One man created the sounds of an entire band during the first night of the 21st annual Bustock free music event July 22 at Southern Indiana Center for the Arts in Seymour.
Derick Howard of Columbus, who describes himself as “the one-man jam band,” performed on the opening night of the four-night music event along with Madison native and longtime Bustock musician Rusty Bladen.
Howard used computer looping, or recording live sounds and using them to build a song from the background up, to give the impression of an entire band made from one man.
“I usually say that I play live looping and live improvising,” Howard said of his playing style.
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Howard calls the resulting style “everything from folk to funk.”
Howard said he has played at Bustock for the past five or so years, and he opened for a man that has performed at every Bustock since it started in 1994.
This year, Bladen brought his entire band, including his two sons, Neal Bladen, 27, who played the bass, and Jackson Bladen, 14, who played the keyboards.
“I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time,” Bladen said of playing with a band at Bustock. “Adding the band takes it to a whole other level.”
Bladen said having the band, and particularly his sons, playing on stage with him makes him feel proud.
“I never would have thought the same guys I changed diapers for would be jamming with me on stage,” Bladen said.
The Rusty Bladen Band plays a mixture of classic rock and country rock. Bladen said it is best described as “homegrown rock ’n’ roll or Indiana rock.”
“It’s a little bit of classic rock, a little bit of newer stuff, but nothing too heavy,” he said.
Bladen said he plans to continue to attend the event in the future.
“The crowds keep getting younger and younger every year, and it just fuses me with energy to perform,” he said.
Howard and Bladen both agreed that Bustock is a unique outdoor event. “I love the atmosphere, outdoors with the live music. It’s hard to find nice places like this to play at,” Howard said.
Bladen cites the support from the community and the radio station, 96.3 WJAA, which presents Bustock every year. “We always get good support from Jackson County and the radio station and all the good people who have supported our music,” Bladen said.
The IMPROV Band and The White Lightning Boys performed July 23, These Fine Gentleman and the AC/DC tribute band 100% Angus performed July 24 and Amy and Sean and Eliminator, a ZZ Top tribute band, performed July 25.
In addition to the music acts, those who donated to the SICA Minutes to Memory fund had a chance to win an autographed guitar by John Mellencamp. A painting session for children was offered July 23 at a cost of $15, and a beard contest was conducted July 25.
Cathy and Gary Wente of Seymour both said they enjoyed attending Bustock. They have gone to the event the past few years on different nights.
“The bands tonight will be a new experience,” Gary Wente said of the opening night.
“It’s a great event,” Cathy Wente said. “Sometimes, we see people we know. Sometimes, we don’t. It’s just a great atmosphere.”