Liam Ford
&
The Band in Black
Watertown Riverfest Appearance
Thursday, July 31
6:00 p.m.
Liam
Ford Band website
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.