'DAM SHOW' HEADLINER WELL-TRAVELED

Ryan Montbleau (second from left) and his band will bring along many of their faithful followers as they arrive from California for a July 19 appearance at the Dam Show.

The fact that groupies from New England have been following the Ryan Montbleau Band to California and back -- and are now zeroing in on Potter County -- speaks volumes about this musical combo's special appeal.

Montbleau will appear at the sixth annual Dam Show, held at the Austin Dam Memorial park, for a 90-minute set on Saturday night, July 19.

"He's just one of the heavyhitters," said Art Metzger, who has recruited the musical talent on behalf of the Potter County Fine Arts Council. "We've had very good lineups in the past, but this year I think it's safe to say that we have the best music the Dam Show has ever had."

Montbleau, a legend in his native Boston, Mass., is described as a "pure soul singer -- not in the traditional sense, but as an artist who sings purely from his soul in a voice every bit as honest, open-hearted and original as the stories he tells in his songs."

As lead vocalist and guitarist, he is surrounded by young and talented performers on drums, keyboards, bass and viola. Together, they produce a musical tapestry that blends folk, blues, country, cocktail music, rock, gypsy jazz and psychedelia.

"I've listened to all kinds of styles ever since I can remember, from Bell Biv Devoe to Bob Dylan, so being interested in a lot of musical elements just came naturally," says Montbleau. "The other guys are the same way. Some are firmly rooted in jazz, some classically trained. Most of what we do is rooted in something older, but from there, it goes in every direction you can think of."

Through it all, Montbleau's storytelling holds the spotlight. His songs are rich in the kind of real-life detail that makes characters breathe. He enjoys meeting a national tour schedule that includes more than 200 shows.

"When you strip away all the goals I might have as an artist, what I really want to do with my life is uplift people," Montbleau says. "My favorite thing in the world is looking out from the stage and seeing smiling faces."

The sixth annual Dam Show is scheduled July 18-19 at the Austin Dam Memorial Park.

Ryan Montbleau Band shares top billing with world-class fiddler Michael Cleveland and his band, Flamekeeper; the Hackensaw Boys, a Virginia bluegrass band that's a festival favorite across the nation; and the rich brass and percussionbased sound of Buddhahood.

Cleveland is a regular at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and multiple winner of International Bluegrass Music Association Awards.

The Hackensaw Boys are an Americana band blending bluegrass, folk and old-time music with a show-biz style and some humor thrown in for good measure.

Among other notable acts on the jam-packed schedule are Blue Sky Mission Club, Free Grass Union, Redheaded Stepchild and a Pittsburgh band with local roots, The Slant.

Lighting specialist Groovin' Lumens will be back to paint the dam ruins with a colorful light show.

Primitive camping is available at the park. Food and other vendor booths will be set up both days, with painting, beading, sand art, wagon rides and children's games featured.

Austin Dam Memorial Association and the Potter County Fine Arts Council are Dam Show sponsors, in partnership with the Potter County Commissioners and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Tickets for individuals are $15 per day or $25 for both days; a family pass is available at $30 for one day or $45 for both days.

A $5.00 discount is available on tickets purchased in advance. They're available at Olga's Living with Art, Coudersport, or by sending an email to damshow@hotmail.com.

Here's the tentative lineup (subject to change)

Friday, July 18:

5 pm: "Dam Jam," local musicians who sing and play well.

6 pm: Free Grass Union, a young bluegrass group from Long Island.

7 pm: Cherylann Hawk, singer-songwriter with a rich, earthy voice.

7:30 pm: Gail Ayers, a deep and powerful gospel voice from Coudersport's Frosty Hollow Studios.

8 pm: Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper.

9:30 pm: Blue Sky Mission Club, a listenable/danceable band with a blend of soul, country, zydeco and rock traditions.

10:30 pm: Willy Jack and the Northern Lights, a fun, popular and eclectic band from the Danville/Bloomsburg area.

Saturday, July 19

1 pm: Grateful Floyd, a folk/ country jam band from Maryland.

1:30 pm: Free Grass Union (see above)

2:15: Buddhahood World Drum Workshop; hands-on activity for any and all (bring your own hand drums or use the band's).

3:45 pm: Tom Martin, Coudersport's tree specialist, is also an accomplished singer/songwriter and guitarist.

4:30 pm: Freakish Owl Boy, with family harmonies and well-crafted songs.

5:15 pm: The Slant, a popular college campus rock band with local roots.

6 pm: Buddhahood, a powerhouse festival band from Rochester, N.Y. Horns, drums, bass, steel drums, keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars blend with a fun spirit.

7:30 pm: Ryan Montbleau Band.

9:00 pm: Hackensaw Boys.

10:30 pm: Redheaded Stepchild, a Nashville duo and Dam Show regular. Their music combined with the lights of Groovin' Lumens are sure to be memorable finale.