Entertainment at Westmoreland Fair

Entertainment | Concerts | Arena Events | Car Show | Daily Events & Attractions

George Lucas

Visit the website: www.georgecountry.com

Who is GEORGE LUCAS?
 
If a definition were ever written for Webster's Dictionary, it might look something like this:
 
George Lucas (noun); country music singer/songwriter/performer from Windber, Pennsylvania rooted in traditional country music and 1970's arena rock; known for energetic, explosive, family-friendly performances
 
It is no coincidence that George is defined by music.  It was, is and always will be a very important part of who he is.
 
"I was raised on country music.  Every day when I was little, mom and dad listened to our local hometown radio station.  They played the greats like Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn and Johnny Cash.   Even Elvis!  It was like the soundtrack to my life!"
 
George, an only child, often spent time by himself and found a close friend in music.
 
"I had a record player that I played every day.  The first records I remember listening to were The Beatles, The Monkees, The Jackson Five and, perhaps my biggest early influence, The Partridge Family!  I used to play along with my toy guitar and wonder what it would be like to be Keith Partridge!"
 
Then came his teenage years.
 
"As I got older, I started listening to KISS, Queen, Aerosmith, Journey, Night Ranger and the other big arena rock bands.  When I started taking guitar lessons, I told my guitar teacher to forget 'Mary Had A Little Lamb.'  Teach me 'Cat Scratch Fever!'"
 
The next logical step was to form a band.
 
"I played in a bunch of bands that never left the garage, or just barely!  The times I actually played in front of people, I loved it!"
 
College and a career came next.  Not surprisingly, both involved music.
 
"I went to college to be a radio broadcaster and that was what I became.  I spent most of my adult life spinning discs and talking on the radio.  It was a great way to make a living and, eventually, led me to try and make music for other DJ's to play!"
 
While working for a country music radio station, George met a long list of today's biggest names.  Among those were Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, Clint Black, Trace Adkins and Kenny Chesney, to name a few.  That was the jump-start he needed to pursue his own dreams.
 
"They were all so encouraging.  I would ask them how to get started, and while they all suggested different paths, they never discouraged me.  I hope one day to thank them all for their kind words.  It's what's kept me going all these years."
 
Building on the release of a CD of his own music and an expanding fan base, George plans to continue to, as he says, "spread the Gospel according to George!"
 
"We have moved beyond my home state of Pennsylvania and have traveled to Maryland, New York, West Virginia and South Carolina.  I have also played in Tennessee, Indiana, Texas and Kentucky in years past.  As I see it, we have 41 more states to go!"
 
So who is GEORGE LUCAS? 
 
"I'm just a guy that loves to play music and make people smile.  Come see us and write your own definition!"

RETURN TO TOP

Saddle Up

Visit their website: www.saddleupband.com

Today's music scene is very different than it was years ago. Once in awhile something special comes along. The five guys known as "Saddle Up" have become the areas most popular country band packing venues wherever they play. You never know what’s going to happen at a Saddle Up show but one thing that is certain you will stay entertained. It’s always very high energy and captivating. These guys love and appreciate their fans. At the end of the night everyone feels like they have been part of the show. The band and the crowd become one."We understand that the fans that enable us to do what we love. That's why every show is important to us." A Saddle Up show never ends with the familiar chat, "one more song, one more song."
   
Singer Mike Garris makes sure everyone gets his individual attention as he makes his way through the crowd, jumping on tables and chairs working the crowd like an artist does a piece of clay. Lead guitarist Jay Pfeifer has been playing for 25+ years and has the chops to prove it. His solid leads are definitely a crowd pleaser. Bass guitarist, Tom Agnolucci, has certainly been around the block more times than he cares to admit, but you won't find a more solid bass player anywhere else. As the oldest member, he and Brandon Barnhart, the youngest, form a tight, driving bottom end for the band to build upon. Although the youngest member, Barnhart plays like a seasoned vet. Recently Saddle Up has added John Parrendo on the fiddle. John was recently on tour with Chris Cagle and has shared the stage with Blackhawk and Charlie Daniels just to name a few... He adds even more excitement to a show that has already been known as a high energy act.
 
They have performed at the Post Gazette Pavillion before with such national acts as Brad Paisley, who, himself has become a fan and developed a friendship, Kenny Chesney, Josh Turner, Taylor Swift, Rascall Flatts, Jason Aldean, and many more.
 
