News 4U Owensboro – October

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

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Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

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Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

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INTRO

FEATURES 4 Ricky Skaggs – Bluegrass Ambassador

13 Bourbon Blog – Nuzzling up with Jim Beam

by Dylan Gibbs

by Tom Fischer

6 From the Balcony – TWO, RPC & U

19 Akacia – Four decades of ROCK

by Melissa Kaiser

by Dylan Gibbs

8 Hallow’s Eve: Slaughter on 2nd Street

20 On the Farm – It really takes two apples a day these days

by Dylan Gibbs

by Melissa Kaiser

GUIDES

21 Kiddos – For the love of Pete, get ‘em off their butts

by Mr. Mom

[ Table of Contents ]

OWENSBORO October 2009

22 Fight 4 Allyson – How you can help

by Nick Durcholz

31 Briefs! – Extra News 4U

by Scribblers & Scribes

REVIEWS

10 Restaurants

12 What’s Cookin’!

14 Road Trip to Evansville

24 Music

15 Clubs & Pubs

27 Games

16 Local Nightlife

28 Cinema: In Theatres

23 Arts & Etc.

29 Cinema: New Releases

26 Shopping – It’s in the bag

Publisher

Owensboro Account Executive

Bashar Hamami

Business Manager Sharon Tindle

sharon@news-4u.com

Managing Editor Dylan Gibbs

editor@news-4u.com

Promotions

Casey McCoy

Russella Jones

russella@news-4u.com

(270) 485-2292

Evansville Account Executives Lori Martin

Sales Manager

Carolyn Cummings Keith LaCrosse

Web Programming Jeff Lingis

Production Supervisor

Amanda Smith

art@news-4u.com

Graphic Artist

Jaqulyn Woolsey

Staff Photographer

On the cover this month...

Staff Writers Nick Durcholz Melissa Kaiser

Ricky Skaggs

Contributors Josh osh and Katie Albers, Chad Benefield, Paul Dockery, Tom Fischer, Dan Woolsey, Todd Zachritz

(Courtesy Sheldon Concert Hall)

Mark McCoy

NEWS4U IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY AND IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE TRI-STATE . FOR INFORMATION ABOUT ADVERTISING, SUBSCRIPTIONS, DISTRIBUTION OR GUIDES & LISTS, CALL (270) 485-2292, TOLL FREE AT (866) 684-7574, SEND US A FAX AT (866) 463-9748, OR WRITE US AT 119 W. 3rd ST., OWENSBORO, KY 42303. NEWS4U IS PUBLISHED BY ATOMA PUBLISHING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION WITHOUT PERMISSION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. DISTRIBUTION OF THE MAGAZINE DOES NOT NECESSARILY CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF PRODUCTS, SERVICES OR OPINIONS WITHIN. AdVERTiSERS ARE RESPONSiBLE FOR cONTENT OF THEiR AdS.

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www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

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he Prodigy.”

The man who, according to mega-legend Chet Atkins, “Single handedly saved country music.”

An established music legend Dylan Gibbs in his own right, with thirteen Managing number one singles, eight Editor Country Music Association Awards along with twenty-three nominations, four platinum-selling records, seven Grammy Awards; whose name could match up to these stats? Ricky Skaggs, a true son of Kentucky, that’s who.

Born deep in the heart of Bluegrass Country – both figuratively and literally – Skaggs was, as is often said of prodigies, put upon this earth to make music. Born into humble beginnings in the tiny northeastern Kentucky town of Cordell in 1954, Skaggs began playing music at a very early age, after his father gave him a mandolin at the •6•

age of five. Before his daddy had the time to teach Ricky how to play, the child had learned the instrument himself, and by the end of 1959, he had performed on stage during a Bill Monroe concert, playing “Ruby, Are You Mad at Your Man?” At seven, Skaggs had even played on television with two of the most famous bluegrass musicians of that or any time, Flatt & Scruggs.

By his teens Skaggs was well established as an accomplished singer and multi-instrumentalist. In 1971 he went pro, when, together with the late country singer Keith Whitley, he was invited to join in the band by none other than bluegrass luminary Ralph Stanley. Before he was twenty years old, Skaggs’ reputation as a fresh, creative and exciting performer was solidified through near-constant tours and live appearances and recordings with masters of the craft such as J.D. Crowe & the New South, including the influential progressive-bluegrass sounds of that band’s 1975 self-titled release, to which

he lent his mastery of the mandolin, fiddle, violin, viola and vocals. And he was only twenty-one years old.

The mid- and late-70s saw Skaggs with an outfit of his own, Boone Creek. The progressive sounds of bluegrass evolved into what became termed as “newgrass,” a sound that embodied many of the elements of traditional bluegrass with Western Swing, honky tonk and even jazz, thanks to Skaggs’ admiration of the legendary guitarist, Django Reinhardt. It was during this time that Skaggs teamed up with Emmylou Harris, joining her Hot Band in 1977.

By the 1980s, Skaggs’ resume was already polished. Still in his 20s, Skaggs was charting his own course, and, with musicians like George Straight, brought the rootsy, traditional sounds of country music back from the abyss of the “Urban Cowboy” sensation of the time. In the span of only a year – 1982 to ’83 – Skaggs became a solo star. He scored five straight number one singles – “I Don’t

ERICK ANDERSON

“T

Kentucky Encapsulated

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

Care,” “Heartbroke,” “Crying My Heart Out Over You,” “I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could” and “Highway 40 Blues.” It was during this time that he ushered into an exclusive club, becoming the youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

The 90s saw the emergence of slick, commercial country music; as the brand of country Skaggs had become known for began to diminish in radio play, he soldiered on. Numerous concerts and appearances, new records – including eight consecutive Grammy-nominated albums from his own label, Skaggs Family Records – and a return to his roots – bluegrass music – marked the rest the 90s and the beginning of the 21st Century.

This year marks Skaggs’ 38th year of playing music professionally. He has grown from a child prodigy to a megastar to a sort of elder statesman of the roots, Americana, Country and Bluegrass music genre. With a full schedule of events throughout the year, as a solo artist and with his outstanding band, Kentucky Thunder, Skaggs is responsible for maintaining the old ways while remaining visible and appealing to a new generation of fans and musicians. And that’s what brings us here together, to anticipate the show Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder will perform at RiverPark Center on October 10.

The gig is part of a much larger, and wholly Kentucky-born, event: The Alltech Fortnight Festival. Throughout late September and mid-October, and at venues across the Bluegrass State, the Festival offers acts as varied as Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert in Lexington to Mary Chapin Carpenter in Midway, Kentucky to the Decembrists in L’Ton to our subject at hand, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder in Ashland on October 8 and, of course, here on the 10th.

Alltech’s Fortnight Festival is designed to involve the entire state in the excitement of music and the annual Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington next year. Horses and bluegrass music – what’s more Kentucky that that?

Tickets for the Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder concert range from $16.50 to $37 and are available at the RiverPark Center box office, by phone at 270-687-ARTS or at www.AlltechFortnightFestival.com, which is where you may also find out more information about the Fest, the World Equestrian Championships and more.

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

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DRAMA

[ From the Balcony ]

O

ctober not only ushers in fall and all the relaxing feelings that come with this beautiful season, but it also showcases the second round of productions in Owensboro’s theatre season. Join Theatre Workshop of Owensboro as they tickle your funny bone in Neil Simon’s Come Blow Your Horn. Broadway at the RiverPark presents Melissa an exciting rendition of The Wedding Singer. Also feaKaiser tured at the RiverPark Center, Elmo and the gang will Staff Writer entertain your youngsters during Sesame Street Live!

You do not want to miss any of these fabulous productions!

Theatre Workshop of Owensboro presents one of Neil Simon’s first plays, the incredibly funny and entertaining Come Blow Your Horn.

Their witty presentation centers around two brothers, who work for their father selling wax fruit. Complete opposites in most aspects of their lives, the brothers’ roles begin to change throughout the course of the play.

The good brother and the ladies’ man, love and lust, hilarious and serious moments all combine to make this play stand out! “The show is very funny with tight dialog and snappy jokes”, says director and TWO veteran, Kevin Clark. The cast for this stellar production includes several TWO veterans & new-comers: Adam Pryor, Ben Withrow, Erin Frazier, Casi Clark, Tom Mudd, Karen Carothers, and Karen Glenn. Assistant Director, Pablo Gallastegui, and stage manager, Matt Adkins, will add their talent and skills to the mix as well.

As this season’s theme suggests, Theatre Workshop of Owensboro will become “Your Great Escape” this theatre season as you laugh your way through yet another praiseworthy performance by this stellar group of artists!

Sponsored by Swedish Match, “Come Blow Your Horn” takes the stage on Fridays: October 23rd, 30th, and November 6th at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays: October 24th, 31st, and November 7th also at 7:30 The Wedding Singer p.m.; and a Sunday matinee performance on November 1st at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Season tickets are still on sale! On October 22nd, enjoy TWO’s “Dress for Dinner: Opening Night Dinner and Show.”

For an extra $10, you will enjoy a delicious dinner followed by a fabulous showing of Come Blow Your Horn. Don’t miss this unique opportunity!

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www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

Sesame Street

For ticket information and reservations, please call TWO box office at (270) 683-5353, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

On Monday, October 12 at 7 p.m., the RiverPark Center kicks into high gear when the Broadway smash hit The Wedding Singer sings and dances its way across the stage to all your favorite ‘80s tunes! “This musical comedy will take audiences back to a time when pastel was in, hair was big and the wedding singer was the coolest guy in the room!”

Based on the 1998 hit film of the same name, you’ll find Robbie, the jilted wedding singer, lusting after the beautiful, Julia, a waitress who’s engaged to a pig of a man, Glen. Along with their friends Sammy and Holly, this hilarious story will have you laughing and singing along in no time. Throw in a few new plot twists and several new toe tapping songs, such as “All About the Green” and “It’s Your Wedding Day” and you are sure to experience this show in a whole new way!

As a side note, the actor and actress who portray Robbie and Julia are real life husband and wife, J. Michael Zygo and Jillian Zygo. This unique dynamic only adds to the chemistry and excitement of this entertaining production!

Sponsored by BB&T and Owensboro Medical Health System, Broadway at RiverPark sends us on yet another fantastic journey in The Wedding Singer! For more information on ticket prices, season tickets, and upcoming shows, please visit www.riverparkcenter.org or call the RiverPark Center Box Office at 270-687-2787.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. join the RiverPark Center and VEE Productions as they present the always adorable and educational Sesame Street Live “When Elmo Grows Up!” All your favorite Muppets will pay a visit, including Elmo, Zoe, Rosita, Bert and several others, including the newest Muppet on Sesame Street, Abby Cadabby. They will all share their hopes and dreams as they answer the question: ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’

Delightful songs such as “Home on the Range,” “Down on the Corner,” “Give a Little Love” and nearly two dozen additional songs, will not only entertain your youngsters, but teach them about patience, acceptance and teamwork. “Like television’s Sesame Street, each Sesame Street Live production features timeless lessons for all ages. Adults will appreciate the high-tech stagecraft, cleverly written scripts, and music they’ll recognize and enjoy sharing with their children.”

The kiddos, of course, will just enjoy meeting and singing along with their favorite Sesame Street characters!

Be apart of the 30th season of Sesame Street Live as they bring to life the story of “When Elmo Grows Up!” Tickets are $11, $14 & $17, with a limited number of $22 Gold Circle seats also available. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www. riverparkcenter.org or call the RiverPark Center Box Office at 270-687-2787.

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

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INTERVIEW [ Hallow’s Eve ]

J Dylan Gibbs

ust in time for Halloween, the guys behind Hallow’s Eve: Slaughter on 2nd Street, PJ Starks and Rodney Newton took time to tell us about all things Hallows…

Managing Editor

What’s this movie all about, anyway?

