Liam Ford Band

Liam Ford

The Band in Black

Watertown Riverfest Appearance

Thursday, July 31

6:00 p.m.

By Greg Ylvisaker of the Watertown Daily Times staff

The Liam Ford Band, winners of the 2008 Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) award for "Best Rockabilly/Americana Band," will be playing at this year's Riverfest on Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. The band consists of a group out of the Milwaukee area. Liam Ford spent some time out West where he and his band, Big Bang Theory, recorded several records.

The band returned to Wisconsin to perform at Summerfest where he learned his father was terminally ill.

"It was a no brainer that I stay here," Ford said. "The two things my dad asked of me were that I take care of my mother and continue to play music."

Once back in Milwaukee, Ford settled on the rockabilly idea for a few reasons. It was a change from the music of Big Bang Theory, which was more funk. This new sound would give the new band a new identity. The other reason was Ford's guitar playing. Their new setlist includes songs from artists like The Stray Cats, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Dean Martin, John Denver and many others.

"I'm a drummer originally, so I'm not the best guitar player in the world," Ford said. "I know the chords and play backup. I grew up with rockabilly, it's fun simple music."

He stopped worrying about a lead guitar player after Frank Calarco, a local guitar legend who played with the band Lazarus Effect in the '80s, agreed to play with Ford. Ford then added WAMI award winning drummer Andy Pagel and veteran bass player Jeff "the Bassman" Horrman, a seasoned musician with over 30 years of experience.

Since coming together the Liam Ford Band has performed at Summerfest and at the WAMI awards. They have also toured other parts of the region, recently returning from performances in Iowa and Minnesota. They also play different clubs throughout the area, recently playing shows in West Bend.

"We're very happy to be busy," Ford said, " It's kind of tough during the winter, but it's festival time now that summer is here, but that goes by pretty quickly too."

Ford has been to Riverfest before. He was playing with the band The Shirelles in the '80s and remembers the people of Watertown being very appreciative.

"I remember going to get a beer after the show, and having a lot of people come up and thank me and say what a good job we did," Ford said. "I was in my 20s then and had a great time. It never gets old playing for people who appreciate what you do."

People are encouraged to come out to Riverfest on July 31 for the award winning sound and unique style of Milwaukee's premiere rockabilly band.