A schedule of their upcoming performances can be viewed on their website at www.saddleupband.com. If you're looking for a great night out filled with great musicians and great music come see a saddle up show. It's a show you won't forget...Saddle Up!!!

Abby Abbondanza

Visit his website: www.abbyabbondanza.com

Sometimes a departure from the familiar is the only way an artist can truly move forward.  Abby Abbondanza certainly believes that to be true, which is why the former Povertyneck Hillbillies singer is focused on only one thing these days - his new solo career. 
 
Once the Hillbillies called it quits, Abbondanza wasted little time worrying about the prospect of “starting over.”  Instead, he chose to embrace the opportunity to finally write and record the material he’d been saving for himself.  With a new album recently completed and due out in November, Abbondanza confesses the approach has been a refreshing change.
 
“I’ve always cared more about being a good songwriter than anything else,” says Abbondanza, who wrote or co-wrote nine of the album’s eleven tracks.  “Working now as a solo artist has really allowed me to explore some different directions that I wasn’t necessarily comfortable with before, so this whole process has been kind of liberating for me,” he adds.
 
Abbondanza, known to friends simply as “Abby,” didn’t begin writing music or even playing guitar until his late twenties.  Growing up in a small town 50 miles outside of Pittsburgh, where a career in music was about as likely as finding a Cleveland Browns fan, Abbondanza spent much of his time hunting, fishing and playing baseball and football.  In fact, at one point the brawny singer accepted a baseball scholarship and played two seasons at Penn State.
 
One chance night in a karaoke bar would change his career path forever, though.
 
“I won a karaoke contest singing ‘Friends in Low Places,’” he remembers.  “I had never even sung in front of anybody before.  The next thing I knew I was in a band and we were selling records like crazy.”
 
Ok, it wasn’t quite that easy.  The band Abbondanza joined in 2002 was the PovertyNeck Hillbillies, regional stars in western Pennsylvania that were just starting to enjoy national acclaim when the group eventually folded in early 2008.
 
The Hillbillies had already amassed a dedicated fan base along the East Coast, however, thanks largely in part to their energetic live performances.  Based on that reputation, and little more than word-of-mouth buzz and local radio, the band sold over 60,000 copies of their two independently released albums.  It probably didn’t hurt that they were named the Official Band of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006, either.
 
These days, when Abbondanza isn’t writing, recording or performing, he can probably still be found in the studio – the television studio.  The singer hosts the popular “Bullseye Outdoor Adventures” show, a hunting and fishing program that can be seen on the Sportsman’s Channel.  Aside from the exposure of being broadcast in more than 32 million homes, it also provides a truly unique opportunity to mix business with pleasure.
 
“I can’t think of a better job than getting paid to play music for people,” Abbondanza muses, “but getting paid to host a hunting show would be a close second!” he laughs.
 
Now, with the upcoming release of his first solo project, Promised Land, Abbondanza admits his career has entered into uncharted territory once again.  “It’s kind of scary baring your soul and hoping everyone else likes something you’ve created,” he admits, “but I can’t wait to get out on the road and see the fans’ reactions to the new songs.”
 
Promised Land is certainly the most diverse music Abbondanza has ever made, an accomplishment he credits to a deeper and more mature collection of songs to draw from. 
 
“For six months after the band broke up, I spent most of my time focusing on my songwriting,” he reveals.  The result is an album that he feels confident old and new fans will certainly appreciate.
 
“The thing is, I’m still a fan at heart,” Abbondanza says.  “I know what it takes to make the audience connect with a performer.  I’m still excited when one of my favorite singers comes out with something new, so I hope my fans are the same way.”
 
With a renewed sense of independence and his first solo album on the way, the “Promised Land” is indeed starting to look like familiar territory once again for Abby Abbondanza.

RETURN TO TOP

Penn Trafford Community Band

Visit their website: www.ptcommunityband.org

The Penn-Trafford Community Band (PTCB) started in the fall of 2007 as the 20 member Penn Township Alumni Band.  In the winter of 2007, it expanded its membership and performance venues to become the Penn Trafford Community Band.  The PTCB is part of the Penn Trafford Adult Education Program, and welcomes participants of all ages.
 