Rodney - Owensboro has an old building that’s been converted by its latest owner into a haunted house attraction. Everything seemed to be running smoothly until a group of young folks who were setting up the house for the current season suddenly had a chain of “accidents” that left all but one of them dead, and the one that was left alive... marked. Now the proprietor, having seen the money potential behind the situation, how much money could be made from a “Haunted” haunted house?

The proprietor has called in a small group of • 10 •

five young paranormal investigators (strikingly similar to the Scooby Doo gang, by the way) to investigate. Now they, along with the owner and a few others are all locked in the building for the evening to investigate. The question is, who will survive and who will die trying?

Who were the principal people involved in the writing, production, editing, etc., process?

P.J. - Rodney and I came up with the concept and characters, then I spent about 2 weeks writing the script and fleshing it out with dialogue and such. I helmed as Writer/Director and Rodney took on the role of Producer, I also did the cinematography and edited the final cut. Obviously the cast and crew were the most important elements, without them the film would’ve never been made. Next would be our families, because without their support Hallows Eve would’ve been a drag to shoot. Ralph Mitchell and Melissa Carter who supplied all the special effects and our location. All the

bands who put time and effort to create a kickass soundtrack. In the beginning Hallows Eve started with just Rodney and I, but it ended as a group effort and most definitely a labor of love. Everyone involved provided their time and talents at no cost. We all wanted to be apart of something unique and out of the ordinary, something that was a first of its kind in our community. It was this thought process that motivated us to make sure that the film became a reality. There were many times that it should’ve died, but through the perseverence of so few we succeeded on so many levels. I’m very gracious to the cast and crew of Hallows Eve.

Let’s hear about the party on the 30th; is there a screening of the movie along with the music?

P.J. - Friday, October 30th will be reserved as an opportunity to meet the people behind the scenes and listen to the amazing soundtrack played live. We’ll be doing some interviews,

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

probably putting people on the spot and also doing giveaways. This party is literally the culmination of the past 2 years, it’ll be a fun night and at the end everyone can take a piece of it home with them.

What’s in store for the future of the project? Festivals?

P.J. - For all intents and purposes Hallows Eve is ready for people’s DVD shelves. Aside from a showing and Q&A on the campus of University of Louisville on October 20th we have no more plans to submit to festivals. In all honesty there isn’t much more we can do with the project. Our original goal was to expose the incredible talent pool that we have within the community and showcase their abilities. The project garnered tons of attention nationally and overseas, being posted on Italian, German, English & Spanish websites; obtaining an official IMDB page; hitting major horror sites such as Dread Central, BloodyDisgusting & Arrowinthehead; receiving 12+ positive reviews; being featured on USAToday. com & The HollywoodReporter.com, we were even contacted by Fangoria, Rue-Morgue & GoreZone publications. The icing on the cake was having David Breckman, a Hollywood director so impressed by our project, cast his short film Murder In Kentucky using many of the actors from Hallows Eve, even writing a role specifically for actor Robert Denton. The film has done everything we set out to do and more, mission accomplished!

Are you working on any new screenplays/projects?

P.J. - We are in pre-production on a short film called A Mind Beside Itself, a psychological romance. We knew two things going into this project; A. It had to be something far removed from horror & B. It had to have a new visual style and atmosphere that completely set

itself apart from our previous endeavor. The story itself deals with particular subject matter and after some research I wrote the script and then we immediately began sending it to everyone involved, including David Breckman (Writer/Producer/Director of Monk & SNL Fame) who offered to help us out by taking on the role as script doctor. The film, though a short, is larger in scope and the bulk of the shooting will take place in Nashville, TN. Nathan Morris an up and coming singer/ songwriter out of Nashville and native of Owensboro will be playing the lead. Our crew this time around has taken a larger and more professional hit as we have Adam Tyler, a professional Steadicam Operator, coming from LA to take on the role of Director of Photography. Joey Schell will be coming from LA as Art Director and Jessica McFarland who resides in London, UK will be composing the score.

Aside from that we’re in early development on another feature, a situation college comedy called Holy Spirits. Our biggest project is a local film festival we are putting together called the Indie Experience Film Festival or ND-X

photos by Verite Pictures

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

for short. It’s not going to be your typical film festival. Obviously there will be films shown, but the real festival is all about the social networking with likeminded filmmakers. The festival will consist of in depth seminars and workshops with industry professionals as well as high end vendors like Sony or Red that will be in attendance to show off their latest technology and give participants an opportunity to experience it first hand. We want people to come from all around to get the same opportunity we were given, to experience Hollywood in Owensboro. Indie Experience Film Festival Coming 2011!

Anything else you want to chip in about the movie and/or DVD release party?

Rodney - What we set out to do with this project was to inspire people who for hobby or career aspiration want to make movies. We have a passion for Owensboro and its talent and we wanted to incorporate that and showcase the abilities of the people that live and work amongst us, and that being said, that is exactly what happened.

P.J. - The party is free to attend and we invite everyone to come join us on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at FYE in Towne Square Mall.

Bands playing include: Far From Fallen, Left With Scars, Suspect Stereo, Daniel Benedict and Factory Damage. Party starts at 5 p.m. Matt Branham Copies of the film will be on sale for $10. You can also obtain a copy of Hallows Eve: Slaughter on Second Street or learn more than you ever wanted to know about the production process by visiting the official website www.hallowsevemovie.com. I also wanted to thank everyone involved that made all this possible. Before you all we were just 2 guys with a dream, because of you that has changed. I’ll see you on the set of Hallows Eve 2.

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Barbeque George’s Bar-B-Q 1362 E 4th St 926-9276 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards Moonlite Bar-B-Q inn 2840 W. Parrish Ave 684-8143 $5-$15/Casuals/Beer & Wine/All Major Credit Cards Old Hickory B-B-Q 338 Washington Ave 926-9000 Under $10/Casulll/All Major Credit Cards Ole South Barbeque 3523 Highway 54 E 926-6464 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards

Café & Bakery cheddar’s casual café 3040 Highland Pointe Dr. Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards daily delicious 603 Park Plaza Dr. 685-2468 Under $10/Casual/VISA,MC Johnnie’s Jungle café 819 E. 9th St 686-8424 Under $10/Casual Miss daisy’s Tea Room 404 E. 24th St 684-5001 Under $15-$25/Casual/Reservations Reccomended/All Major Credit Cards Panera Bread 4600 Frederica St. 683-9033 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards Tammy’s Bakery 1731 W. Parrish Ave 689-1988 Under $10/Casual

House of chiu 3011 Frederica St 926-6451 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/Checks Accepted/All Major Credit Cards New china Buffet Restaurant 4768 Frederica St 683-7363 Under $10/Casual/Reservations Accepted/Checks Accepted/All Major Credit Cards Super Buffet 3200 Villa Point, Suite A 684-8858 Under $10/Casual/Credit Cards

Deli colby’s deli and cafe 401 Frederica 684-2495 Under $10/Casual/Reservations Accepted/Checks Accepted/All Major Credit Cards Great Harvest Bread co.

3211 Frederica St. 691-0093 Under $10/Casual/Catering city Subs 3600 Frederia St., Ste. F 689-9703 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards Accepted

Family/Homestyle Barney’s 420 Frederica St. 683-8919 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards Bob Evans 3123 Kentucky Hwy 54 683-3515 $10-$15/Casual/All Major Credit Cards cadaillac Restaurant & Grecian 1315 W. 2nd St. 685-1020 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards

Chinese Hong kong chinese 1650 Starlite Dr. 852-7777 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards House of canton 2845 W. Parish Ave 683-7662 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/Checks Accepted/All Major Credit Cards

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EATS

[ RESTAURANT GUIDE ]

cracker Barrel 5311 Frederica St. 684-4118 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards country Ham Restaurant 5421 U.S. Hwy. 60 W. 926-9249 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

EATS

[ RESTAURANT GUIDE ] EZ’s country kitchen 3720 Hartford Rd. 270-684-0081 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards Jd’s Restaurant 1420 Breckenridge St. 683-9419 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards Lambert’s diner 12637 Highway 231 Utica, KY Under $10/Casual/Checks Accepted/All Major Credit Cards O’charley’s Restaurant 5205 Frederica St 686-8780 Under $10/Casual/ Reservations/Full Bar/All Major Credit Cards Pangea café 1320 Carter Rd. 689-9824 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards Ryan’s Family Steakhouse 4500 Frederica St 691-9787 Under $10/Casual/Checks Accepted/All Major Credit Cards The 8 Ball Restaurant 1846 Triplett 683-3693 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar The Royce Restaurant 704 W 2nd St 685-5940 Under $10/Casual Shoney’s 4710 Frederica St. 686-7217 Under $10/CasualAll Major Credit Cards T.G.i. Fridays 5135 Frederica 686-1910 $10-$15/Casual/Full Bar/All Major Credit Cards

Fine Dining Briarpatch Restaurant 2760 Veach Rd 685-3329 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/Reservations/Checks Accepted/All Major Credit Cards

colby’s Fine Food & Spirits 202 W Third St 685-4239 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/Reservations/Checks Accepted/ Major Credit Cards Z’s 1100 Walnut St. 852-2322 $10-$15/Casual/ Reservations Accepted/Full Bar/Checks Accepted/All Major Credit Cards

Greek The Famous Bistro 102 W 2nd St 686-8202 $10-$15/Casual/ Reservations Accepted/ Beer & Wine/All Major Credit Cards

Italian Niko’s italian cuisine 2200 E Parrish Ave 270-852-1618 $10-$15/Casual/ Reservations Accepted/Full Bar/All Major Credit Cards The Olive Garden Restaurant 5204Frederica St 683-4848 Under $10/Casual/ Reservations/Full Bar/All Major Credit Cards

Japanese Fuji Japanese Steak House 4028 Frederica St. 685-0046 / 685-0048 $10-$20/Casual/Full Bar/All Major Credit Cards Ninki Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar Hwy. 54 (Next to Kohl’s) Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/ MC, Visa Shogun Steak, Seafood & Sushi Bar 5010 Wildcat Way (by Walmart) 270-685-9980 $10-$15/Casual/Full Bar/ Reservations Reccomended/ All Major Credit Cards

Tokyo Japanese Fountain Sq., Frederica St. 926-1020 $5-$10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards Mexican casa Martinez 3332 Villa Pt 683-4191 Under $10-$15/Casual/Full Bar/Checks Accepted/All Major Credit Cards

MaMa Lea’s Pizza 4748 Frederica St. 685-4700 $5-$15/Casual/All Major Credit Cards Maloney’s Roca Bar 3030 Highland Point Dr. 684-8080 Under $10/Casual/All Major Credit Cards

don Julio Mexican 3955 E. 4th St. 689-2125 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/ All Major Credit Cards

Pizza by the Guy 3115 Commonwealth Ct. 686-8603 1915 W. Parrish Ave. Suite 100 685-4694 Under $10/Casual/VISA, MC

El Toribio 3034 E 4th St 683-8361 101 Frederica St 685-2040 630 Emory Drive 691-6133 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/ Credit Cards

Pizzaroma 1401 Carter Rd 684-1171 3011 Frederica St 684-0611 3020 Hwy 60 E 691-0064 Under $10/Casual/ Credit Cards

Los Amigos Mexican 1146 Carter Rd. 926-4560 Town Square Mall Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/ Checks Accepted/MC,VISA

Private Dining

Real Hacienda 636 Southtown Blvd 685-5950 3118 E. Alvey Park Dr. 684-5595 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/ All Major Credit Cards Salsarita’s Fresh cantina Hwy. 54 (Next to Kohl’s) Under $10/Casual/Beer & Wine/MC, Visa

Pizza & Wings 54 Pizza Express 1700 Starlite 683-5400 3101 E. Alvey Park Dr. 683-5454 Under $10/Casual/Credit Cards Buffalo Wild Wings 4736 Frederica St. 686-7800 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/ VISA,MC cecilia’s Pizza 1741 Scherm Rd. 684-0050 Under $10/Casual/VISA,MC Johnny B’s Amazing Wings & Things 4820 Frederica St. 688-8100 Hwy 41 S. 830-7700 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/ All Major Credit Cards

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

The Summit 6501 Summit Dr. 281-4653 Under $10-$15/Casual/Full Bar/Checks Accepted/All Major Credit Cards

Pubs Applebee’s Grill and Bar 5120 Frederica St 240-4720 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/ All Major Credit Cards Bacchus Bar & Grill 119 E. 2nd St. 684-9880 $10 - $25/Casual/Full Bar/ All Major Credit Cards Big Ed’s Pool & Pub 2210 W. 2nd st.

