RHUM ACADEMY OF MUSIC’S “CELEBRATE THE GUITAR” WEEKEND SUCCESS!

RHUM ACADEMY OF MUSIC’S “CELEBRATE THE GUITAR” WEEKEND SUCCESS!

“It takes everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future.” That future got a little bit rosier for some Howard County residents in need this past weekend.

Rhum Academy of Music, 110 North Washington Street, downtown Kokomo, held it’s first annual Guitar Competition and Concert Series called “Celebrate the Guitar.” It was a three-day event that focused on music and the positive effect it has on our community. All proceeds from the event were donated to the United Way of Howard County. The Academy raised over $800.00 to help those in these trying times.

The event began Thursday night with musician Eric Hyman, bass instructor at the Academy performing solo. Eric is an extraordinary player, extremely stylistic and he skillfully managed to captivate the audience from the first note and gently held them spellbound until the final melodies danced from the ceilings.

Following Eric T-Bird Blues Band featuring J.T. Boogie took the stage and blew the house away. T-Bird (of the up & coming band Big Betty) gave us the blues as they should be played. From the heart and full tilt. After three standing ovations and shouting ourselves hoarse, they took their final curtain call and left the stage, leaving us wanting more. This is a band that will knock your proverbial socks off, clean them, fold them and put them away neatly in your drawer! Check them out!

As if T-Bird wasn’t enough, Drop Four band finished the evening in fine fashion. These guys grabbed their instruments and did not look back. They are a divine mix of punk, rock, rapand acoustic. They rocked the house from the moment they stepped on stage and showed us diverse, entertaining and some action packed fun!

Friday night Gary Rhum, Eric Hyman, Jake Walden & Patrick Hagenow, all instructors at the Academy, gave us a night of improvisation and perspiration. Though attendance was minimal, they played as if the house was filled to the rafters. Thank you guys for giving us an evening of exploration and creativity, for sharing your gifted talents and for being an inspiration to us all.

Saturday night was the Big Kahuna, the Grand Poobah: The bag with All The Marbles! The night started with the guitar competition. Participants included Kelby Chesshire, Jake Walden, Kody Kennedy, Nick Johnson, Sean Sorrell, Mitchell White and Brad DeCarlo.

There were two categories, People’s Choice Popular Vote & Judging Panel Selection (Judges were Andy Kennedy & Winston Howard). Brad DeCarlo was the overall winner of BOTH the popular vote AND Panel Vote! Congratulations to Brad and all the participants, you all were winners. It was an amazing display of talent.

After a short intermission, the concert series began. Highlights included “A Teacup Orchestra” featuring Gary Rhum & Eric Hyman. The intricacies of this duo are indescribable. They make playing complex, syncopated, rhythmically stimulating music look almost easy! Put this group on your calendar of must-sees!

Following the TCO, sound designer Paul Miller took the stage and blew us all away. His original computer-generated electronica music was not only amazing, but Paul was very eloquent in talking about the processes involved in making music and how important music was to our spiritual growth. Check out his website: http://justplainpaul.com/

Headlining the event was one of the premier bands in the Midwest. Kokomo’s own Ecliptic Switch mesmerized the audience with their intricate and articulate performance. Switch consists of Tim Boor, Andy Kennedy, Winston Howard, Phil Donaldson & Scott Titus. This is a band that will go far in the competitive world of music, they are a testimony to hard work, dedication, professionalism and some extraordinary talent! They can be heard on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/eclipticswitch1

The final event was a raffle drawing for a beautiful Breedlove guitar provided by Rhum Academy. The $1100.00 guitar was won by Brandon Penning. Congratulations to Brandon!

Thank you to Event sponsors for your special generosity: Pulse Music, Coca Cola, Shoffner Kitchen Distributors & Fortune Management. A special shout out to United Way’s Alison Brantley, to the Academy’s Eric Hyman for all their determination and hard work, and to Gary & Jessica Rhum for making the Academy dream a reality!

JR McIntire
Rhum Academy of Music & Performing Arts Center