The Van Wert County Courthouse

Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

Nashville Crush 2014 Rib Fest headliners

VW Rib Fest Committee information

The music scene at the Van Wert Rib Fest this year promises to be the best one so far, according to Larry Lee, executive director of the Van Wert Area Convention and Visitors Bureau – host organization of Rib Fest, and Stuart Jewett, chairman of the Rib Fest Entertainment Committee. The event will be held Friday and Saturday, August 8-9, this year.

Bands who will entertain at this year's Van Wert Rib Fest include (clockwise, from top left) Nashville Crush, The Earthquakers, Scotty Bratcher, Bad Advice and Jackpot. (photos submitted)
Bands who will entertain at this year’s Van Wert Rib Fest include (clockwise, from top left) Nashville Crush, The Earthquakers, Scotty Bratcher, Bad Advice and Jackpot. (photos submitted)

Starting at 5 p.m. Friday, August 8, Van Wert’s own Bad Advice will play 90 minutes of blues-based classic rock.  Led by Kevin Mendenhall, the band performs a variety of artists, including many great blues artists, early soulful rock and a touch of reggae. “They will start the party off on the right note,” Jewett said.

According to Lee, the Rib Fest Committee was so pleased with the turnout last year, its members voted to bring big-time entertainment to the Friday night event, as well as the usual Saturday night show.

“The crowd really showed their appreciation for The Earthquakers, who were last year’s Saturday night band, so we decided to bring them back for Friday night this year,” Lee noted.

The Earthquakers is a four-man rock-n-roll band from Erie, Pennsylvania, that has a huge following in western Ohio. The Earthquakers will take the stage from 7-10 p.m. Friday for what is sure to be a great show.

After The Earthquakers rattle the Rib Fest, a band local to Van Wert and surrounding areas called Jackpot will rock out the rest of Friday night, playing from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Jackpot will be performing its own unique blend of rock covers and original jam tunes.

“These guys are really, really good,” Jewett said. “Scott Kishler, the lead guitarist from Van Wert, can play a really good rock and roll guita (and) the band is filled with great talent.”

Opening the entertainment on Saturday will be Double Kik, a well-known group from Van Wert and Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Playing everything from the Beatles to Black Key, the band covers it all.  Double Kik will be playing from 5:30-6:30 Saturday evening.

Nashville Crush, a regional band new to the Van Wert Rib Fest, but well-known over a large area, will be the headline band for Saturday night. This seven-member group plays a fusion of country and rock music provided by some of the best musicians in the business.

“They put on a fantastic show and people who admit they don’t like country are happy to hear about Nashville Crush’s presence at Rib Fest,” said Jewett. “Everybody that has heard this band thinks they’re great.”

Nashville Crush will take the stage at 7 p.m.

Following Nashville Crush will be The Scotty Bratcher Band from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m  For those with an appreciation for Blues and blues-based rock, Scotty Bratcher will bring everyone to the stage who wasn’t there already.

“He is literally one of the finer guitarists in this region,” Jewett noted. “When he plays Led Zeppelin’s ‘No Quarter’, he definitely shows his skill as a guitar virtuoso.”

Bratcher has played with, and opened for, names like Ted Nugent, Little Texas, Blue Oyster Cult, Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, Chris Duarte, Anthony Gomes, Foghat, Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie and Wayne Baker Brooks, Bob Margolin, Eddie “the Chief” Clearwater, Lonnie Mack, Walter Trought, .38 Special, Styx, Peter Frampton, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tinsley Ellis, Lou Graham of Foreigner, Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band, Delbert McClinton, Lee Roy Parnell and many more.

“He will rock your socks off,” Jewett said.

Lee said the committee has worked very hard to bring quality entertainment to the Rib Fest without requiring those attending to pay a  large cover charge.  Rib Fest will open at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 8.  Admission will be $5 per person with those under the age of 12 being admitted free.  On Saturday, August 9, the gates will open at 11 a.m. with a full day of great fun and entertainment.  Admission on Saturday will be $2 per person until 7 p.m., when the admission will be $5.  Again children under 12 will be be admitted free all day.

POSTED: 07/10/14 at 2:58 am. FILED UNDER: News