(270) 689-2200 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/ All Major Credit Cards Blackwell’s Sports Bar, diner & deli (Madisonville) 11 W. Center (270) 245-0122 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/ All Major Credit Cards Blind Parrot 736 Frederica St 684-5554 $10-$15/Casual/Full Bar/ Checks Accepted/All Major Credit Cards Bully’s Bar & Grill 1900 Lantaff Blvd.

Madisonville, KY (270) 821-8620 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar

Frankie’s Sports Bar & Games 1230 Burlew Blvd.683-2328 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/ VISA,MC O’Bryans Bar & Grill 7006 Hwy. 815 229-9100 Under $10/Casual/Full Bar/ Checks Accepted/All Major Credit Cards Taylor’s Sport Street cafe 2509 W. Parrish Ave 683-5577 Under $10/Casual/ Reservations/Full Bar/ Checks Accepted/All Major Credit

Seafood Paradise city café 3349 Villa Point Dr. 852-1959 Between $10-$15/Casual/ Full Bar/All Major Credit Cards Red’s Fish House 7046 Hwy. 56 221-4000 Between $10-$15/Casual/ Reservations Accepted/ VISA, MC Red Lobster 3410 Frederica St 926-4044 Between $10-$15/Casual/ Full Bar/All Major Credit Cards

Steaks Owensboro Steak House 3600 Frederica St. Suite 7 Hwy. 270-691-9022 $10-$15/Casual/Full Bar/All Major Credit Cards Texas Roadhouse 943 Moseley 689-0086 $10-$15/Casual/Full Bar/All Major Credit Cards Tumbleweed 5257 Frederica St. 685-4111 $10-$15/Casual/ Full Bar/All Major Credit Cards

Vietnamese Owensboro Steak House 3600 Frederica St. Suite 7 Hwy. 270-691-9022 $10-$15/Casual/Full Bar/All Major Credit Cards

• 13 •

EATS

[ What’s Cookin’ ]

every Friday night, and their huge, annual Halloween costume party coming up and you’ve got a family friendly experience that is unique in our community.

We entered through the bar area and were immediately greeted by the bartender, Marty.

He’s the type of guy that can instantly make you feel like you’re at home. He invited us to choose a table. Soon Rachel was at our side to make sure our dining experience was perfect. Her guidance in suggesting the highlights of the menu and speedy, attentive service were impressive. We munched on onion petals with spicy, horseradish dressing and fresh side salads until Chef John appeared with our entrées.

Chef John is a true culinary gem. The pride that he takes in preparing quality food was evident from the taste and presentation of a • 14 •

seemingly simple dinner of meat and potatoes.

We had fallen out of the habit of ordering steak because of past disappointments. Some steaks are too fatty, some are too tough, and most are too bland. However, Chef John’s prime rib was the perfect marriage of a well chosen cut of meat and skillful grilling. Rarely does one come across a steak so juicy and succulent, especially on a Tuesday night.

And just when we thought the meal couldn’t surprise us any further, Rachel mentioned that a visit to O’Bryan’s just isn’t complete without a dessert of fried cheesecake.

How could we resist that? Warm cheese filling wrapped egg-roll style in a crispy crust and drizzled in cherry sauce. I’ll admit; we fought over the last bite. Scrumptious! But the true delight of the evening was yet to come.

Chef John will now be displaying his artistry each week from 6:00 to 9:00 for Thursday Night Special with Chef John. As a preview, Chef John gave us a taste of his first featured dessert, the Cherry Bomb. This portion of devil’s food cake set in cream sauce and topped with chocolate ganache and a cherry made us both stop mid-bite to savor the pure deliciousness.

Each week, he will be bringing new gourmet delights to little West Louisville. Sounds like the perfect evening: A short drive through the beautiful farm country of Daviess County, a creative and satisfying meal, and back home in time for Thursday night primetime!

In fact, any day is the perfect day to visit O’Bryan’s Bar and Grill. With daily lunch and dinner specials, two outdoor patios, and a bar, O’Bryan’s can satisfy any mood or cause for celebration. Check out the Friday Night Fish and Frog Legs Specials or order from the menu of grill favorites, sandwiches, and pizza. After 9:00, O’Bryan’s is closed to patrons under 21 and smoking is allowed.

Be sure to check out the talented regular entertainment at O’Bryan’s as well. The first Friday each month is Wildman and Randy.

The second Friday is Pete Beard.

The third Friday is Andy and the Rockers. The fourth Friday showcases different acts each month.

And coming up this month, don’t miss O’Bryan’s Luau on Saturday, October 10th and the massive Halloween Party on Saturday, October 31.

Wear your favorite costume, enjoy the spooky fun, and win amazing prizes! Take the drive; you won’t be disappointed!

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

photos: Albers

L

ittle did we know that a short Contributors drive in the country would lead to a fabulous meal and instant old friends at O’Bryan’s Bar and Grill.

Ten miles down Hwy 56 from Owensboro is West Louisville, Kentucky, the home of this eatery since 1948. Don’t let the humble outside appearance fool you, O’Bryan’s Bar and Grill features tasty food in a comfortable atmosphere without the long wait or the hefty price of chain restaurants. Throw in the live music

Josh & Katie Albers

INTERVIEW [ Fred Noe ]

“M

ay

PHOTOS BY BOURBON BLOG

there be no hell. And if there is, I’ll see you there.” As Tom we raise our Fischer Contributor glasses to this toast, today feels more like Heaven (for bourbon lovers, that is). Jim Beam’s great-grandson Fred Noe has invited us to a lunch and bourbon tasting at his home in Bardstown, Kentucky. After adding some flavor by tossing Booker’s Bourbon to the ribs beginning to cook on the fire, a Kentucky bluegrass trio breaks into “Ring of Fire.”

“That was my Dad’s favorite toast,” says Noe. Booker’s was also the signature bourbon of his late father Booker Noe. At nearly 127-proof with between 6 to 8 years of age, it was the first uncut, unfiltered, straightfrom-the-barrel bourbons available for retail. Fred Know is the seventh-generation in the family and is the Master Distiller, overseeing the entire bourbon making process. We’ve tasted four Jim Beam Small Batch bourbons tasting the characteristics in each one: Big oak, vanilla, caramel, and roasted notes.

Welcome to the Sonoma Valley just in the backyard of our Tri-State region. This could be even better because the proof is much higher and the company makes the mark of Southern hospitality.

Fred walks us into his house originally owned Jim Beam on a street called Distiller’s Row. If ever a person encapsulated everything that seems right about Americana, Fred Noe is a character as genuine has the bourbon he makes.

NOE: Jim Beam moved his family here around 1900 and a Beam family member has been here ever since.

BB: What exactly is this “Bourbon Q” attending today?

NOE: We roll things together here in Kentucky. We taste a little bourbon and have a little barbeque.

Dad did it from the very beginning of bourbon festival. It is one of those traditions we are not going to let die. It’s neat to get our friend and family in here.

Your father Booker had such an influence on the Bourbon industry. How does his spirit live on?

The Booker’s Bourbon by far. Dad developed it. He selected the barrels. Every time I make it, I think about Dad. That was his baby and I continue to do it. That is what he liked. I enjoy being the one to carry that tradition on and every bottle that goes out, there is still a little bit of my Dad in it.

Tell us about the Small Batch Collection.

The reason there is four of them, is because there is different flavors for different palettes. If you like your lighter bourbons, you got Basil Hayden’s.

If you are a single malt scotch enthusiast, I recommend Knob Creek with more age and wood.

Baker’s is more like a Cognac. Booker’s is for the person that wants experience bourbon the way it used to be. As I’ve said, the way it was it was meant to be.

member to carry this tradition on. I want to continue to produce the world’s finest bourbon and spread it across the world. Someday, when my son gets older and we put him to work, we will be very proud to pass the torch to the 8th generation.

I’ll be done. I will have made my mark. I can sit back on the front porch and sip me a little some Kentucky Tea, which is Booker’s Bourbon and a lot of water. I will watch the world go by on Distiller’s Row in front of the house.

Thanks for having BourbonBlog.com and Tripodder.com in.

Come back anytime. Door is always open!

With Booker’s, you cut it with water down to the strength you want to drink it. It is one bourbon that you can put on the rocks, and as the rocks melt, the bourbon gets better. Most bourbons get watered down and loose their flavor. As the rocks melt and you swirl it around on the rocks, it opens up. Then you can getcha an even better taste of it.

You have an incredible line of bourbons and a rich heritage. What are you most proud of?

I’m proud that our family has stuck around this business for 213 years. I’m proud to be the 7th generation Beam family to be in the business and

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

Fred Noe tells us that an ever growing door and experience is open to the public who make the roughly two hour and a half hour journey from the Tri-State to visit the Jim Beam’s Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. We suggest making a stop now at Jim Beam and other distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. However, a multi-million dollar development project is now underway to create a new Welcome Center complex at Jim Beam called the “Visitor’s Experience.” It is expected to be completed in April 2011.

Visit BourbonBlog.com or Tripodder.com to watch this and other stories. Of course, we only encourage responsible drinking by those who are of legal age. Don’t drink and drive.

• 15 •

Acropolis (North Side) 812-475-9320 Oct 17:Greek Night Bullock’s Bar & Grill 812-422-2800 Oct 3:Tattoo Contest with Biker Joe casino Aztar - cavanaugh’s Piano Bar 1-800-342-5386 Oct 1-2:Bob Green Oct 3-4:Clayton Daugherty Oct 5:Bob Green Oct 6-7:Clayton Daugherty Oct 8:Bob Green Oct 9-10:Clayton Daugherty Oct 11-13:Bob Green Oct 14:Clayton Daugherty Oct 15-16:Bob Green Oct 17-18:Clayton Daugherty Oct 19-20 6:00 PM:Bob Green Oct 21:Clayton Daugherty Oct 22:Bob Green Oct 23-25:Clayton Daugherty Oct 26-27:Bob Green Oct 28:Clayton Daugherty Oct 29-30:Bob Green Oct 31:Clayton Daugherty casino Aztar-Hoosiers Lounge 812-433-4100 Oct 2-3:Eric Agnew Oct 4:Doc Stocker Oct 6-7:The Shagadelics

• 16 •

Oct 7:The Shagadelics Oct 9-10:Rick K & The Allnighters Oct 11:Steve Greenwell Trio Oct 13-14:The Marlinaires Oct 16-17:BBI Oct 18:Bob Minnettes Swing Cats Oct 20-21:Nu Corp Band Oct 23-24:The Duke Boys Oct 25:Greg Anderson Big Band Oct 27-28:Amazing Soul Crackers Oct 30-31:Jimmy Church Band Oct 31:Halloween Party/Costume Contest centre, The 812-435-5550 Oct 3:Jeremy Camp Oct 8:The Wedding Oct 10:Celtic Woman “Isle of Hope” Tour 2009 Oct 13:Evansville’s Celebration Diversity Lecture with Marlee Matlin Oct 16:Taste Of Home Cooking Show Oct 25: cricket’s 812-858-2782 Oct 1:Whiskers (Rod Bennett & others) Oct 8:Jay Johnson Oct 15:The Jimmies

Oct 22:Andy Norvell Oct 29:Common Ground Oct 31:Halloween Party w/ Woodsboro/Costume Contest deerhead Sidewalk cafe 812-425-2515 Every Sunday: Troy Miller at 5 p.m.; Tommy Stillwell & the Amazing Soul Crackers at 9 p.m.

