Open season

Each year as July approaches, John Murphy’s phone starts ringing off the hook. Local bands call the general manager of the Reno News & Review to say, “We want to play Rollin’ on the River.” While the main acts tend to be touring regional acts, local bands comprise the opening bands. He likes to showcase bands Reno residents may not see having regular gigs every week—emerging talent that could use a little exposure. That’s the case this year, as well, with the exception of the Whitney Myer Band, which has established a strong local following. The other criteria: upbeat, energetic bands that get the crowd moving.

“People can enjoy music sitting down, but when you see people dancing, that energizes the crowd in a very positive way and gives them a good feeling, which leads them to want to come back,” says Murphy. “Seniors and moms and little kids moving to the music—it’s indicative of them enjoying themselves.”

On every Friday in July, each opening act will perform at Wingfield Park at 5:30 p.m. and play for about 40 minutes before the main acts take the stage.

July 1: James Cavanaugh & The Charm of Hugo. The singer-songwriter opens the series with The Charm of Hugo, featuring Steve Hatley on keys and vocals, Gary Kephart on bass and vocals, singer Lacey Mattison, and Rich Washburn on drums. Main act: Heart tribute band Heart Alive.

July 8: Truckee River Band Though not a tribute band, this eclectic group tends to perform a lot of classic rock cover songs, usually at area open-mics. The members are decades apart, beginning with 12-year-old Imann “Sparky” Singh wailing on the guitar. Mark “Shadow” Chamness is on vocals and rhythm guitar, and Singh’s brother Cliff “The Black Hat Gringo” Perry is on bass. Main act: Beatles tribute band Because.

July 15: Schall Adams Band This bluesy band comes to Rollin’ with lead singer Schall Adams, lead guitarist Mike de la Rosa, and Schall’s husband, Dave Adams, on bass. Drummer Jason Thomas, a familiar face in Reno’s music scene, also plays with Dave in the band Cranium. And Franklin Spicer plays keys. Main act: The Unauthorized Rolling Stones.

July 22: Jake’s Garage Band Fresh off their first local concert in June, this classic rock and R&B band features lead singer Tenya Espinoza, singer and lead guitarist Jake Armer, drummer David Hughes, bassist Johnny Sutter, and rhythm guitarist Jason Champagne. Main act: Garratt Wilkin and the Parrotheads, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band.

July 29: The Whitney Myer Band. Back in Reno after a 17-day West Coast tour in June, the fiery Whitney brings a blend of funk, pop, rock and R&B to her music. Joining her are her father, Scott Myer, on lead guitar, uncle Fred Myer on drums, and Gia Torcaso on bass. The band was selected as Best Band and Best New Album in RN&R’s 2010 Best of Northern Nevada readers poll. Main act: Vegas U2.