As the Rocker Chic Danette and I started our pack-in to the beautiful meadow-type setting of Brookstock Events this past Saturday in Dover, Arkansas, we were serenaded by the beautiful voice and acoustic sounds of TC Stevenson.
In case you didn’t know- TC Stevenson is the son of BW Stevenson, who wrote and sang the hit songs “My Maria” and also “Shambala”, which was also covered by one of my favorite bands growing up- Three Dog Night! TC proved that the apple doesn’t fall far from the musical family tree this past Saturday.
TC, who’s been playing for over 25 years, started Brookstock’s Music Fest in style by offering incredible acoustic versions of hits from everything from classic country to classic rock and blues. Having toured all 50 states TC is a true traveling human music box of sound excellence. Like a true musical master he stuck with songs in his vocal register. For extra guitar flair Kish Moody of Vintage lent his outstanding guitar skills to add even more depth to flush out new energy from these classic songs.
With the threat of thunderstorms and lightning in the forecast they could have shut down the event right then and there, and we still would’ve felt like we got our monies worth for what we had already witnessed!
But the music never stops at Brookstock! For the next eight hours the sun and stars shown brightly over every band we witnessed during Music Fest 2024!
THE ANGEL OF BROOKSTOCK!
Staying in your vocal range as a singer is one valuable lesson for performers to remember, but what do you do when there’s really no limit to your vocal range? Well, you listen to Tina Cossey that’s what you do! The 35-acre concert venue of Brookstock still wasn’t large enough to contain the powerful range and vocal beauty of Tina Cossey!
The Tina Cossey Band is a five-piece powerhouse band playing blues, bluesy-rock, country, and also soul. The Five-piece band includes Josh Parks on lead guitar, Ryan Hinman on bass guitar, Jared Admire on rhythm and lead guitar and Darius Blanton on drums.
Both the band and Tina mesmerized the Brookstock crowd with their take on some of the greatest songs ever recorded, along with two new singles that went over like honey to a honey-bee crowd in attendance. With Tina’s vocals ranging from Janis Joplin (nailed it on Ball And Chain) to Dolly Parton she had no struggle with hitting the right note on any song she sang. I was also impressed with Josh’s Santana-style guitar tone and Jared’s mean slide guitar playing.
I also liked their “Called 2 Duty Power N Purpose” campaign movement materials on display to help educate and raise awareness across the state in the fight against Opiods!
ALMOST GUILTY FOR LIKING ALMOST GUILTY!
After witnessing a freight-train of talent from The Tina Cossey Band it was a bit of a surprise when a bunch of kids then took to the Brookstock stage and started setting up. Were they playing hookie from school? Well, it’s Saturday so maybe they just took a wrong turn going to the mall or something…
Hey, the kids are alright as Roger Daltrey of The Who would say! Almost Guilty is a five-piece rock and metal band from Saline County that draws inspiration from 90s Grunge, 2000s Alternative Rock, and also Metal genres. The band features Nicole Goss on lead vocals and bass, Jillian Carter on lead vocals, piano and clarinet, and also founding member Tanner Erwin on Drums, along with Aidan Kerr on guitars.
With songs combining elements of Paramore, Greta Van Fleet, Disturbed, Collective Soul, and Linkin Park I didn’t quite know what I’d hear next from this up-and-coming band. Between the sassiness of Goss and the guttural growls from Carter the Brookstock Events crowd didn’t know what to expect next either, which only made you want to listen to them more! It was like watching a sitcom with a kick ass soundtrack- You couldn’t quite concentrate on the plot, but you didn’t want the heavy metal riffs to stop either! Whatever it was it sure beat the hell out of going to the Mall!
After Almost Guilty, The Rocker Chic Danette and I took at break to stop by just a few of the great vendors on hand during Music Fest, including Texas Dave’s Food Company, D and D Honey, Luna Aesthetics & Wellness and Witchy Shit Jewelry, Spells, and Décor. We also checked out the cool Merch stands from the bands performing as well as sporting our latest Rocker Gods all-over shirts at the event.
Zach Glover and Vintage
Bring The Old Into The New!
Zach Glover and Vintage then hit the stage for a tour de force in sight and sound that left the music-craving crowd and The Rocker Chic and I wanting more! As their Facebook band page slogan states: “We are here to Rock your life with live performances that will blow you away!” And that’s exactly what happened when the band- consisting of Zach Glover on lead vocals and guitar, Taylor Bellott on drums, David Tidwell on bass, and Kish Moody on Guitar- locked into perfect sync as a band and delivered the goods.
The Rocker Chic and I had met this band briefly while attending a recent concert in Little Rock. Once we told them that we lived in Dover they immediately got excited- telling us about playing at Brookstock Events’ Music Fest! In the back of my mind I was thinking, “What if they’re not that good- What should I write?…” LOL All I can say is it takes a lot to shut this Rocker up, but their outstanding performance this past Saturday still has me speechless.