Oct 2:Hog-Maw Blues Band Oct 3:Skelton’s Montourage Oct 6:Andria Reed Oct 7:Michelle Skelton Oct 9:Ashes & Rain Oct 10:The Dang Heathens Oct 13:Jason Nellis Oct 14:Shawn Needham & The Black Sheep Oct 16:The Sellouts Oct 17:Calabash Oct 20:Bobby Clark Oct 21:Tommy Stillwell & Friends Oct 23:Yankee Dime Oct 24:Namaste Oct 27:Bobby Clark Oct 28:The Moccasins Oct 30:Shaggy Wonda Oct 31:Booze & Blues Halloween Bash w/The Smoke Rings

Evansville civic Theatre 812-425-2800 Oct 2-4:Greater Tuna

ROAD TRIP

Fast Eddy’s 812-424-7625 Every Thursday:103GBF Thong Thursday with Christine & DJ Jon B Oct 2:Crawpuppies Oct 3:Rockshow Oct 9-10:Stompbox 40 Oct 16-17:Ellusion Oct 23-24:Rukkus Oct 30:Gonzo’s Toybox/Costume Contest Oct 31:Halloween Party w/ Gonzo’s Toybox/Costume Contest Hollywood Bar & Grill East 402-5122 Oct 2-3:River’s Edge icon Bar & Nightclub 812-471-4872 Oct 2-3:DJ Mikus Oct 9:DJ Figure Oct 10:DJ K-Dogg Oct 16-17:DJ Mikus Oct 23:DJ Figure Oct 24:DJ K-Dogg Oct 30:DJ Figure

[ Evansville ]

Oct 31:Halloween Bash w/ DJ Figure Mesker Amphitheatre 812-476-1383 ext 40 Oct 2:Rocky Horror Picture Victory Theatre 812-435-5550 Oct 2:Corey Smith Oct 3-4:Evansville Philharmonic’s ‘Classical Mystery Tour’ Oct 21:Victory For Kids ‘The Rainbow Fish’ Oct 24:Evansville Philharmonic’s ‘A Night with Nino’ Woody’s 812-468-9400 Oct 3:Uncle Kracker/Gonzo’s Toybox Oct 10:HBB Oct 17:Never Been Caught Oct 24:Cheap Seats Country Series Oct 31: Halloween Party & Costume Contest w/Velcro Pygmies

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

GOING OUT [ CLUBS

2nd Street Bar 820 W 2nd St. 270-683-7422

AND

PUBS ]

club 300 Lounge 600 E. 14th St. 270-684-5372

The 8 Ball 1846 Triplett St. 270-683-3693

club 701 701 Frayser St. 270-314-5008

Bacchus Bar & Grill 119 E. 2nd St. 270-240-4720

crazy Scorpion Saloon 4416 Hwy. 60 East 270-240-4583

Big Ed’s Pool & Pub 2210 W. 2nd St. 270-689-2200

Milligans Lounge 3136 W. 2nd St. 270-685-3946 O’Bryan’s Bar & Grill 7006 Hwy 815 270-229-9100 Our Place 718 West 9th St. 270-683-9882 Pappy’s 604 Crabtree Ave. 270-684-4573

Equals Bar, LLc 1006 E. 4th St. 270-313-0820

Blackwell’s Sports Bar, diner and deli Ø 11 W. Center St. (Madisonville) 270-245-0122

Sandbar 1108 W. 9th 270-686-0007

Frankie’s Sports Bar & Games 1230 Burlew Blvd.

270-683-2328

Sixty West 800 W. 2nd St. 270-689-9907

Blind Parrot 736 Frederica St. 270-684-5554

Hd Shakers 414 West 2nd St. 270-926-6431

Buffalo Wild Wings Ø 4736 Frederica St. 270-686-7800

Johnny B’s Amazing Wings & Things Ø 4820 Frederica St. 270-688-8100

The Boiler Room 1100 Walnut St. 270-684-4999

Millay’s Tavern 9431 HWY 144, Philpot KY 270-681-0736

Taylor’s Bar & Grill 2509 W. Parrish Ave. 270-683-5577 The Yellow Rose 3220 W. 2nd St. 270-926-6104

KEY: Ø= No Smoking NS = Non-Smoking Section Available

HELP US KEEP THIS LIST UPDATED! IF YOU ARE IN A BAND OR OPENING A NEW CLUB/PUB, PLEASE SEND US YOUR INFO!

EDITOR@NEWS-4U.COM

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

• 17 •

Thursday, October 1

Tim Lynch Band

Frankie’s Sports Bar

Equals -- Karaoke/

& Games -- Hidden

Big Ed’s -- Karaoke

Random Dance

Element

Big Ed’s -- Roy Kyle

Contest/Free Pool/

Surprises/Halloween

Owensboro Music

Night Life Acoustic/

Ladies Night

Runway after

Center -- 1st Annual

Karaoke/Open Mic/

Boiler Room, The --

Midnight

Musician’s Flea

Free Pool Lessons

Cornhole

Frankie’s Sports Bar

Market & Swap

Boiler Room, The --

Equals -- Piano

& Games -- Hidden

Meet

Open Mic Night with

Night

Element

Frankie’s Sports

O’Bryan’s Bar

Bar & Games -- Hip

& Grill -- Live

Hop Night hosted by

Entertainment

Casper/Ladies Night

Monday, October 5

Tuesday, October 6

NIGHT LIFE

[ OWENSBORO LISTINGS ] NEWS4UOWENSBORO.COM

Andy Brasher & Games -- Beer

Big Ed’s -- Pool

Friday, October 9

Pong/Big Letdown

Big Ed’s -- Roy Kyle

Been Caught

League

w/ Criss Cheatham/

Night Life Acoustic/

River Park Center

Cornhole

Karaoke/8 Ball bar

– Ricky Skaggs &

Rules Tourney/

Kentucky Thunder

Frankie’s Sports Bar

Wednesday, October 7

Steppin’ Stone Boiler Room, The -DJ Romeo Equals -- Karaoke/

Western Kentucky

Roy Kyle Night Life

Random Dance

Botanical Garden --

Acoustic/Karaoke

Surprises/Halloween

The WannaBeatles

Boiler Room, The --

Runway after

Band

Karaoke w/Songbird

Midnight

Entertainment

Frankie’s Sports Bar

Equals -- Karaoke

& Games -- Never

Frankie’s Sports Bar

Been Caught

& Games -- Top 40

O’Bryan’s Bar

College Night

& Grill -- Live Entertainment River Park Center -- Classic Film Club Series

Contest/Free Pool/ Ladies Night

Saturday, October 10

Boiler Room, The -Cornhole

Big Ed’s -- Steppin’

Equals -- Piano

Stone/9 Ball Bar

Night

Rules Tourney

Boiler Room, The --

Frankie’s Sports

Boiler Room, The --

Beer Pong

Bar & Games -- Hip

DJ Romeo

Friday, October 2

Saturday, October 3

Big Ed’s -- Roy Kyle

Big Ed’s -- Karaoke

Equals -- Shawn

Hop Night hosted by

Diamond Lake

Night Life Acoustic/

Weekend/9 Ball Bar

Brashear

Casper/Ladies Night

Resort -- Diamond

Karaoke/8 Ball bar

Rules Tourney

Frankie’s Sports Bar

Lake Yard Sale

Rules Tourney

Boiler Room, The --

& Games -- 8 Ball

Equals -- Show

Big Ed’s -- Karaoke

Tim Lynch Band

Tourney

Night

Weekend

Equals -- Show

River Park Center --

Boiler Room, The --

Night

Taste Of Owensboro

• 18 •

Sunday, October 11

Mic Acoustic Jam w/

Big Ed’s -- Karaoke

The Wannabeatles are performing at the Western Kentucky Botaniclal Gardens October 11th.

& Games -- Never

Big Ed’s -- Open

Thursday, October 8

WANNA... WHO-AH?

Frankie’s Sports Bar

Monday, October 12 Big Ed’s -- Pool League Boiler Room, The -Beer Pong Equals -- Shawn Brashear Frankie’s Sports Bar & Games -- 8 Ball Tourney River Park Center -The Wedding Singer

Tuesday, October 13 Big Ed’s -- Roy Kyle Night Life Acoustic/ Karaoke/Open Mic/ Free Pool Lessons Boiler Room, The -Open Mic Night with Andy Brasher

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

Frankie’s Sports Bar & Games -- 99 MPH/Good Speed

NIGHT LIFE

[ OWENSBORO LISTINGS ] NEWS4UOWENSBORO.COM

Monday, October 19 Big Ed’s -- Pool League Boiler Room, The

& Games -- Beer

Friday, October 16

Pong/Big Letdown

Big Ed’s -- Roy Kyle

w/ Criss Cheatham/

Night Life Acoustic/

Cornhole

Karaoke/8 Ball bar

Frankie’s Sports Bar

Wednesday, October 14

Rules Tourney/ Karaoke Weekend Boiler Room, The

Big Ed’s -- Open

-- Akacia

Mic Acoustic Jam

Diamond Lake

w/Roy Kyle Night

Resort -- 5th Annual

Life Acoustic/

Boo Fest

Karaoke

Equals -- Karaoke/

Boiler Room, The --

Random Dance

Karaoke w/Songbird

Surprises/

Entertainment

Halloween Runway

Equals -- Karaoke

after Midnight

Frankie’s Sports

Frankie’s Sports

Bar & Games -- Top

Bar & Games --

40 College Night

Blackberry Smoke

Thursday, October 15 Big Ed’s -- Karaoke Contest/Free Pool/ Ladies Night

O’Bryan’s Bar & Grill -- Live Entertainment

Saturday, October 17

Boiler Room, The

Big Ed’s -- Karaoke

-- Cornhole

Weekend/9 Ball Bar

Equals -- Piano

Rules Tourney

Night

Boiler Room, The

Frankie’s Sports

-- Akacia

Bar & Games -- Hip

Diamond Lake

Hop Night hosted

Resort -- 5th Annual

by Casper/Ladies

Boo Fest

Night

Equals -- Show Night

-- Beer Pong Equals -- Shawn Brashear Frankie’s Sports Bar & Games -- 8 Ball Tourney

Tuesday, October 20 Big Ed’s -- Roy Kyle Night Life Acoustic/ Karaoke/Open Mic/ Free Pool Lessons Boiler Room, The -Open Mic Night with Andy Brasher Frankie’s Sports Bar & Games -- Beer Pong/Big Letdown w/ Criss Cheatham/ Cornhole

Wednesday, October 21 Big Ed’s -- Open Mic Acoustic Jam w/Roy Kyle Night Life Acoustic/ Karaoke Boiler Room, The -Karaoke w/Songbird Entertainment Equals -- Karaoke Frankie’s Sports Bar & Games -- Top 40 College Night

