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Show ~ Roots Rockin’ With River Ranch Band © Group with Wasatch ties gets Midway gigs, first album due this summer ‘here is nothing unusual western ing true about a band _ stick- Ranch is as likely to dust off some George Strait or Tim McGraw as they are to play Dixie Chicks tunes. “We'll even branch off and do a little - to its roots home tunes. But for the | Rodeo, televised annually by ESPN. - Because most and playing unpretentious, downBe atmosphere is_ pretty good,” said around $250a night, holding out for Bailey who added they would like to larger venues. play” Edelweiss more often, “but _. “We don’t go and play for less we're so busy.” , ~ than $1,000,” he said. “We’re capa-_ _ Currently, River Ranch Band is ble of being patient and doing things scheduling performances throughpretty much the way we want.” — out Utah County to the Wasatch One thing out the their control, Back. They play outdoor ampithehowever, is an invitation for a aters, parades and corporate parties Colorado summer tour. Bailey didn’t as well as the Provo Town Center, want to jinx their chances, but said Wasatch County Fair and Oakley the band is anxious to get word. of the -£ = ot ee sae: —™ Ss e ca I alle release their first. full-length — a album. As yet untitled, the album — mates. are older and financially secure, Bailey said they don’t play bars and clubs, which typically pay River os —._ Also this summer, River Ranch band en Photos courtesy River Ranch Band ~ “We kind of pulled him out of retirement to make this band worl Bailey said. a : And work they do. Playing a selfdescribed mix of “country with a rock twist,” River = recorded in the bands’ Orem studio. — will hit stores in late July. “We're | not a signed band,” Bailey said, “so Ranch Band, half of whom are 2, - ee DEREK JENSEN MANAGING EDITOR. we're really hoping it gets some ee radio play so we get picked up.” If the album is anything like’ family, naming the group after a ranch-that’s been in the family six | | 2 their Park City concert last month at the Grand Summit hotel, chances. oe _ may be good. At that gig, a personal _ friend of the band Sawyer Brown looking to play to crowds in. Wasatch County—you Come ones euessed it eee: ~~ — ___ “We're trying not to put a lot of stock in that right now, butjustcon- PPPS isa melting pot of ages, instruments work.” - . | And for lead singer Jorgen Bailey and younger sister Michelle, a sense of place is equally important to the band’s success. Their name comes from a family ranch on the -eage of J ordanelle near Kamas. Bailey said the bands recent trips to -the‘Heber Valley make him feel nos~talgic for his youth spent on the ranch and in area cabins. : - “We’ve been snowmobiling, : y) “8 = Bryan Adams Seener ren er eine: Paes ees hason drawn raves from discerning critics and fans alike. } “Some bands can try tocies imitate and they don’t go over well, but 3 : Be these guys are just awesome,” said JoNell Snow, facility coordinator for Midway’s new Edelweiss Center. “I as we can.” = oe : plays o: a ps ‘ fiddle and mandolin is the youngest at 20. They are joined by_ «Jared Ellsworth, keyboard and oo © eee ““Y'Y 4 "ay er ae percussionist who has sounded the drums since the age of nine. fh ae see ett As proof, Edelweiss has offered ae cere HMrtiosd omelectric guitar Rounding out the band is Bailey’s uncle, Aaron | es ae think they’re really up and coming.” vocals, Mark Viar on bass and Mark ' infor- once in a while,” in Orem. “We’d love to play there for = Bailey, y» who sings and plays acoustic guitar is soft-spoken -spoken | but focused. At 30, he sits right about in| For more i . Michelle Bailey Bailey said. as lon cA ° River Ranch Band-will be performing this Friday at the Edelweiss Center in Midway. Sg = ~ e mation, call 435-512-3687. camping and hiking up there since] could walk,” he said from hishome | . : e oe — |= a= ss tinue with what we know — hard and backgrounds. Consisting of six members ranging from 20 to early 40s, the one common denominator for the musicians is a penchant for country music. = Bailey said he was flattered, i wanted to keep it in context. ee The River Ranch Band, in its current configuration for two years, oe oe 4 ze : eS —__ Brown thissummer. 3 | to stay true to their roots. : —_ approached River Ranch afterward, saying he was so impressed with their rendition of “Sweet Home _ _ _ Alabama,” he wanted to forward a copy of their debut album to Sawyer try/ rock | ensem ble is currently pe eir house ban for live a BODINg Over Une 10 aap nostalgics = 3 “We love playing there. The acoustics are: wonderin and! ic . es | seats . ) | ae | Eee :pan i... eee nt oe | +: eee ee| oe Eo | aay |