Three local bands may have the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to open for the legendary rock group Kansas on Saturday.
To achieve this goal, River James Band of Neosho, Natural Disaster of Granby and Watershed of Neosho will compete along with seven other bands in the Battle of the Bands starting at 5 p.m. today in Landreth Park, Joplin, during the annual Boomtown Days three-day event.
Nate Blaukat, a founding member of Watershed, said the group was excited about the opportunity of performing in the battle of the bands and possibly opening up for Kansas.
“It’s definitely a huge accomplishment for us,” Blaukat said. “Friday has been on our minds for the last three weeks. We have a 20-minute time limit, just enough space to play our four songs.”
Two of the songs are “Sharp Edges” and “Baby Doll.”
The band is made up of Daniel Harris on drums, Brandon Buchanan on guitar, David Littlefield on bass and Blaukat on guitar/vocals. The band began two years ago with Littlefield and Blaukat.
“Music seemed to be our only escape from everything we had going on we would rather not have to be reminded of, a sort of vacation,” said Blaukat. “Ever since I was about 9 and watched that scene in, ‘Back To The Future,’ the part where Marty plays Johnny B. Good, that’s when the thought of starting a band began.”
They have played at a few events, including Neosho High School prom. Blaukat noted it was their “biggest accomplishment.”
The band has produced a CD of their music.
“And we can’t say to much about it without thanking Zack Bornhoft, this man is a true musician,” he said. “We recorded it toward 3 in the morning a few weeks ago. Of course it’s not going to
sound like a Zeppelin record, but you work with what you have.”
But as the group gets ready to play tonight, Blaukat ponders the opportunity of opening for Kansas on Saturday.
“To be opening up for a band that has made nothing but great music for many years and still stays true to it, it’s like getting to sit at the popular table at lunch,” he said. “I wonder what it’s like?”
For a complete listing of events during the Boomtown Days, visit boomtowndays.com or call 625-4789.
Joplin, Mo. —