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

• 19 •

Thursday, October 22

Frankie’s Sports

Theatre Workshop

Pong/Big Letdown

Bar & Games -- Flat

of Owensboro --

w/ Criss Cheatham/

Big Ed’s -- Karaoke

Stanley

Come Blow Your

Cornhole

Contest/Free Pool/

O’Bryan’s Bar

Horn

Ladies Night

& Grill -- Live

Boiler Room, The --

Entertainment

Cornhole

Theatre Workshop

Equals -- Piano

of Owensboro --

Big Ed’s -- Pool

Mic Acoustic Jam w/

Night

Come Blow Your

League

Roy Kyle Night Life

Frankie’s Sports

Horn

Boiler Room, The --

Acoustic/Karaoke

Beer Pong

Boiler Room, The --

Equals -- Shawn

Karaoke w/Songbird

Brashear

Entertainment

Big Ed’s -- TBA/9

Frankie’s Sports Bar

Equals -- Karaoke

Friday, October 23

Ball Bar Rules

& Games -- 8 Ball

Frankie’s Sports Bar

Tourney

Tourney

& Games -- Top 40

Friday, October 30

Big Ed’s -- Roy Kyle

Boiler Room, The --

College Night

Big Ed’s -- Roy Kyle

Soulunique

Come Blow Your

Night Life Acoustic/

Diamond Lake

Horn

Rules Tourney/TBA

Resort -- 5th Annual

Big Ed’s -- Roy Kyle

Thursday, October 29

Night Life Acoustic/

Karaoke/8 Ball bar Boiler Room, The --

Boo Fest

Night Life Acoustic/

Big Ed’s -- Karaoke

Karaoke/Open Mic/

Contest/Free Pool/

Bar & Games -- Hip Hop Night hosted by Casper/Ladies Night

Saturday, October 24

Soulunique

Monday, October 26

Tuesday, October 27

Wednesday, October 28

NIGHT LIFE

[ OWENSBORO LISTINGS ]

Big Ed’s -- Open

NEWS4UOWENSBORO.COM Frankie’s Sports

Halloween Runway

Bar & Games -- Hip

after Midnight

Hop Night hosted by

O’Bryan’s Bar

Casper/Ladies Night

& Grill -- Live Entertainment Theatre Workshop of Owensboro --

Karaoke/8 Ball bar Rules Tourney Boiler Room, The -Flat Stanley

Saturday, October 31 (Happy Halloween!)

Big Ed’s -- LIve Music/9 Ball Tournament Bar Rules Boiler Room, The -Flat Stanley Diamond Lake Resort -- 5th Annual Boo Fest Equals -- Show Night/Halloween Costume Contest Party Frankie’s Sports

DANCE TO SOME FUNKY R & B

Soulunique is bringing some sweet sounds to the Boiler Room October 23rd & 24th

Bar & Games -Halloween Party w/ August Christopher

Ladies Night

Diamond Lake

Equals -- Show

Free Pool Lessons

Resort -- 5th Annual

Night

Boiler Room, The --

Boiler Room, The --

Boo Fest

Frankie’s Sports

Open Mic Night with

Cornhole

Equals -- Karaoke/

Bar & Games -- Flat

Andy Brasher

Equals -- Piano

Random Dance

Stanley

Frankie’s Sports Bar

Night

Surprises/

& Games -- Beer

Diamond Lake

O’Bryan’s Bar & Grill

Resort -- 5th Annual

-- Halloween Bash

Boo Fest

Theatre Workshop

Equals -- Karaoke/

of Owensboro --

Random Dance

Come Blow Your

Surprises/

Horn

Halloween Runway • 20 •

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

Akacia Representing four decades of rock

S

ince first hitting the Owensboro scene from north of the Ohio River this past summer, Akacia (pronounced ‘Ah-Kay-Sha’) has the power to make crowds move and groove, thanks to the diverse musical tastes of each of Dylan Gibbs the band’s four members. With Managing Charlie Dicus’ lead vocals and Editor fully rocked-out guitar playing, Mike Blemker’s addition of solid six-stringing and backup vox, Fred Bassett’s grooving, butt-shakin’ bass and the decades-long experience of drummer Joel Doehrmann delivering the goods from the riser.

Akacia’s repertoire includes the old and the new, from classic rock – think Aerosmith, Led Zep, Montrose, ZZ Top, and AC/DC – to newer stuff from the likes of Velvet Revolver, Kings of Leon, Buckcherry, Seether and many, many more.

They’ll even toss in a full-on dance/funk number from The Commodores or Wild Cherry with a dose of crunchy rock thrown in for extra flavor.

Charlie (or Chaz, as he’s also known) chatted with us about all things Akacia: N4U: Let’s talk about how the band got together; what are the origins of Akacia?

Chaz: It was around 2002, and I was invited to play with some guys in Evansville, and that included Mike Blemker, who’s the other guitarist in the band. At that time, we had the name Exosonic; we played a few gigs, changed a few guys over the years… and the current lineup has been around for a little over a year now; Fred was the newest guy in. Him coming into the band has helped out a lot; he comes in with a blues background. He played a lot with Tommy Stillwell & the Hellcats; he’s been around a lot; he’s played some pretty important gigs throughout the world… basically how we got together was by word of mouth, and we all became friends. We’re not just a bunch of musicians who meet for shows; we do get together and hang out and have cookouts.

To kind of name-drop – what are some of the bands Akacia’s members have been a part of in the past?

Our drummer, Joel Doehrmann, back in the early 80s, was with a band called Kikker… he has an article from back then on his basement wall, so he’s been around for a long time. Of course Fred, we talked about that, he’s been with Tommy Stillwell.

Mike, he has kind of the same past as I do… I don’t want to say ‘no-name’ bands… I’m originally from Illinois, and I got my start when I was 18, playing in bars. Mike and I had mutual friends along the way, and that’s how we got together.

The songs you guys play – how do you pick ‘em?

When we first got together, we focused more on doing new rock. We thought that that was what Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

we needed to be playing in order to get the gigs.

And it almost seemed like we were doing too much new rock… you can never go wrong – as clichéd as it sounds – with playing a little bit of classic rock. With all of our influences, Joel is more of an Album-Oriented drummer. He loves Rush; he loves the bands of the 70s and early 80s. I grew up on classic country and pop music of the 80s, but I turned around and started loving the old school heavy metal; that’s kind of where Mike is too; he’s also a hard hitter with the blues. Fred goes with the flow; especially with his blues past – that’s his forte. Over the years we got away from just doing the new rock; we started adding classic rock. And then we started adding stuff from the middle; it isn’t so much that we’re playing what the people want to hear – that’s a part of it – but when you see us onstage, you’ll see four guys who genuinely like to play what we’re playing.

How about your gear? What are your tools of choice?

I got a Crate Voodoo 120; it doesn’t stand up to a Marshall; it doesn’t stand up to a Mesa Boogie; I’ll be the first to say that. It was very industrial metalsounding; I got it in 1996 as a graduation gift, and it did the job at the time, and over the years, after learning about tubes and getting a degree in audio production, I’ve had it hard-wired – went through a couple of rounds of different tubes – it has Ruby tubes in it now; I used to use Groove tubes. It has taken a lot of the bite out it and given it more of a growl. Most of the places you play around here, to get a tube amp to sound good, you gotta crank it up, but you can’t do that in some places. So it’s changed the sound overall in a more positive light.

I have an Ibanez S470; that was my first guitar.

Thanks to Fred, I purchased a Fender Strat Highway 1; that thing plugged into the Crate head is great. I guess you could say it’s like a [Iron] Maiden crunch; it isn’t too overdriven, but it’s just a nice crunch. Occasionally I’ll get the Ibanez out, but it just doesn’t have the beefy-ness like the Strat has.

What’s one of the things you really like about playing in Owensboro?

They have been quite accepting of us, and we are the same of them. They dig the rock & roll. In our eyes, it’s a really fun place. There’s a lot of great places to play in Owensboro; we really enjoy going over there.

And fans of good, solid rock & roll have a number of chances to catch the band in the coming months.

Akacia will be at The Boiler Room October 16 & 17, Borderline Cantina in Tell City November 13 & 14, back at the Boiler Room December 4 & 5 and at Milligan’s December 18 & 19. Be sure to check out myspace.com/akacia and akaciarock.com. for more on what the guys are up to.

• 21 •

On the Farm: Juicy Red Apples are All You Really Need

O

ctober- the time of year when the air becomes crisp and cool and the leaves begin to electrify the landscape. It’s the time of year that makes you want to Melissa run and jump into a giant pile Kaiser of leaves or relax under the Staff Writer shade of a tree and sink your teeth into a delicious juicy peach or apple! On October 17 & 18 you’ll have that opportunity at Reid’s Orchard’s 23rd annual Apple Festival!

Reid’s Orchard opened its doors in 1873, and has since become an Owensboro favorite destination for fresh fruits, vegetables, and beautiful flowers. Open all year, they sell everything from various kinds of berries to squash to pumpkins to mums, with their apple harvest as their main focus.

The Apple Festival held at Reid’s Orchard has become a local tradition, giving families something to look forward to each year. If you have never been, then you must take the time to enjoy one of the Top 10 Festivals of Kentucky! People young and old will enjoy the “old country fair atmosphere” which draws people in and transports them to a relaxing setting where the only worry is deciding on what delicious item to eat and which beautiful decoration to buy. Over 90 craft booths will feature handmade crafts by local artisans, including jewelry, soaps, quilted items, fall décor, Christmas and Halloween decorations and wreaths, and painted items. Over 20 food booths will tempt your taste buds with everything from corndogs, funnel cakes, bloomin’ onions, pork burgers, grilled corn and rib eye steak sandwiches to Apple Festival specifics including yummy caramel apple sundaes and delicious apple dumplings. If you can’t find something you love at this festival then…..

• 22 •

Food and crafts are not the only things to do at the Apple Festival; there are plenty of exciting activities for every member of the family, including carnival rides, caricature drawings, a rock climbing wall, horse rides and a small petting zoo! The fire department will be there with their fire safety house. They will also have live demonstrations on the art of basket weaving and broom making.

A fee of $4 per child will let your youngster enjoy the New Reidland Play Area, which will feature a corn maze and a soybean maze, corn

boxes, a 20ft slide called the “apple slider,” and drainage pipes that you can slide through called “rat racers.” This unique play area is sure to be a hit!

There will also be local country, soft rock, and bluegrass bands playing throughout the weekend.

Local fundraising and charity groups will be on hand to inform and raise money for their causes. Stop by and learn more about groups such as “Fighting for Allison”, “Buckle Up for Megan Miller,” and MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

This family attentive event only happens once a year, so if you want to have a great time and enjoy the fall, get out and enjoy Reid’s Orchard’s Apple Festival on Saturday, October 17th from 10 a,m,-6 p.m. and Sunday, October 18th from 12 p.m.-6 p.m.; $2 per vehicle to park. – And please, leave the pets at home. For more information, please call 270-685-2444 or visit www.reidorchard.com.

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

TOT TIME

Are we settled back into the school/extracurricular activity/ [ Kid’s Page ] Lord-knows-what-else rigmarole? No? Well, how about getting those rug rats out of the house for some fun in the best weather season of all – autumn. That’s a completely subjective opinion, of course, but it happens to be correct. So “Nyah,” as my little ones might say.

First Annual Native American Relic & Art Show While certainly not an exclusively children’s related event, this is great for older kids who have an interest in such things. Come and see various tools, relics and other artifacts from the past that represent the rich cultural heritage of the Native American cultures that flourished on this continent and whose techniques live on through reproductions. The Show will be held at the Springs Conference Center on October 3 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cold Stone Creamery will arrive at 11 a.m. to serve their special brand of frozen goodies, too. Come one and all for this fine show, presented by the Western Kentucky Archeological Society.

23rd Annual Farm Festival The Show Grounds on Karns Grove Road is where to be on October 3 and 4 for the ultimate in antique tractors and farm equipment. Restored and worn out stuff will around for your drooling pleasure, and plenty of things to do will be offered, including contests, races, a flea and craft market, rides for the kids, a power parade each day, a garden tractor pull on Sunday the 4th and more. To get there, head east out of town on 54, two miles past Philpot to Karns Grove Road and follow the signs. For more information, call 812-649-9242.

