First on stage

A concert isn’t just about the headlining act. The openers set the stage for the rest of the night and get everyone excited about what’s coming. Each night of Rollin’ on the River features local musicians to get the night started off right.

July 5

Grace Gatsby sings in a powerful voice and also plays piano and guitar. She grew up singing in a three-piece folk band with her father and performing in this band throughout the Midwest. She spent five years in Los Angeles before moving her commanding vocal chords to Reno. Now, Gatsby is a powerhouse, husky-voiced rock singer/songwriter who brings passion to her music. She has a voice that haunts and commands the attention of the room. Friend and fellow musician Whitney Myer described Gatsby’s voice as “gorgeous” and “killer” and went on to say, “She has one of those voices where you’re immediately drawn into whatever world she’s creating.” Paired together, Gatsby and Myer should make for an awesome show in the park.

Gatsby will perform on July 5, 5:30 p.m. at Wingfield Park. Visit myspace.com/gracesings for music samples and more information.

Main act: Whitney Myer (see page 5)

July 12

The Mark Sexton Band is a trio whose music is a unique combination of reggae, soul and funk that has come to be well-known in the Reno area. The trio consists of singer/songwriter/guitarist Mark Sexton, bassist Alex Korostinsky and drummer Dan Weiss. Catching them perform before the eclectic Hot Club Sandwich should be a treat. The group released a six-track EP titled Young and Naïve on April 9. The band is currently touring this album with shows mainly in California for the summer with a show in North Lake Tahoe at Crystal Bay on June 28. Rollin’ on the River will catch them in between strings of shows in California, and they will also be back in Nevada to perform in Gardnerville on July 27.

Main act: Hot Club Sandwich (see page 7)

July 19

The Smokin’ Bulldogs plays favorites from the Beatles, classic rock, country rock and also some of their own original songs. The group is a four-man band with John Elkins on lead guitar, Geoff White on rhythm guitar, Bill O’Neal on bass guitar and Kevin Pavlu on drums. All four members of the band sing at different points. Each of the band members have diverse backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common: extensive histories as musicians. Elkins and White are childhood friends who have been playing together on and off since they were young, and both have written original songs for the group. Pavlu also started as a musician young—at the age of 7—and has played in various bands throughout his life. And O’Neal, now an entertainment lawyer, started playing piano at 4 and picked up clarinet, saxophone and bass as he grew and eventually went on to get his Bachelor’s at Berklee College of Music.

The Smokin’ Bulldogs play local events and a listing of these events, as well as music samples and other information, can be found at smokinbulldogs.wordpress.com. Catch them at Rollin’ on the River July 19, 5:30 p.m. at Wingfield Park.

Main act: Blue Moon Swamp (see page 8)

July 26

Guitar Woody and the Boilers is a six-man group that plays blues-based R&B and funk music. The band has been playing around Reno for more than 20 years. Woody Soules—Guitar Woody—brought the band together several years after moving to Reno where he met a bunch of local musicians. The group now consists of Guitar Woody and the Boilers—Leroy Palinsky on keyboards, Mike Bush on drums, Bob McNamara on bass, Jon Anderson on saxophone and Joey Walker on trumpet. Come out and see Guitar Woody and the Boilers on July 26, 5:30 p.m. at Wingfield Park.

Main act: Janiva Magness (see page 9)