Rock the Rapids gives boost to local stars while trumpeting ZZ Top, Daughtry, Thompson Square

West Michigan’s Jessica Price Band and Junior Valentine will share the Fifth Third Ballpark stage with national headliners as part of the three-day music festival that kicks off Tuesday.

 

ZZ Top, Daughtry, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Thompson Square may steal the headlines in Rock the Rapids’ return to Fifth Third Ballpark next week, but singer Jessica Price and guitarist Junior Valentine will supply the “Rapids” part of the equation by aiming the spotlight on West Michigan talent.

“It’s an opportunity to be in front of a bunch of people, some who certainly will know who I am and some of them won’t,” said Grand Rapids’ Valentine, who opens for ZZ Top and Kenny Wayne Shepherd on Thursday. “But having played here for 20 plus years, it’s nice to be able to say, ‘How y’all doin’?’ I’ve played for big houses, but this might be the biggest house I’ve ever played, so that’s fun, too.”

Price, a 2008 finalist on “America’s Got Talent” who fronts Freeport/Middleville’s Jessica Price Band, views the local group’s appearance on the same stage as rock’s Daughtry and Lifehouse on Wednesday as a dream come true: She’s always described the band as “the female version of Daughtry” and has even said Chris Daughtry is the singer with whom she’d most like to share a stage.

“We haven’t really done anything this big before so this is pretty huge for us, and we’re kind of hoping something else comes out of this,” said the 30-year-old singer and acoustic guitarist who graduated from Thornapple Kellogg High School. The band released its “Lost in a Dream” debut album last year. “Maybe it will open some more doors for us.”

MOVING BACK TO FIFTH THIRD BALLPARK

After two years in downtown Grand Rapids, the three-day music festival moves back to Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, kicking off at 7 p.m. Tuesday with country’s Thompson Square, Brett Eldredge and Drake White, followed by Daughtry, Lifehouse and the Jessica Price Band on Wednesday, and ZZ Top, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Junior Valentine on Thursday.

Tickets — $18-$49 – are available at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, by calling 616-784-4131 or online at fifththirdballpark.com and rocktherapids.org.

After last year’s six-day affair drew about 40,000 people to parking lots behind the Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids – headlined by Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Shinedown, Evanescence, Boyz II Men and B.o.B. – Rock the Rapids organizers decided to “re-group,” trimming and relocating the festival to the venue where it began in 2009, while evaluating its future in light of city plans for development of the downtown site as well as financial shortfalls.

“This is a building year for Rock the Rapids to build that equity base back,” Dan McCrath, of festival manager Blue Cap Entertainment, told Local Spins. “We’re talking to quite a few people for where Rock the Rapids belongs for the future. Our job here is to maintain its brand and keep it rolling along until we can get to those (next steps).”

Fifth Third Ballpark is “built well for this,” he added, allowing Rock the Rapids to cuts expenses associated with festival seating, bathrooms and office space while still providing “a really good show for people at an affordable cost.”

How this revamped, mid-week edition of the festival – taking place during a break in the home baseball schedule for the West Michigan Whitecaps minor league team – will fare remains to be seen, especially with ZZ Top playing eight consecutive August dates with Kid Rock at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in the Detroit area for the “$20 Best Night Ever” Tour.

“We’re hoping for good walk-up sales. The pricing gives people something to do before all the kids are back at school … and at a place that’s pretty cool to hang out,” said McCrath, adding organizers don’t expect to “lose a whole lot of people from West Michigan” due to the Detroit ZZ Top/Kid Rock shows.

OPENING FOR THAT ‘LITTLE OL’ BAND FROM TEXAS’

For Valentine, a West Michigan musical mainstay who also plays bass for Hank Mowery & the Hawktones, sharing the stage with ZZ Top represents a truly special moment, one that dates back to 1972 when he first ran across “Rio Grande Mud,” the second album by “the little ol’ band from Texas.”

“I looked at the record cover and said, ‘This looks pretty cool,’ and I flipped it over and said, ‘This looks even cooler.’ I said, ‘I think I’ll buy this,’ ” he recalled. “I put it on and the first song was ‘Francine.’ I fell in love with not only that song, but the whole record. That was my introduction to ZZ Top and I’ve always loved them.

“I think Billy Gibbons is one of the tastiest guitarists and one of the most creative musicians to have ever come out of rock ’n’ roll. They have managed to not only keep it going, but it’s still the original three guys … and their vision hasn’t changed. I’m honored and happy to be able to open for them and Kenny Wayne. These guys are quality and they’re still bringing something that’s worth checking out.”

With a blues-rock crowd on hand for Thursday’s concert, Valentine’s 6:30 p.m. Thursday set will focus on “blues and roots stuff. I’m going to play upbeat things, and I’m going to have fun.”

‘THE BIGGEST THING WE’VE EVER DONE’

Meanwhile, the Jessica Price Band – which features Price’s brother, Johnny, on bass, Kyle Preslar on drums, Shauna Preslar on keyboards and backing vocals, and Ben Jazwinski on guitar – figures it’s serendipitous that McCrath asked the band to open for Daughtry, performing at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“I love his voice and I love his music, so I think it fits well,” said Price, who works for Sawyer Nursery by day. “I think it’s a total God thing that it came at this time. … We’re really excited. This is the biggest thing we’ve ever done as a band.”

Get the full schedule and more details at the Rock the Rapids website. The 2013 edition of Rock The Rapids is presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort and sponsored in part by Auto Value, Pepsi, Rockstar, Riverfront Inn, Xtreme Demolition, AdMark, Elite Disposal and Great Lake Wine & Spirits.

Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music