Sesame Street Live – “When Elmo Grows Up”

If your toddler is anything like mine, Elmo’s pretty much the greatest thing next to chocolate milk, drawing on the walls, stripping naked and running wild and questioning everything. The furry red three-year-old Muppet will be joined by Sesame Street relative newcomer Abby Cadabby along with Zoe, Rosita and more happy, friendly monsters from the Children’s Television Workshop for three performances of the musicfilled “When Elmo Grows Up,” October 20 and 21 – 7 p.m. on October 20 and 21, and with a special morning show on the 21st at 10:30.

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

• 23 •

Fight 4 Allyson:

Strength through Others

I

nspiring all with her beautiful smile and her cheerful demeanor, Allyson Funk is a bubbly five- year-old girl from Owensboro, Nick who is full of life.

Durcholz When she was born Staff Writer she was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called Fanconi Anemia (FA), a very illusive and lethal disease. It is a form of aplastic anemia which results in the hindrance of Allyson’s bone marrow from efficiently producing all types of blood cells needed to ensure a fully-functioning circulatory system. Ultimately, it can affect every organ, tissue, and system in the human body. The normal life expectancy of an individual afflicted with this disorder is somewhere between 20 and 30 years of age.

Allyson has reached a daunting pinnacle in her fight with FA. It is now absolutely necessary for her to receive a Bone Marrow Transplant to give her the best shot at overcoming her critical ailment. Her loving and dedicated mother Liz has decided to make semi-permanent residence in Cincinnati. Liz’s goal is to take traveling off the list of stressors for her daughter while she is undergoing radiation treatment and chemotherapy at the city’s children’s hospital to clear out Allyson’s existing bone marrow. New bone marrow has been found for Allyson and while the transplant is in progress she will be given medication to subdue her immune system allowing it to accept the new bone marrow. Allyson has a long and winding road to travel to a full recovery.

In light of the substantial pressure on Allyson and Liz, even the smallest gesture of kindness gives them strength to make it through another day. While Allyson and Liz are eons away from ever admitting defeat, the everyday grind of treatments compounded with other common stresses of life is a taxing combination. More importantly such a procedure incurs an expense so large it is obscene.

There will be and have been many efforts to raise money for Allyson’s intricate operation including a concert at Taylor’s or Parrish Avenue in Owensboro, KY on September 26 and also a pre-order of delicious Boston Butts.

• 24 •

Allyson began the chemotherapy and high doses of radiation on September 17th and her bone marrow transplant took place on the 24th. She entered hospital isolation immediately following the procedure and remain there for four to six weeks so the medication to suppress her immune system has sufficient time to take effect. She will not be out of the woods until 100 days after the transplant. In this span of time her body could reject the new bone marrow. Even after she exits the hospital she will have to live with strict guidelines limiting her contact with other people because of her weakened immune system. After several months she will be allowed to return to Owensboro but will still have restrictions to prevent her from contracting illnesses from outside sources.

Allyson and her mother Liz both have high hopes for success but any type of help, any type of foothold to help them win this epic battle is greatly appreciated and necessary. To learn more or to join the fight for Allyson go to www.fight4allyson.com.

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

MORE POISE, LESS NOISE

River Park Center 270-687-2770

[ Art’s Guide ] Diamond Lake Resort 270-229-4900 Oct 10:Diamond Lake Yard Sale - Do you have “Treasures” in your closet or attic that someone else would love to have? Then this is the event weekend for you. This is Diamond Lake’s final sale of the year.

Oct 16 & 17, 23 & 24, 30 & 31:5th Annual Boo Fest - Calling all ghouls, goblins, witches and warlocks! Head out to Diamond Lake Resort for a spooktacular good time. Activities include a haunted hay ride on Friday nights, and pumpkin painting, games, crafts and scavenger hunts on Saturdays. Non-scary, kid-friendly hayrides will be offered during the day on Saturdays. Friday night start time: 7 p.m. Saturday activities begin at 11 a.m.

Haunts of Owensboro (270) 313-5596 Oct 1-31:Haunts of Owensboro - Take a walking tour of some of downtown Owensboro’s rumored haunted buildings. This 1 1/2 hour tour will cover some of Owensboro’s favorite ghost stories and sightings. Sights include Trinity Center, home of Theatre Workshop of Owensboro, the Area Museum of Science & History, the Daviess County Courthouse, and others. Tours begin and end at The Creme Coffee House at 109 E. 2nd Street. Fridays and Saturdays, or by special appointment. Call for reservations. (270) 313-5596.

Owensboro

Museum

of

Fine

Art

270-685-3181 Oct 1-17:”Expressions” Exhibit - The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art’s new exhibit showcases more than fifty recent gifts to the museum’s collection.

Owensboro Music Center 270-684-2156 Oct 3:1st Annual Musician’s Flea Market & Swap Meet - Calling all musicians! Get rid of unwanted items for cash and pick up some deals along the way. Begins at 9:05 a.m. Contact Gordy at the Music Center for more info.

Oct 5:Taste Of Owensboro Let your taste buds tingle with anticipation before this mouthwatering event that features the best cuisine of our area! The Taste of Owensboro, RiverPark Center. Over 30 restaurants and beverage vendors will be onhand to let you sample the best cuisine this side of the Ohio River. This fabulous evening offers more than just sumptuous samples; you will also enjoy entertainment of Jazz sensation of Charlene Blay and The Second Edition, The world renowned pianist Dr. Diane Earle, and the dynamic duo Randy Lanham and Wildman. Every inch of the River Park Center will be occupied by cuisine, beverages and entertainment.

Legendary writer Neil Simon’s first Broadway hit, Come Blow Oct 9:Classic Film Club Series Your Horn, comes to the Theatre Workshop of Owensboro Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder. An this month. ex-tennis pro carries out a plot to murder his wife. When things go wrong, he improvises a brilliant Simon’s first Broadway comedy smash. Alan plan B. This award winner stars Grace Kelly Baker, a 30-ish swinging bachelor with time, and Ray Milland. Begins at 6:45 p.m.in the Jody money and women to spare, welcomes rebelBerry Caberet Theatre. lious and eager 21-year brother Buddy into his Oct 10:Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder perform at RiverPark Center as part of a two-week festival in celebration of the upcoming 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

den of iniquity while their horrified parents can only watch and pray. This farcical 60’s romp became a hit movie starring Frank Sinatra.

Oct 12:The Wedding Singer - The first national tour of Broadway’s hit romantic comedy based on the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore film comes to Owensboro after 280 recent performances on Broadway. Robbie Heart is New Jersey’s favorite wedding singer, until he is left at the altar. When he meets a young waitress, it’s love at first sight. But Julia is engaged to a Wall Street shark, and Robbie must pull off the performance of a decade to win his dream girl.

With a score that pays homage to pop songs of the ‘80s, The Wedding Singer takes us back to when hair was big, collars were up and a wedding singer was the coolest guy in the room.

270-733-2222

Theatre

Workshop

of

Owensboro

270-683-5003 Oct 23 & 24, 30 & 31:Come Blow Your Horn This legendary the legendary comic writer Neil

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

Trunnell’s Farm Market Weekends in October:Fall Family Fun - Every weekend in October, head to Trunnell’s Farm Market for Fall Family Fun. Activities include hay rides and pumpkin & face painting. Free daily events in October include a straw maze, straw pyramid, corn pit, pumpkin maze, corn hole, pumpkin toss, Amazing Find, Tomato Stake and Rope Maze. Visit the market for Absolutely Fresh Produce and Kentucky Proud products all year round. 9255 US Hwy 231 (270) 733-2222.

Open 10 a.m -6 p.m.

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden (270)852-8925 Oct 11:The WannaBeatles Band - The WannaBeatles Band from Nashville return to Western KY Botanical Garden for a special concert of all-time Beatles favorites. Begins at 5 p.m.

• 25 •

The Accused The Curse of Martha Splatterhead (Southern Lord) 4 Ah, the return of an old friend! It’s been years (6 or so) since these influential Seattle-area crossover thrash/ punk/metallers have shown their faces, and this is a welcome return.

Boasting of 14 songs in a mere 29 minutes, guitarist Tommy Neimeyer (who gained some fame in the 90’s with grunge band Gruntruck) and company (it seems he has drafted a whole new band) bring a fearsome and timeless attack on “Stomped To Death,” which blasts its way by without mercy, and puts many grind/death metal acts the shame. I’m sure the production (by Billy Anderson) helps, too, as he gives the band a raw and appropriately out-of-control sound, rather than an overly clean sheen. “Martha’s Disciples” is a roaring beast of riff, every bit as heavy as Slayer and just as ferocious. “Avenue of The Dead” is so spastic, it’s almost like abstract metal. New vocalist Brad Mowen (also of Burning Witch & Master Musicians of Bukkake) fits the bill perfectly, basically splashing/expelling his demonic vocals with reckless abandon.

This is a hell of an album, and anyone who writes these guys off as irrelevant these days evidently hasn’t heard recent metal. I say, welcome back.

-- Todd Zachritz

Nudge As Good As Gone (Kranky) 4 Nudge have both melodies and rhythms (and vocals). But, does that make them “pop” music? In a skewered, left-ofcenter way, I think it does. A kind of collaborative group featuring members of fellow Kranky acts Valet (Honey Owens), Strategy (Paul Dickow), and Fontanelle (Brian Foote), Nudge’s sound encompasses bits of ambient pop, dub, and psychedelische musik, and sounds like a woozy, trippy, and cosmic sound-collision, as seen from behind a foggy, steamy glass window.

• 26 •

Opening with the wide-eyed “Harmo,” the album veers into more song-oriented (but still drifty) territory with cuts like the obtuse “Tito,” before it all settles down to the fleeting closer, “Dawn Comes Light.” Throughout, Owens’ vocals are sparse and delicate, even almost bluesy in spots, while the music behind her is electronic, quirky, and really quite otherworldly.

It’s a pop music that isn’t meant for the charts.

And that is refreshing and commendable.

-- Todd Zachritz

mewithoutYou it’s all crazy! it’s all false! it’s all a dream! it’s alright (Tooth and Nail Records) 4 Musical story spinners, mewithoutYou are a heavenly blend of unique lyrics, Renaissance sound, and a fetish for nature. Above all this band commands a certain passion in their sound, pulling from deeply rooted faith and spirituality transcending the bounds of organized religion. Be that as it may, if Chaucer lived in our time he would be a groupie for this band. Hailing from Philly, Aaron and Mike Weiss are on guitar, also Greg Jehanian, and Rickie Mazzotta make up the line-up for the album. One listen and this band will slowly lull a listener’s ear into a sensual euphoria or a sensual slumber.

“Every Thought a Thought of You” is a bright but edgy track with sincere lyrics and soothing, multi-layered vocals. “goodbye, I!” is a driving, acoustic track boasting bold vocals and catchy drum composition. “bullet to Binary (pt. two)” boasts strong vocals which forcefully enter the listener’s ear contrasted by a beautiful, sharp musical structure and ends on an epic note. “Cattail Down” starts out subtly but works its way into a warm groove accented by horns. “the King Beetle on a Coconut Estate” is a whimsical track with imaginative lyrics and somber strings creating a regal sound. There is simply nothing out like mewithoutYou. -- Nick Durcholz

New Christs Gloria (Impedance Records) 5 Formed way back in 1984 by Rob Younger (of legendary Aussie proto-punk band Radio Bird-

TUNES

[ CD Reviews ] man), this project returns with a smoldering postpunk-style set that exhibits Younger’s penchant for writing good, solid, melodic hooks that are raw, edgy, and easy to appreciate.

“Try Something” is, at it’s foundations, a heavy pop song, with a good dose of danger (as it should be). “My Existence” shows the group’s raved-up punk roots, while “These Reasons” is an anthemic mid-tempo pop song.

