Managing editor
Friday night’s middle act at Chingawassa Days is not your Mama’s rock band — or is it?
Influenced by his mother’s “hippie” ways, the co-founder of rock band, “the co-dependents” (the name is purposely lower-case), