BHS Alums McCord, Starkey, Gallagher and Harrison All to Perform Benedum Festival
By Julie Perine on July 11, 2014 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
After a successful Teen Night, the Benedum Festival is under way today at Bridgeport City Park. In addition to two days of carnival rides, games and other attractions, the festival will feature live entertainment this evening and Saturday.
Taking the stage at 6 p.m. today is The Weedrags – an Appalchian power trio from Washington County, Pa., blending bluegrass, country, swing and old-time music .
At 8 p.m., BHS alum Zach McCord will offer his hometown a sampling of his pop vocal and guitar talents. McCord recently won Nashville Dream Recording Contest, which was open to amateur recording artists nationwide. He will soon make his first album at Dark Horse Recording Studio in Nashville, but first, he’s pumped to make the Bridgeport appearance.
“The Benedum Festival is one of the staples of our community. In a way, it’s part of who we are - and to be able to be one of the performers at such a significant event is such an honor,” McCord said. “I'll be performing mostly my own music. Everyone who follows the originals I've posted to YouTube will hear some familiar sounds, but this will also be the debut for quite a few new songs.”
McCord said the festival will actually help him decide which new songs will be recorded at Dark Horse Studio.
“I’m excited to see which songs get the best reception because I'll have to narrow the list down to the final six that will appear on the album soon!”
Saturday’s lineup includes additional BHS alumni Lauren Starkey, Aaron Gallagher and Greg Harrison, performing at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively.
“My band and I are just excited about the show,” Gallagher said. “Some of them have never been to West Virginia, so I am excited for them to see where I grew up and get to experience playing music for the people who shaped me as a person.”
Most of the band’s show will feature Gallagher’s original country/pop music, some from his latest EP, “Take My Hand,” recorded earlier this year in Nashville.
Harrison - who plays the local area on a regular basis, including a recent appearance at the Bridgeport Arts Council’s Summer Jams series – says the Benedum Festival stage is a special one.
“(This is) my hometown. A lot of people who don't make it out to the different bars and restaurants and don't get a chance to see us play will have that opportunity with their whole family,” he said. “Also, as a band, we want to play more festivals across the country, so given the privilege to headline this festival is a great experience and we are truly honored and blessed that the Benedum Festival staff has given us this opportunity.”
Harrison said he and his band hope to introduce more and more originals and in that process, they depend highly on fan feedback, provided at such venues as the Benedum Festival.
“We don't want to just be a cover band anymore,” he said. “And there is no better feeling in the world than playing an original tune you have worked on - and not sure if it's any good - and then you hear the crowd sing it back to you. That’s an unbelievable experience.”
The festival stage will also welcome the popular area dance band, “2nd Street” in the 6 p.m. time slot.
Festival Chair Jason McCall said he is quite pleased with this year’s entertainment line-up, heavy on hometown artists and featuring a range of genres to appeal to festival goers of all ages.
Editor's Note: Pictured on the cover is Greg Harrison. Above is Zach McCord, Aaron Gallagher and Harrison.
See the entire Benedum Festival schedule HERE.
Julie Perine can be reached at 304-848-7200, julie@connect-bridgeport or follow @JuliePerine on Twitter.