In only it’s third summer performance season, the  PTCB is characterized by performing music that is as enjoyable to play as it is to hear, including popular marches, big-band sounds, patriotic and inspirational songs, and TV and movie themes.
 
The 55 participants in the Penn Trafford Community Band range in age from 13 to 73, with approximately 20% being students, from middle school to college.
 
Under the leadership of band director Bill Balawajder, and the founder / manager, Ron Rometo, the PTCB has between 10 – 12 performances each summer, including performances at Kennywood, Twin Lakes, and Ligonier.  Other summer venues include area community days, church festivals, special occasions, organizational gatherings, and performances at several personal care homes and senior citizens groups.  At Christmas, the PTCB performs at several community Light-up Nights, and is scheduled to perform at PPG Place in Downtown Pittsburgh during the 2010 holiday season.
 
Additional information, including contact information to join the PTCB or to have them perform at your function can be obtained by accessing the band’s web site at  www.ptcommunityband.org.

RETURN TO TOP

Whiskey Outlaws

Visit their website: WWW.WHISKEYOUTLAWS.COM

Hailing from the clubs of Pittsburgh, the Whiskey Outlaws Band hit the ground running, breaking into the tri-state rockin’ country scene in October 2008 and haven’t looked back. Playing a unique, danceable blend of modern country, classic rock, and select hits from other genres, The Whiskey Outlaws Band is sure to keep your feet dancing and your fingers tapping.
 
Larry Hanley-Lead Vocals/acoustic guitar
Art Boehm-Lead Guitar/Banjo/Keyboards/Vocals
Dave O’Dell-Bass Guitar/ Vocals
Bryon Palonder-Drums/Percussion
 
WHISKEY OUTLAWS BAND
WWW.WHISKEYOUTLAWS.COM
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/WHISKEYOUTLAWSBAND
www.facebook.com/pages/Whiskey-Outlaws-Band/100673650852

RETURN TO TOP

Kourtney Jean

The Kortney Jean Band is a six member, high energy, multi talented Country music group from Southwestern Pennsylvania.   Featuring the acclaimed young talent of 15 year old Kortney Jean Zufall, the Kortney Jean Band will entertain the youngest to the oldest members of the audience.  Playing modern selections from Taylor Swift and Sugarland, to classics by Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash; all with their own Kortney Jean flavor and style.  Also each performance includes some of Kortney Jean's original music, which is sure to please and have the crowd begging for a copy of her current CD.
 
Kortney Jean has had years of stage experience, her first performance was singing at the age of seven, and she hasn't slowed down a beat since then.  Ever developing and moving forward with her musical career, Kortney Jean has recorded in the Mecca of the country music industry, Nashville Tennessee.  Of course every singer needs a band and that's where the rest of the group shines.  Kortney Jean is backed by band members Tyler Hough who keeps the beat behind the drums.  This young talent at the ripe age of just 14 is wise beyond his years when it comes to music.  As a very skilled and dedicated musician he also plays guitar; beginning a long and surely prosperous career.  Ben Millward, our lead guitar player, was also a member of the Stonee Ridge Band as well as many other rock bands from around the area, playing guitar and drums.  The very talented Brennan Proud plays bass.  Brennan is currently studying music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  Eric Harvey plays rhythm guitar and fiddle.  He has been involved in the Old Time Fiddler's Association and has been one of the most achieved local fiddlers in the area.  And last but not least, Nathan Zufall plays rhythm guitar.  He is not only a band member but is Kortney Jeans cousin.
 
The Kortney Jean Band is sure to entertain with unsurpassed professionalism.  With such a young group of entertainers it is truly amazing to watch them perform.  A long career in the industry is ahead of them all.  Thank you for taking the time to get to know The Kortney Jean Band; we hope you find yourself at one of their shows and that you find it to be as entertaining as the thousands who have already been mesmerized by their performances.

RETURN TO TOP

Stage Right Sensations

Stage Right is a school for the performing arts and professional theatre company located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Our mission is to bring high-quality, professional musical theatre productions and education to Westmoreland County and the surrounding areas at affordable prices.

