Who's Playing the Wing-Offs?

[Jim Price]

I haven't heard a lot about this year's Lakemont Park Wing-Off's yet. Who is playing them this year? I know Fat Vinny and Square One are in on them, who else?

[facingwest]

How do you get to be a part of it?

[Jim Price]

Based on past years, Lakemont Park usually starts booking talent for the Wing-Off's in late winter/early Spring (usually March). Melissa has been the contact person over there; it's likely too late to get in on this year's Wing-Off's, but for next year, you would want to contact the Park around March.

I had heard an ugly rumor that they might try karaoke for entertainment at a Wing-Off or two. I hope this is not the case; nothing would make me rowf up good wings quicker than some lousy karaoke singer massacring a good song - hell, this would make me sick quicker than that smell of rancid cooking grease two years ago!

[Big Jim]

Karaoke?? Yuk!!

If they decide to do that, let's get a group of musicians to go, and everyone brings an acoustic guitar and all play & sing together in a nearby pavillion. We can have our wings and entertainment too!! Who's in??

[songsmith]

I'm there.----->JMS

[Jim Price]

I don't have the complete schedule, but here's what I do have for the Lakemont Park Wing-Off's this year:

July 15 - Square One
July 22 - Backdraft
July 29 - ???
August 5 - Your Dad's Friends
August 12 - ???
August 19 - Fat Vinny & the Wiseguys

If you're interested in the State College Wing-Offs, a.k.a. the Tussey Mountain Wing Challenges at Tussey Mountain Amphitheater, here is their schedule of performing bands:

July 15 - Foxxy
July 22 - Sweet Pea Felty (this is former Badlees singer/guitarist Jeff Feltenberger's new band)
July 29 - Lefton Red
August 5 - Cliff Turner & the Afterburners
August 12 - Velveeta
August 19 - JR & Katie
August 26 - The Badlees

[HurricaneBob]

We didnt make the cut this year. After years or wingoffs that we played(and im talking Hurricanes since the beginning when the firemen runnned it) I heard they wanted to keep the young folk away! (bitch now) And the 18 yr old girl magnets that we are were just tooooooo sexy for wingoffs!

[songsmith]

Then I guess there's no reason for me to go anymore. Between rancid cooking oil, the Fun Police, and the deletion of my buds from the entertainment lineup, well, poke me with a fork, 'cause I'm done with that bull. Come jam with me at the Post tonight, Hurricanes! ----->JMS

[Jim Price]

Yeah, I don't know what gives, it seems somebody is always devising new ways to throw a wrench into the Wing-Off's, whether it was the outright ban on kids two years ago to this alleged attempt to attract less young people to it. If it ain't broken, why fix it?

I plan on taking in at least two of the Tussey Wing Challenges this year myself; I hear that event goes well and the lines are generally shorter.

[BDR]

Yeah, I attended several of the Lakemont wing-offs last year and if there's one thing I noticed, it was that younger people hate live music, cold beer and hot wings...

...no wait, uh, never mind...this whole situation kind of sux.

r:>)

[ToonaRockGuy]

I sent an e-mail to Lakemont Park basically blasting their choice of bands and actually got a reply back...I basically inferred that the Wing-Off organizers apparently didn't want the business of anyone under 40, judging by the band lineup I knew about, and letting them know that I would not be attending, since I was under 40.

*Disclaimer: When I sent the e-mail, I was not in any way disrespecting any of the bands that were booked. I know and am friends with members of all bands involved in the Wing-Offs, and I respect all the bands involved. I was just commenting on the inferred age factor.*

Here's what I got back...

Kevin:
We are in receipt of your email.
Please be aware that we welcome ALL ages of guests to this event.
We have guests who would like for our entertainment to be big band, country, blue grass, oldies, classic rock, and even "gangster rap".
We have chosen something that we believe to be "middle of the road" and our public relations director (who is 32 years old) resents you calling the music that she grew up with "oldies".
Hope that you can make it to the wing offs!
Barry Kumpf
General Manager

Funny, since I'm 35. I guess that songs by The Beatles, The Stones, The Byrds, The Monkees, Mitch Ryder, and The McCoys must have been reclassified when I wasn't looking. But, what do I know, I'm just a lowly radio jock...

[lonewolf]

Who are the ??? and why are they playing twice?

I never heard of "Your Dad's Friends", but the others seem appropriate for playing a wing-off. Ya never know, the ??? bands might balance the ticket.

[Jim Price]

I still plan to attend most of the Wing-Off's. While I would have liked to have seen a little more variety in the bands chosen, I'd still rather have this slate of live bands than karaoke or deejays. If the Wing-Off's ever go that route, they can kiss my patronage goodbye.

I don't think the band slate will necessarily diminish the amount of young people in attendance, at least not drastically. Most people, young people included, still go to the Wing-Off's for the social aspects, food and beer. As long as there is some sort of band there, the picnic tables in front of the stage will likely have a crowd. As long as law enforcement doesn't suddenly decide to ban kids under 21 like 2 years ago, thye Wing-Off's will probably still see their crowds.

[songsmith]

I think "Your Dad's Friends" is Roger Corey's oldies band.---->JMS

[esa]

Or you can do what I've done before. On occasion I've gotten pissed seriously with the wing people or just had enough with the downright rudeness of the patrons....I've gone across the stree to the white house bar...they have awesome wings and great purple shcool bus drinks. p'raps we could jam in their parking lot?