MIAMI, Okla. – Music will rock inside Rocket Park in Miami on Friday, as local band Until Now takes the stage.
The concert, Rockin ‘in Rocket Park, is sponsored by the Ottawa County Musicians Tribute Committee. This is part of a series of shows designed to help reintroduce area residents to the musical heritage found in Northeast Oklahoma, specifically Ottawa County.
To date, who plays a wide range of genres, includes Gage Lawson on guitar, Jeff Johnston on bass, Joe Redden on drums, Jordan Weston on guitar and Aaron Blile on vocals. Each member is a graduate of Miami High School.
This is the second time this year that the group has performed for a local audience. In July, they were part of Miami’s first Route 66 heritage festival.
Friday’s free event will take place at 7 p.m. at Key Club Park, nicknamed Rocket Park because of its large metal rocket. The food trucks will open their doors at 6 p.m. near the stage.
“We’re very excited with where we grew up,” Lawson said. “It’s a boost for the arts. There is a momentum taking off here. We are happy to be a part of it.
Lawson calls the band’s catalog of music “genderless.”
“The cool thing about our band is that we all take things out of different genres of music,” Lawson said. “We all have different inspirations, but it all fits together.”
Lawson said people can expect to hear not only covers from a variety of artists, but at least one original song.
“Our motivation comes from various artists,” Lawson said. “I think we would become obsolete if we limited our playing to a certain style of music. We show up to practice, play and learn new covers. Something like this keeps us fresh and motivated.
Lawson said he was happy to be one of the musicians who walked through the halls of Miami high school. Other Wardog artists include Keith Anderson and Keifer Thompson of Thompson Square.
“There is a lot of good musical talent in Miami,” Lawson said. “There has always been a track record of promising musicians.”
As the father of two elementary-age daughters, Lawson said Friday’s concert would be “family friendly.”
“It’s for anyone who wants to be able to stay home and attend a free event with live music,” Lawson said. “We’re going to do a whole new range of covers, including some of the sweetest sounds – which is my style, the late 1960s and 1970s, timeless music. “
Behind the concert
Debbie East, with the Ottawa County Musicians’ Tribute Committee, said that in addition to Friday’s concert, the group plans to put on two more live music performances.
The first is scheduled for Saturday, October 2, during the FestiFall event in Miami. It will feature a “musical battle” between 20 groups, with the winner earning a seat to perform at next year’s Route 66 Heritage Festival, among other prizes.
The other event features Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys in a 7 p.m. concert on Friday, November 12 at the Coleman Theater in Miami.
“We want live music to make a comeback in Miami,” East said. “(These concerts) are just another stop on this journey.”
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