“The Wheel” is a swaggering, heavy rocker that brings to mind the master, Iggy Pop. Seriously, these guys are in that kinda class timeless, smart, and real. A superior rock album here, without pretense or affectation. Highest marks.

-- Todd Zachritz

Wilco Wilco (The Album) (Nonesuch) 5 Wilco are possibly the greatest American rock act you’ve never heard.

They don’t get much mainstream radio support, but their live shows sell out routinely across the country. Coming from someone who adores Wilco’s 2002 masterpiece Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (maybe one of the most inspiring modern rock recordings of the decade -- seriously), and who thought their last album (Sky Blue Sky) was boring classic rock (think the Eagles), this new Wilco is a welcome return to form. Combining the sensibilities of both their more abstract leanings and accessible alt.country/indie rock, this pop-edged triumph has enough inventive little angles and sounds to make it an indispensable addition to my 2009’s “best of” list. Beginning with the rootsy, rollicking feel-good hit “Wilco” (yeah, it’s the band’s ode to itself, tongue-in-cheek), it gets more serious with songs like “One Wing,” which seems to be a reflective and spacious bit of wisdom. “Bull Black Nova” comes in loud and noisy, then is followed up by the plaintive “You

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

TUNES

[ CD Reviews ]

Kristina Train Spilt Milk (Blue Note Records) 4.5

And I” featuring lovely backing vocals by indie folkstress Feist.

“You Never Know” brings to mind some of the Beatles’ better melodies, and the chorus of “I don’t care anymore…” is typically strong, wedging itself into your head long before the song ends. “I’ll Fight” is a beautiful love song to life itself. Jeff Tweedy’s emotive everyman vocals are weathered/tempered perfectly, and the band’s rich, expressive songwriting proves to be a perfect foil, enveloping his vocals with a diverse and lush set of sounds, tempos, and textures. From heavier rock to drifty laments, Wilco are masters of their craft. There’s not a single dud here.

-- Todd Zachritz

Kraftwerk The Catalogue (Astralwerks) 1 The legendary electro-minimalist purveyors will release this box set of material spanning nearly thirty years, from the early 70s up to 2003. Kraftwerk was hailed as a “sonic revolution” and that they may be but in every sense of the word this is robot music. They are a very well organized band musically but if the listener has a mind, heart, and other fleshy organs their sound seems to be hard to relate with. The group was formed in 1970 so it does have a deep history.

The band is German and was brought together

by Florian Schneider who played the flute, synthesizers, and the electro-violin (is no longer with the band). Kraftwerks sound is definitely an acquired taste.

Due to the fact that all of this band’s music new and old is pretty much a collection of beeps, blips, and occasional synthesizer strings every once and awhile there is really no way to objectively deduce the feel of their songs. I can say once again their music is simply cold and emotionless. The voices are either put through a modulating device or they are artificial and their lyrics are written on a grade school level.

If you are a die-hard fan, The Catalogue is a must-own. Otherwise, don’t even give them a passing glance.

-- Nick Durcholz

Musically, this New Yorker by birth was transplanted into a southern landscape and was raised with the southern soul.

This is her debut album under the instruction of producer Jimmy Hogarth, who has also produced albums for Duffy, James Blunt, and Corrine Bailey Rae. Train was introduced into musical performance by her mother, who advised her to play the violin. Shortly after, Train soon discovered her powerful vocal chords and in no time was acclaimed for her seasoned delivery, steady pitch, and emotional depth. Train draws inspiration from Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, and Karen Dalton. Keeping her mind in music through college, connections were made and she was signed.

The title track “Spilt Milk” is a vivid, sonic picture of a young woman’s romantic strength. Simple but elegant instrumentation transfused with bold, sincere lyrics. “No Man’s Land” showcases Train’s sultry voice in verses then her vocals rise into a powerful chorus accented by bursts of high strings. “Don’t Beg for Love” is an ideal slow jazz track with soulful lyrics and background singers. It creeps along with a walking bass lines but peaks with strings.

“Don’t Remember” is more of a gospel tune. It is very light and bright, also boasting a smooth beat and yearning vocals. This woman has talent.

-- Nick Durcholz

Overmars Born Again (Crucial Blast) 4 Taking the halfspeed churn and seething, pummeling noise-grind of classic SWANS, and throwing it down the steps alongside modern post-rock metal ala Neurosis or Isis, these Frenchmen (and woman) find themselves in a gloriously brutal din of pained discontent

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

with Born Again, their second true full-length.

This album is one single-indexed 40-minute track, and it begins with a huge, plodding, thunderous landscape of slow-burn guitar/drum grind, with dual male/female vocals that channel the spirits of souls having their skin burnt off. It’s a truly nightmarish sound, horrific and chilling.

After several minutes, it drifts away to reveal a more atmospheric freefall, with almost psychedelic reverberations and Marion’s shrieked vox. Born Again is a hellishly potent collision of sounds, and will easily appeal to a varied audience, from death/grind/black metal fans to more avante-leaning industrial-noise heads, theirs is a sound born of pestilence, pain, and (perhaps) redemption. It’s a travelogue of an existence without light, where torture is a tide that ebbs and pulses. Momentous and earth-moving music here. I am stunned.

-- Todd Zachritz

Janus Red Right Return (REALID Records ) 4 Rock-solid, Great Lakes regional favorite Janus is a four piece band in a pseudo-spotlight featured on several reality shows on MTV and one show on NBC. The mythological source of their name gives the listener a hint that this band is multifaceted and takes from the old to make new. Natives of the Windy City, the guys of Janus gave creative birth to all aspects of this new album on their own accord. All aspects were milled over time and time again to ensure the complexity of the album. This musically versatile band is locked and loaded for a nationwide takeover.

“Six Letters Sent” explodes with grinding guitar riffs and storm of double bass pedal hits. The song’s structure is very precise and the vocals compliment the song perfectly. “Eyesore” starts off with haunting guitar complimented by delicate chimes building up to a brutal but harmonic chorus. This is a very powerful song on all fronts. “The Nerve” begins with solemn strings blooming into a rapid, sharp snare and a bright guitar. This band is a hard rock dream team.

-- Nick Durcholz

• 27 •

IN THE BAG [ Shopping ]

All You Need Is… Dough. Lots of it.

A

Paul Dockery

Contributor

s could be expected, Amazon has the best price for The Beatles’ new box sets; the mono and stereo sets are bundled together for $409.98.

And by now, plenty of folks have chimed in on what their money has gotten them. While it’s long been established that it cannot buy you love, it can buy you – in the case of the stereo version (best price at press time was $199.99 plus shipping) – all 13 Studio remasters of Please Please Me, With The Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, Abbey Road, Let it Be and Past Masters. Phew.

A DVD of all 13 mini-documentaries is included in a slick box that Yoko could probably fit into if she really tried.

The mono version ($229.99 at press time) was originally going to be released with a super-exclusive run of only 10,000 copies for deep-end Beatlemaniacs. Here, you get more than you may have ever wanted out of the lads from Liverpool – eleven albums (12 discs total), including Please Please Me, With The Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night, and in the case of the rest – Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Magical Mystery Tour, and The Beatles – the inclusion of each record’s original stereo mix.

Why? Why would anyone want all this? Because The Beatles are the greatest POP band in the history of rock music. The Rolling Stones are the greatest ROCK band in • 28 •

the history of rock music. There’s a difference.

But really, it’s for collectors and audio geeks and well, average fans alike who want to experience these cherished songs in a new way. For a lot of us, hearing tiny things like Ringo’s drum throne squeaking or a fret buzz here and there that wasn’t in any of the vinyls, tapes or CDs we’ve listened to all our lives is thrilling in, yes, a pretty geeky sort of way.

Countless words have been written by now about the new box sets. Everyone who’s had a chance to listen has chimed in. I for one can say that for anyone who really knows The Beatles’ catalogue, even the hardest of hardcore fans will delight in the myriad gems found on both new releases. So save up that scratch, and take the long and winding road (or straight shot, if you will) to rediscovering the music of the most influential rock – ahem – pop band in rock history.

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

SORE THUMBS [ Gaming ]

Beatlemania Comes To Rock Band

I

t’s finally happening. After music acts like Mötley Crüe, Aerosmith, 50 Cent, Wu Tang Clan, and Britney Spears have had their own videogames, The Beatles’ first videogame is coming out.

Dan Coinciding with the release Woolsey of the remastered stereo and Contributor mono box sets, The Beatles: Rock Band is a godsend for Beatles fans everywhere.

The Beatles’ material has always been very closely guarded and carefully licensed. To see something come out that uses their music and likenesses that isn’t an album re-release is out of the ordinary. Nothing like this has ever existed for Beatles fans and that’s why it’s such a big deal.

It’s been a long time coming, but the technology just didn’t exist before to do The Beatles this kind of justice. The Rock Band games require multi-track recordings for each song so that players can get feedback while they play. If the drummer misses a beat, the drum section of the song needs to reflect that without affecting the other tracks in the song.

The development team at Harmonix had to go back to the original master recordings to create the multi-track versions of the songs they needed.

The special edition of the game comes with a replica Höfner bass guitar as well a microphone stand and Ludwig-branded drums. Additional replica instruments, such as the Gretsch Duo-Jet and Rickenbacker 325, are also available separately for a hefty $99. None of these are required to play the game, but Beatle-maniacs may deem them necessary to complete the package. Just so you know, it would cost $450

(yikes!) to get the game and a fullyoutfitted Beatles wannabe band… but you can get the game for $60 and play with all of your existing instruments also.

You’ll play everything from The Beatles’ first official gig to their last performance on the roof of

Apple Studios, each with an accurate representation of how they looked at the time. On your journey, you’ll even go on a few psychedelic trips with The Fab Four. Don’t be surprised if you spot a certain brightly-hued, underwater vehicle or a walrus along the way. There’s plenty of fascinating new eye candy and rare, unlockable Beatles photos and sound clips to take in. It’s a shame that the player will be focusing on scrolling colored bars and will likely miss out on all of the cool background visuals, but there’s plenty to keep onlookers entertained.

While almost everything in the game is perfect regarding accuracy, it’s not a perfect game. The limits of The Beatles’ licensing restrictions become apparent when you find out that you’ll only be able to play these songs with this game. The usual import and export of Rock Band tracks doesn’t work here. You’ll never play

these songs in Rock Band 1 or 2, you won’t be able to get new clothes and customize your performers in-game, and you won’t be playing anything other than Beatles songs. I wouldn’t consider these to be a major flaw; that’s just how the game is presented and it happens to be different than the first two Rock Band games.

But wait… there’s more! One change this title brings is the “overdrive” mode used for extra rockin’ has slyly been renamed “Beatlemania.” Also, while you’re playing guitar, feel free to slam the whammy all you want, but it will have no effect on the song whatsoever. This would change the way the song sounded, and that’s a big no-no according to Apple Corps.

The most unfortunate gameplay change for me was the removal of freestyle drum-fill sections.

Again, if this wasn’t how The Beatles played the song, don’t think you’re going to do it any differently. I never tired of drum-fills and hated to see them go, but their exclusion makes sense with this presentation… I guess. Finally, one of the coolest additions is the three-part harmonies vocalists can pull off. This essentially enables two more players to join in.

Think of this game as a big expensive box set that you can play along with. If you already have a lot of The Beatles’ albums, skip the recently released remastered collection and give this a shot. You might not feel like you are a Beatle, but you’ll feel that you were at least along for the ride!

If you read Sore Thumbs regularly, you were probably expecting something Halloween-related this month. Well, I hate to disappoint, so here is a quick list of my picks for scary games to play on Halloween: Dead Space – phenomenal space horror…great visuals, weapons, monsters, and sound. Play it!

Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth – under-appreciated first-person adventure set in Lovecraftian mythos. Wait until you have to escape your hotel room at night…you’ll see what I mean if you play it.

