Darke County Center for the Arts announces musical line-up for the organization’s popular summer fundraiser “Barbecue and Blues” returning to the Greenville Library Lawn on Friday, July 9. The event begins at 6 p.m., and is allied with Downtown Greenville’s First Friday event, held on the second Friday of July due to Independence Day celebrations during the actual first Friday.
Leading off, local favorite Jeff Rearick will entertain with the soft rock stylings which have won him a loyal following. Next up, 3-time Detroit Blues Champion John Latini will take the stage with his engaging presence, energetic personality, and rocking blues. And then, the Noah Wotherspoon Band will take the stage. Noah has been a force to be reckoned with in the blues community since he was a young teenager, blowing away local audiences in the Dayton area before moving on to wow crowds and win accolades at the Chicago Blues Festival and other high-profile events.
Noah is a little guy who is also kind, humble, and all-around nice. But when he takes the stage, he transforms into the blues superstar that he is. His playing is deeply expressive, his guitar breaks adding something to a song rather than dominating it. Noah has also developed into a prolific songwriter, interweaving diverse influences into a unique style rooted in the ever-evolving tradition of the blues while exploring new territories. Noah is eloquent when describing the blues, saying: “The blues is so elemental. . . it’s like earth, water, air, fire and it never seems to die. When played honestly, it’s a direct line to the soul.”
At a very young age, Noah was enthralled with Stevie Ray Vaughn; he then moved on to revel in the recordings of the blues greats that had inspired Stevie Ray, hearing the riffs and basics of the music but also the spiritual underpinnings of the folklore behind it all. First picking up the guitar at age eleven, the young guitarist almost instantly became noticed as a remarkable blues musician. When he was thirteen, Noah opened for Derek Trucks; by age sixteen, he had jammed onstage with Bobby Blue Bland and opened for Leon Russell and Boz Scaggs. At age nineteen, Noah released his first album; in 2015, Noah received “Best Guitarist” at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and has since continued to earn praise as he tours the nation and around the globe. Noah and his trio will be joined by a horn section, adding extra dimension to the pleasure of a summer night spent with friends and neighbors gathering to enjoy music, food, and being together.
Begun over a decade ago, “Barbecue and Blues” attendance has grown steadily through the years; however, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the cancellation of the highly anticipated event last year. According to DCCA Artistic Director David Warner, in response to the forced hiatus of the music and fun, this year’s “Barbecue and Blues” will be “the best ever,” with an unmatched lineup of outstanding artists and food vendors.
Sponsorship for the musical performances is provided by Matt and Angie Arnold, George and Becky Luce, Gail Overholser & Zechar Baily Funeral Home. The event venue is provided by Greenville Public Library; other sponsors are Rumpke, Sue Bowman of HER Realtors and the John R. and Miriam H. Knick Fund. Proceeds from “Barbecue and Blues” support DCCA programming, helping make possible DCCA’s Arts In Education program as well as the Family Theatre Series and a summer theatre residency by Missoula Children’s Theatre.
Food vendors include Merchant House, Nacho Pig, and Wholly Smokes Barbecue, with Moeller Brew Barn and Heidelberg Distributing providing adult beverages; soft drinks will also be available. Tickets for “Barbecue and Blues” are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under; food and drink are not included in the ticket price, which is a donation to DCCA to support the arts in our community. Tickets can be purchased by contacting DCCA at 937-547-0908 or online at www.darkecountyarts.org, and are on sale at Greenville Public Library, Readmore’s Hallmark, and Darke County Welcome Center.