Smoke Rise goes on, despite rain

by Curt Cashour
For The Post

The rain might be falling heavily this spring season, but thanks to covered outdoor venues, music festivals continue to entertain the masses.

Glouster's Smoke Rise Ranch and Resort, 6751 Hunter Don Rd., will host the first annual "SpringJam Music Festival" today and Saturday. The event also will feature camping and vendors selling everything from arts and crafts to vintage clothing and posters.

Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra will headline this year's festival with a performance Saturday night. Using the same set lists and song arrangements from past Dead shows, the seven-piece band replicates the sound and feel of classic Dead performances, keyboard player Scott Larned said. True to form, Dark Star shows are jamming marathons that typically last four to five hours.

"It started as a side project and just escalated into what it is now," Larned said, referring to the band's evolution.

Singer/songwriter David Gans also takes the stage tonight. Gans, who scored a morning radio hit with his 1998 single "Monica Lewinsky," uses an acoustic guitar and looping device to mold together a mixture of covers and original material. The result is what Gans refers to as, "psychedelic country folk rock with a little humor."

Regional act John Mullins Band will perform tonight and Saturday. Tonight's performance will consist of an acoustic set featuring Mullins and Mullins Band Guitarist Joe Stone. The entire Mullins Band will play Saturday night, with Gordon Crawford filling in on drums for Steve Frye and Rob McCormick handling keyboard duties for Nate Hollman. Frye is sidelined with health problems and Hollman is out of the country.

Local/regional rockers Peach Melba also will perform tonight and Saturday. Percussionist Jim Embrescia said that people can expect to hear many of the 25 songs the band has yet to release, as well as favorites such as "Eight Miles to Memphis."

"SpringJam" is the brainchild of concert promoter Sharon Rearick. She said that the number of bands at the event has much to do with the camaraderie among the performers.

"Once you get a couple of key jam bands committed to playing an event, then you have all of their friends calling and wanting to play and it turns into a festival," she said.

Festival gates open at noon today, but the music doesn't start until 5 p.m. Peach Melba opens the event and will be followed by Matthew Ableson, Uncle Sam's Dream Machine, Station, John Mullins and Joe Stone, David Gans and The Shantee.

On Saturday, the music starts at 1 p.m. Toast kicks off the festivities and will be followed by Station, Uncle Sam's Dream Machine, The Shantee, Peach Melba, John Mullins Band and Dark Star Orchestra.

Tickets for the festival are $30 in advance and $40 at the gate and include parking and camping fees. Advance tickets can be purchased at the ranch. For more information, call 800-292-1732 or visit the "SpringJam" Web site at www.angelfire.com/oh3/SmokeRise.