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Rockabilly Around the Clock at the Blob Ball
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From the band's website.
You gotta love a band that refer to themselves as preservationists. But that, indeed, is what The Rivers Rockabilly Trio (Stu Fredericks, JB Smith and Bradley Keough) are. Preservationists.
A sound that emerged from the south in the ‘50’s, rockabilly is a mishmash of country, rock, western swing, R & B and bluegrass. It was first referred to as county and western rhythm and blues or “rock played by hillbillies.” And can you guess who introduced it? Well there is debate over that. Ask a southerner and they’ll tell you “The King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley. Ask a northerner, and it will be “The Father of Rock and Roll,” Bill Haley (who, by the way, lived in Boothwyn, PA.)
In the early ‘50’s, Bill Haley and his Comets morphed from a country/western band to a band playing a new sound yet to be labeled. In 1952, Haley’s “Rock the Joint” became what would be the first rock and roll song. It wasn’t until 1955 that Bill Haley and his Comets became a household name when “Rock Around the Clock” shot up to number 1 for 8 weeks.
Meanwhile, the first two songs Elvis Presley recorded on Sam Phillips’ Sun label were “That’s All Right” by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup and “Blue Moon of Kentucky” by Bill Monroe. Presley added his own vocal swagger to them while playing acoustic guitar, but Scotty Moore and Bill Black added in the electric guitar and upright bass rounding out the typical rockabilly band. Musicians that followed suit included Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Cochran and Carl Perkins. Although a widespread American music phenomena, rockabilly never became a steady chart topper. There were a couple of songs that made it up the charts to the top 5; Bill Haley & His Comets’ “Rock Around the Clock” and Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog/Don’t Be Cruel” and “Heartbreak Hotel.”
More than 50 years later, rockabilly still enjoys popularity and The Rivers Rockabilly Trio is one of the reasons why. This Philadelphia trio plays around the region paying tribute to the music from 1952 to 1960. It is their mission to continue bringing this fun musical genre to those that listened to it in the beginning and those who are just now discovering it. Stu “Grand Daddy” Frederick’s long history as a musician and performer spans nearly 4 decades. He hails from Philadelphia but currently can be found at the Music Centre teaching private guitar lessons. He plays guitar and sings in the band. JB "Memphis" Smith is the “cat from Marple.” He does a mean Elvis and also provides percussion and acoustic guitar for the group. Bradley “The Mushrat” Keough is a master of “slap bass” from Souderton, PA. In addition to playing Doghouse bass and singing in The Rivers, he is also an accomplished cartoonist and owner of “Cartoonerama.”
It’s only fitting that River Rockabilly Trio provid the music at the Second Annual Blob Ball on Friday night.
To Phoenixvillians, The Blob, starring Steve McQueen, is more than a sci-fi classic. It’s our history and the reason for the last 9 years we’ve hosted BlobFest (all things Blob.) Over the years, BlobFest has grown to its current 3 day festival which boasts a re-enactment of “the running out scene” at the Colonial Theatre on Friday evening, July 10 and the Blob Ball. There are myriad other family-friendly things going on over the weekend, but get a sitter and leave the kids at home on Friday night. Tickets are still available for the Blob Ball featuring The Rivers Rockabilly Trio at Molly Maguires Irish Pub. This celebration of everything ‘50’s will hold a slew of contests including best dressed, best dancers, best scary movie costume and best 50’s celebrity costume. Though not required, come in your best 50’s outfit and dance to the hits of Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers and many more.
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