Kansas, LoCash to headline Violet Festival
PICKERINGTON – After a one-year hiatus, the Violet Festival is back with national acts Kansas and LoCash headlining and will continue through Saturday.
LoCash, with hits like “Keep in Mind” and “Best Seat in the House,” will perform Friday. The following night features Kansas, known for “Dust in the Wind” and “Carry On Wayward Son,” both staples of 1970s rock radio.
“We do some unexpected things,” LoCash member Chris Lucas said of his band’s set. “It’s high-energy and lots of fun. We love to entertain people.”
Preston Brust is the other half of the duo.
Lucas said the band’s sound is country, but with touches of rock and rhythm and blues. He listed Garth Brooks, Motley Crue, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley as some of his influences.
Lucas said country music is as bigger than ever and that its fans are quite loyal.
“Maybe people don’t hear what they used to,” he said. “But the younger generation is coming on and the music is evolving. People like Keith Urban and Taylor Swift have just brought so much to country music.”
Along with performing its own music, LoCash has also written hits for others, including “You Gonna Fly” for Urban. Lucas talked about the difference between writing a hit for someone else and performing LoCash music onstage.
“Well, we’re never going to complain about someone having a hit with one of our songs,” he said. “But it’s a lot better when you hear your own song playing on the radio.”
The guys in Kansas have been hearing their songs on the radio since the ’70s, when “Dust in the Wind” and “Carry On Wayward Son” were all over the airwaves. New singer/keyboardist Ronnie Platt joined the band about a year ago and said he enjoys singing the classic tunes and more.
“It’s been great singing with Kansas,” he said. “We get along really well and I think that comes across onstage.”
While Kansas is a classic rock band, it has remained contemporary in part because of its music appearing the video games “Rock Band” and “Guitar Hero.” Its music has also been featured on TV shows “Supernatural” and “South Park” and movies “Old School” and “Anchorman.”
The band is also working on an album. Platt said the recording process has changed drastically since the band started.
“The technology is so much better,” he said. “You can record in your bedroom what would cost $10,000 in a recording studio.”
jbarron@lancastereaglegazette.com
740-681-4340
Twitter: @JeffDBarron
If you go
What: The Pickerington Violet Festival.
Where: Toll Gate Middle and Elementary Schools, 12089 Toll Gate Road NW, Pickerington.
When: Starts Wednesday, ends Saturday. LoCash performs Friday, and Kansas performs Saturday.
Cost: $3 Wednesday and Thursday, $5 Friday and Saturday, or four-day passes are $10.
On the web: Visit www.violetfestival.org for more information, including the entertainment schedule.