Stage Right was founded in 1998 as a school only, with a roster of twelve students. Since then, student registration has grown to 175 students and a professional theatre company was added in 2000. Since then, the theatre company has produced such shows as: Annie, Peter Pan, Joseph...Dreamcoat, Wizard of Oz, Godspell, and West Side Story. These productions featured professional casts as well as a number of Stage Right students. This practice of having students work alongside Equity actors is a hallmark of the Stage Right education ideology and one of the things the organization is most proud of. The result of this has been students who are finding success in their pursuits of attending the best colleges and universities in the country. Stage Right students can currently be found pursuing theatre degrees at: NYU, Penn State, Bucknell and Point Park. While still in high school, Stage Right students have been chosen to attend the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts, have been finalists and winners of the Pittsburgh Public Theatre’s Shakespeare monologue contest and have been chosen as leads in their school plays and musicals. In addition to their artistic pursuits, the majority of our students also find great academic success and doing so is greatly encouraged by Stage Right.

Stage Right is also a champion of the local professional actor, and hires from the western Pennsylvania area exclusively, as well as hiring New York based actors with ties to the region. Creating a local theatre for these artists to purvey their craft is an important initiative for anyone who is interested in keeping our area alive with creativity. These actors are also used as guest instructors for our school. Their contact with the students has been highly beneficial in the student’s development.

Stage Right’s producer, Chris Orosz, and its Artistic Director, Anthony Marino, are dedicated to keeping Stage Right an organization that responds to the needs and desires of area theatre goers and those interested in learning as much about the art form as possible. In keeping with this idea, Stage Right has branched out aggressively into outreach theatre as well as creating new original works.

Come visit us!

RETURN TO TOP

Girlz in Black Hats

Visit their website: www.girlzinblackhats.com

A female-dominated country band is a rare-find in any town across America, but need not look any further in these parts than the “Girlz in Black Hats.”  These sweethearts of Southwestern PA are not only talented - but entertaining, unique & downright fun to watch. They pack a punch with their clean, crisp sound and edgy attitude, and they’re not afraid to play “outside of the box”.  The GBH band can attract a crowd out of novelty and curiosity, and then keep that crowd entertained with their heartwarming appeal and surprising talent. Children are fascinated by their simple charm, while foot-stomping fiddle tunes can make a 90-year old get up and dance.

The "Girlz in Black Hats" band got it's start from a high school talent show back in the spring of 2005 as an all-girl band of friends that set out to teach the boys a thing or two about performing on stage.  With that success behind them, they took their show on the road.  So what actually started out as a one-night gig, has years later blossomed into one of the area’s most popular bands.  Still as determined as ever, they are out to stake their claim in a male-dominated field.  GBH offers up an alternative sound to the typical male bands that sing the praises of alcohol, women and good times.  These girls sing songs of women just trying to find their own place in the man's world --- sometimes singing with feeling, and occasionally ripping an attitude all of their own. They play a good mix of contemporary & classic country, sprinkled with a taste of good old-fashion rock 'n' roll.

They have recently recorded their very own original music CD with songs written by band member Sara Zebley. The title song from their “Leavin’ Tire Tracks” CD tells the tale of a young gal fed up with trying to track down her man.  “I’m tired of tracking you down, so I’m leaving you behind . . . .  and . . . .all I’m leavin’ is tire tracks!”  The girls also offer a touch of class with their stage look, and their overall stage presence is an asset to their show.  Sporting pink guitars and attitudes, these chicks rock!

Like most musical groups, “GBH” has gone through some growing pains.   Katie & Sara Zebley, co-founders of the band, are the only original members that remain.  New lead singer Tricia Leigh, with pipes to match Martina McBride, Wynonna Judd & Trisha Yearwood, have these gals re-focused on their goals and they are ready to kick butt & take names!  “Cowgirls lead . . . cowboys follow!” That is their motto - and they’re sticking to it!  With the recent acquisition of established male drummer, Rob Fetty, the band has the experience and the foundation beat to make it happen.

In summary, these sweethearts of the country music scene have a “built-in” charm that audiences quickly draw to, and no matter what the age of the listener,  young to old, they connect instantly.

From the upbeat fiddle classic of  “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” to the charm of an “Unchained Melody” --- and all points in between --- the “Girlz in Black Hats” band is a real crowd pleaser. They are definitely a "feel good", must-see show.  