Little did I know this was part of a one-two punch of brilliance that I would get at Music Fest. Up next was another guitar gun-slinger by the name of Chris Baker! I thought that If this is the OK Corral of guitar gun-slingers then I’m more than happy to subject my ears to the showdown—Let’s Get It On!
But it wasn’t a showdown as much as it was a mutual respect showcase between band talents, as all guitarists and bandmembers could be seen supporting each other and checking out and enjoying each other’s abilities and arsenal of sound.
Zach Glover And Vintage
Set List
Rock and Roll
My Morning Song/Virginia
Red
Hard Score
Colors
Stay With Me
Black Rose
Arizona
The Well
Whipping Post
The Chris Baker Band -
1,000 % Energy - All The Time!
The Chris Baker Band is a loud and proud, electric four-piece band from central Arkansas. 23-year-old lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Baker has been heavily influenced by many artists, such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, and as diverse as Merle Haggard and Black Stone Cherry. Playing alongside Chris Baker were his band members Gary Collie (Drummer), Chad Oxley (Bass player), and Zach Smith (rhythm guitarist) who was no slouch on lead guitar as well and giving cool bending the note faces! Lol
What we witnessed from The Chris Baker Band was exactly what they promised- 1000% energy, all the time!
But wait! Five great bands later and we still have two more great bands to go? As the old Woodstock saying goes… “Wow, we must be in heaven, man…”
Dark From Day One -
Killer - Riffic and Terriffic!
By checking out their website Russellville natives “Dark From Day One” have a cool outlook on life in general: “In the beginning, we are born into this earth – innocent; not knowing the pressure of stress nor the evils that humanity is capable of. We just know to embrace life. Our hope is that it will never be anything short of extraordinary… Therefore, we are in the dark from day one.”
The band at Brookstock Music Fest consisted of Truman Fuller on Vocals, Natal John on guitar, Rob Nadji on guitar, and Johnny Degood on drums.
The band describes their music as “uplifting, killer-riffic music that inspires the listener to hope and love.” Dark From Day One boasts a sound that fits well with bands like Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace "but with more of a Skillet/Red attitude."
After forming in Russellville in 2006, Dark From Day One set out to find their musical direction, play shows and hone their craft. In the Fall of 2008 they entered a contest to have their music placed in the Lionsgate film “The Punisher: War Zone”. They came out ranking in the top 20 out of 4,300 national bands and dubbed an Official Judges Favorite for the contest!
It was only fitting that Dark From Day One take the Brookstock Events Stage... well... in the dark! The setting provided a unique vibe for the band and seemed to fit their music perfectly. Even in the low light The Rocker Chic and I were still able to capture some interesting pics of this great band in action!
The mood only fell into the groove and improved the performance of this great local band that has helped put Russellville, Dover and the River Valley area on the map as a music venue destination and as a musical talent resource for the music industry!
DARK FROM DAY ONE SET LIST
Elysium
Find A Way
Animal
Crawl
New Addiction
My Surrender
Figure You Out (Nickelback)
Johnny (Solo)
Rob (Solo)
How Could I
Giants
Any Given Sin Battles
The War Within And Wins!
“Inner struggle incites outward expression” is how the closing band Any Given Sin describes their music, and I couldn’t agree more! The Maryland quartet consisting of Victor Ritchie (vocals), Mike Conner (guitar), Rich Stevenson (bass), and Mike Showalter (drums) put these unrestrained emotions inside arena-size anthems with bold hooks and bludgeoning riffs! The result is catchy hard rock punctuated by metallic intensity and alternative intimacy! This great formula has blossomed into nearly 22 million streams, while also buzzing at radio stations at the same time. Any Given Sin has built a devout fan base, and have perfected their pummeling and powerful style on their 2023 full-length debut LP “War Within”!
By sharing their trials, tribulations, and triumphs in the lyrics and delivery of their songs, Any Given Sin ultimately offer a communal catharsis for fans to partake in. “When you listen to us, we hope you feel like you’re not alone,” Ritchie says. “No matter what you’re dealing with, the music shows us a reminder that someone hears you.” Conner adds, “A lot of it may sound dark and depressing, but there’s a positive message -- “Keep going!”
The Darkened backdrop behind the lighted stage at Brookstock Events provided its own example of this awareness of the positive energy from the music, lyrics and communal gathering enjoyed by the fortunate crowd witnessing this day of pure musical magic from all the great performers of Music Fest 2024. SHINE ON! -James and Danette West
ANY GIVEN SIN SET LIST
War Within
Another Life
Calm Before The Storm
Cold Bones
Dynamite
Insidious
Still Sinking
The Way I Say Goodbye
Died In Your Arms Tonight
House On Fire
