Rhythm on the River offers country music
Written by Kathryn Milstein | | kmilstein@toledofreepress.comLynne Long cannot wait to hear the Scott Thompson Band on June 26.
“I enjoy their music very much. I know people who heard them play at what’s now Maggies [at the Roadhouse], and they thought it was great,” Long said.
The band was recommended to, and will play as part of the Rhythm on the River Art Series at 4 p.m. at the Jerry Wright Pavilion in Grand Rapids.
The program is the second of seven events free to the public that will take place through the first Sunday in October this year. A complete list of events can be found at www.grand rapidsohio.com/Events.htm#Rhythm on the River.
The Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors the series. Long, a board member for the Society, said she has organized the series every year since 1996.
The series, which started about 20 years ago, has taken place at the pavilion since it was built.
“It’s the most beautiful venue, between the canal and river, near sunset,” she said. “It’s only rained on us twice in all the years we’ve been there.”
In charge of entertainment, Long said she knew the keyboardist of the band personally and asked him if the band would like to play.
The keyboardist, Jakob Grimm, said yes.
“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “We really prefer doing smaller concerts, but something like this that brings us back in closer connects with the audience.”
The band has been together since fall 2010. It started when Grimm asked namesake Scott Thompson if he was interested in a project. The group —Thompson, vocals and guitar, Grimm, keyboard, vocals and guitar, Brad Babcock, drums and vocals, Mackenzie Lerchen, fiddle and vocals, and Ryan Babcock, bass — got together and clicked when they played country music.
“It’s a mix of contemporary and classic country songs with a few originals as well,” he said.
Grimm described the music as clean, contemporary country with a focus on emphasizing how the original artist wanted the song performed.
To listen to the band’s music, visit www.scottthompsonband.com.
He said he expects about 100 people to attend the concert but hopes for just fewer than 200.
Long said it is possible to reach that goal.
“We have quite a following now,” she said. “At our first program a couple weeks ago, there were more than 100 people. We’re getting a wider audience all the time.”
Whether it is the free entertainment or the beautiful setting, Long said she will be at concert enjoying the music. After all the band’s motto is: “Country the way it should be.”
Tags: Grand Rapids, Rhythm on the River Art Series, Scott Thompson Band