NOMaD

Visit their website: www.northofmasondixon.com

RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS - BRIEFS:

Signed exclusive agreement w/ Harrah’s Casinos in April 2010 to perform at a yet unnamed venue at Bally’s/Atlantic City for three month engagement, Exclusive music in the 2009 IAFE Attendee Goodie Bag, Selected as Kenny Chesney's Next Big Star 2008, Regional airplay and webplay including the charting of all three singles from debut CD "Born and Raised" in the Mediabase top 100 from mid-2006 thru mid 2008, Selected to perform at the CMA Music Festival in June 2008 & 2009. Has opened for or supported over 100 national artists including Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Leann Rimes, Rascal Flatts, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Big & Rich, Craig Morgan, Little Big Town, George Jones, Joe Nichols, Neal McCoy, Van Zant, Gary Allan, Jimmy Wayne, Jake Owen, Luke Bryan, Sara Evans, Rissi Palmer, David Allen Coe, The Lost Trailers, Lee Ann Womack, and many more. Tours regularly throughout the year including regular trips to Nashville, and popular tourist destinations Ocean City, MD, Myrtle Beach, SC, Rehoboth Beach, DE, and others such as the Pocono's and regional fairs and festivals. Performances and relationships with major sports organizations incl. Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, University Of Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre Penguins, Steubenville Stampede, and more. Works with many charitable organizations incl. Country Cares For Cops, Fallen Not Forgotten, Relay For Life, From Alex With Love, Rockin' Country Cares, and many private causes.

BIOGRAPHY:

North Of Mason Dixon, aka NOMaD, made a tremendous splash on the regional country scene in late 2004 after placing third in a highly publicized, country showdown competition; Since then, this steadily climbing, beyond high energy act has garnered a great deal of success and shows no signs of slowing down.

Opening for national acts like Brooks and Dunn, Toby Keith, and Rascal Flatts (to name a few), being solicited by several tourists destinations such as Ocean City, MD and the Poconos, having performed as a featured artist at some of the areas biggest events and venues (Dollar Bank Jamboree, Post Gazette Pavilion, and the Pepsi-Cola Roadhouse), and performing for such organizations as the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, this Pittsburgh based band delivers a refreshing and unique sound they call "Hard Rockin' Modern Country" that defies any other description.

After independently releasing their debut CD "Born and Raised" and having charted nationally with their first two singles (#78 and #82 respectively), NOMaD has been featured and performed on nationally syndicated radio shows and continues to receive local and regional airplay. This innovative band combines infectious lyrics and melodies with the energy, passion, and ambition that promise to carry them far beyond the Mason-Dixon line and solidify them a spot in the music industry of the future. Their sophomore release will be released in summer 2010 with great anticipation!

RETURN TO TOP

Broken Spoke

Visit their website: www.brokenspokeband.net

Well, it all started back in “the day” on the ranch. It was during a rainy spell and it was just too darn sloppy out to do any ranch work. Keith was out in the barn strummin’ his 6-string and singin’ some harmony with Bessie, our milk cow. Folks all said that nothin’ good would ever come of that!
 
One by one, the other ranch hands took notice. D. J. came in and stretched some fence wire between two posts. Using a short hunk of pipe for a slide, he started pickin’ and adding more vocals.
 
Bobby threw a wash-tub bass together and sang along too. Brian stopped by on his way home from “the city” with his fancy store-bought guitar and jumped right in. Jay-bird grabbed a couple pieces of kindling and started singin’ and bangin’ on the water trough and some trash can lids.
 
Imagine their amazement when they realized that what they were doing actually sounded good! Heck, some folks might even call this music! If they could put all of the pieces in the buckboard and take it to town, folks in the saloon might even pay two bits to hear them!
 
The boys kept on playin’ and singin’ in the barn, when the chores allowed, just polishin’ up the talent they stumbled across. They all knew that it wasn’t gonna be easy. After all, the ranch wasn’t gonna run itself. After quite a spell, they were ready to take the show to town.
 
Not wantin’ to go off half-cocked, they knew they needed a name for their act. They saw that old busted-up wagon wheel with the “Broken Spoke” leanin’ up against the barn wall, put a name to what they were doin’ and, as they say, the rest is history!
 
Broken Spoke is comprised of the finest talent and showmanship available. We take a great deal of pride in our performance. We work hard to provide our audience with a unique and memorable show, filled with audience participation and interaction.

Please visit us at www.brokenspokeband.net to get the real story along with anything else you’d like to know about Broken Spoke.

RETURN TO TOP