F.E.A.R. 2 –a good shooter that’s freakin’ scary. A lovely mix!

Fatal Frame – creepy Japanese setting where you fight off ghosts with nothing more than your special camera

Condemned: Criminal Origins – track a serial killer through dark and eerie locations while trying not to get bludgeoned by thugs Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

• 29 •

CINEMA

[ In Theaters Now ] Records, who plays the young boy who would be king in a land of wild things!

October 23rd Saw VI (Lionsgate) Would you like to play a game?

Uh… No.

October 28th

Chad Benefield Contributor

This Is It (Sony)

October 2nd Shutter Island (Paramount) The new film by Martin Scorsese (The Departed, Casino, Cape Fear, Raging Bull) already sports the most intriguing trailer of the year. Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo star as two U.S. marshals, who, in 1954, are sent to a creep-crawly mental institution to investigate the disappearance of a patient. Shutter Island is based on the 2003 book by Dennis Lehane, who wrote Mystic River and Gone, Baby, Gone, two other novels adapted for the big screen. While I thought Mystic River only faked complexity and suspense, Gone, Baby, Gone bubbled over with tension. If Shutter Island is half as good as it looks, I’m there! There’s nothing more entertaining that some crazy people. That’s why I watch reality television, ride the subway in New York, and go to t-ball games.

Michael Jackson’s body was still fresh when studio types started warring over hours and hours of raw rehearsal footage from Jackson’s forthcoming London concerts (there were to be 50 and all had sold out). Sony Pictures won the bidding, forked over $60 million dollars and hired choreographer/director Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) to assemble a documentary about Jackson’s last days as the King of Pop. For fans of Michael, who truly believe he is ’gone to soon’, this will be an October treat.

I personally will watch This Is It in search of clues and answers. Did anybody see Michael Jackson’s untimely death coming? Most importantly, did he?

October 9th Zombieland (Sony) It was 2004 that the Brits released Shaun of the Dead, the often-times hilarious zombie romp that launched actor/screenwriter Simon Pegg into the limelight. Since 2004, we’ve seen a lot of zombie movies (I Am Legend, 28 Weeks Later) that tried to take the genre back to its original horror movie roots. After all, zombies are supposed to be scary, right? Well, for me, zombies are a whole lot like the vampires and the whole notion of them is just absurd. So, if you are going to use zombies in a movie you should spoof them, much like Robert Rodriguez did in Planet Terror, his contribution to the Grindhouse double feature. In Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer takes the same approach and casts Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg (Adventureland) as an unlikely duo trying to stay alive in a world overrun with the undead!

October 16th Where The Wild Things Are (Warner Brothers) When I was in high school I took a mime workshop and our piece de resistance was a white-face rendering of Maurice Sendak’s 1963 masterwork, Where The Wild Things Are. While it’s impossible to top the artistic integrity and the gut-wrenching of our mime interpretation, director Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) is giving it a whirl. Along for the ride are Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo and relative newcomer Max • 30 •

October 9th Whip It (Fox Searchlight) Drew’s got a brand new pair of roller skates! Though she was doing whiskey shooters at the age of four, Drew Barrymore waited until she was in her thirties to try her hand at directing a feature. Her first film is Whip It, which stars Ellen Page (Juno) as a young woman who rebels against her beauty-pageant obsessed mother and joins a roller derby squad. As a professional sport, roller derby is much like wrestling. It’s all about bravado, smack-talking and the show.

If Barrymore can capture that tone, Whip It could work. With characters named Malice in Wonderland, Dinah Might, Smashley Simpson, and Bloody Holly, it appears that Drew may be on the right track.

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

CINEMA

[ New Releases ] October 13th The Proposal (Touchstone) Sandra Bullock’s highest-grossing movie ever and, for me, that’s gross. Fashioned shamelessly after The Devil Wears Prada, The Proposal too is set in the world of publishing.

That world is ruled over by the she-beast Margaret (Bullock), who has to fake an engagement to her lowly assistant, Andrew (Ryan Reynolds), in order to avoid being deported back to Canada. Director Annie Fletcher’s movie could have worked if it had just shrugged some of those pesky romantic comedy devices. Of course, it wouldn’t have made as much money, so who the hell do I think I am? But, too often, The Proposal tries to be something it’s not. In the office, it works laboriously to be The Devil Wears Prada. It’s not even close.

In fact, I daresay the devil wears Fashion Bug. When the film moves to Andrew’s parents’ house it tries to churn out laughs like Meet The Parents. It doesn’t. I have heard The Proposal, but I just cannot accept. GRAdE: c

October 13th Drag Me to Hell (Universal) Spiderman director Sam Raimi is no stranger to horror movies. In fact, with early films like Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2, that’s how he honed his chops. His latest, Drag Me to Hell, which stars Alison Lohman as a cursed young woman on the run from the hounds of Satan, is a loud and in-yourface comedy/thriller. Or, at least it’s supposed to be. Despite some positives (like Christopher Young’s pulse-pounding gothic score, a rousing prologue and a free-for-all séance scene), I don’t know what to make of this. Drag Me to Hell is never as funny as it’s supposed to be which makes me think it’s not a comedy. But it’s never scary enough to sustain my fear and that makes me think it’s not really a thriller. So, I’m stuck in the middle. I guess this is Drag Me to Purgatory.

GRAdE: c+

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October 6th Year One (Sony) Simply put… The Worst Movie of the Year! And the year’s not even over! Director Harold Ramis’ (Analyze This, Bedazzled, The Ice Harvest) aimless film stars Jack Black and Michael Cera as two guys named Zed and Oh, who are forced out of their primitive tribe and embark on a journey through the early days of man. I have no idea how any studio executive ever agreed to green light this project. Every single joke is a gigantic stink bomb! I mean, the kind of bomb that leveled Japanese cities in the 40s. If you enjoy watching characters hang upside down and urinate into their own mouths or other characters who eat and lick poop to determine the food contents in it, then this is the film for you. But if this is the film for you, maybe you should check yourself into the mental care facility at Shutter Island.

GRAdE: F

October 20th Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (dreamworks) It doesn’t matter what I say, this movie has already broken the bank. But I have a column and I have a duty to my faithful readers to lay it out. Oh, here goes. This is really stupid. I just don’t get this whole notion of assigning human emotions and voices to ridiculous-looking machines that are basically cross-dressers. The fact that the back-story of this film franchise relies on the belief in two conflicting races of robot known as the Autobots and the Decepticons is even more bizarre to me. It’s like Terminator meets Harry and the Hendersons and it goes on for days! I don’t mean to sound like a Bangle, but this is an “eternal flame” of a film. But, it’s a film that could have worked. The third act of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is an all-out war movie with awesome special effects and gritty battle sequences. It’s the movie Terminator Salvation should have been. If Transformers would knock off all the silliness, it could truly take Terminator’s place as the true “rage against the machine.” GRAdE: c

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www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

INFO 2GO [ Briefs ]

Owensboro Music Center Yard Sale

What’s the payoff? A thousand damn dollars, that’s what.

It all happens Saturday, October 24; sponsors include Diamond Lake Resort and Ole South Barbeque. So listen to WBKR for more. Ready, set, go!

Taste of Owensboro Saturday October 3rd, Owensboro Music Center will hold their 1st annual Musicians Flea Market and Swap Dylan Gibbs Managing Meet. Owensboro Music will Editor offer a 10’ space on propGordy erty they own adjacent to Wilcher Contributor the store. Vendors must furnish there tables and set up is Free. Table holders are encouraged to bring any and all music related items to the swap meet. That would include guitars, drums, microphones, amplifiers, sound gear, records and CDs too. Even stereo equipment and old radios are welcome. So clean out your basement, garage or closets and bring those items your not using and need to move.

The event will run from 9:00 a.m. ‘til store closing time 5:00 p.m.

To reserve a booth (spaces limited to 30-35) call OMC at 270-684-2156 or email to Owensboromusic@Yahoo.com You can also reach us thru our Facebook page. Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more news about this exciting event.

Owensboro Music Center will also offer an incentive cash bonus for swappers that purchase items with there earnings from the event.

This event is part of the Hwy 60 Garage sale being held on that same day.

How would you like to travel the city and sample the best that local restaurant have to offer – all in one evening? Thanks to the RiverPark Center and over 30 local eateries and beverage vendors, you can “eat you way through Owensboro.” All you can eat, and all you can feast your ears upon are offered, thanks to the efforts of artists such as Charlene Blay & Second Edition, world-renowned pianist Diane Earle and rockin’ out sounds of Randy Lanham & Wildman. Tickets are available at the RiverPark Center box office and by phone at 687-ARTS.

approximately two hours, and tips are always appreciated for the good time.

Another, even spookier tour is offered, thanks to the Theatre Workshop of Owensboro.

On October 2 & 3, 9, 16 & 16 & 17 and 30th & 31st, you can hook up with the TWO an tour the most haunted spot in the Tri-State. Put your man-pants on and join in the fun. Times for the TWO tours are 8 p.m., except Halloween night; the tour on the 31st begins at 9 p.m. Phone 270-313-5596, visit www.hauntsofowensboro. com or email DavidWolfe@hauntsofowensboro. com for more info.

Fall Family Fun It’s autumn; the air is fresh and crisp with the occasional aroma of burning leaves in the air.

Time to dredge up the fall playlist (Samhain for you punk rockers; Sabbath Bloody Sabbath for

Road Warriors – While there’s still some gasoline left…

Charlene Blay & Second Edition will be performing at Taste of Owensboro.

See, you gotta listen to 92.5 WBKR – The Country Station – to learn all the details about this thing, but here’s a quick summary: Teams will drive to a pre-designated checkpoint, where they will receive clues that will lead them on a mysterious journey to yet another checkpoint, where they will get more clues (and so on). Once each team has crossed each of the checkpoints, they’ll cross the finish line; their total mileage will then be logged by certified milelog-oloists. The team that has a final mile total closest to the actual distance of the course will win. Sounds easy, right? It ain’t.

Teams of two to five are allowed; they must present proof of insurance and of course the driver has to have a license and proof of insurance.

Haunts of Owensboro Are you a believer in the supernatural? How about ghosts? Lots of people do, and have the memories of things that go bump in the night to remind them. However, there remain skeptics – and Haunts of Owensboro is well-equipped to change said skeptics’ minds.

The regular tour is all-year ‘round, but this month is the perfect time to venture out into the crisp autumn night in search of the paranormal. Each Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m., starting at 109 E. 2nd Street, guided tours of creepy places will commence. Each tour lasts

Owensboro October 2009 • Call for Advertising Information (270) 485-2292

you old school metalheads; and uh… I don’t know, what’s appropriate for hip-hoppers? Eric B & Rakim’s always worked for us). With the music picked out, what to do next? How about trucking down to Utica to Trunnell’s Farm Market each weekend for their ongoing Fall Family Fun Fest?

Activities include pumpkin and face painting, hayrides, straw mazes, corn hole and pumpkin toss games and much more. Trunnell’s is a great place to pick up farm-fresh wares for the kitchen too. Check out trunnellsfarmmarket. com or call 270-733-2222 for extra information.

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5

Number of singles in the Billboard Hot 100 at that time – numbers one through five.

No other artist or band has matched this record.

12

Number of chart positions on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in April 1964.

19

Number of #1 albums in the Billboard Top 200 albums charts.

20

Number of #1 singles in the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Over 1 billion

Number of total record sales worldwide.

5 million

Number of sales of the single “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by 1968. The song was the best-selling single of the 1960s.

2

years in which Ringo Starr spent in a hospital for chronic pleurisy as a child.

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ALBUMART.ORG

22

age at which original bass player Stu Sutcliffe passed away. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1962.

www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

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www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009

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www.News4UOwensboro.com • Owensboro October 2009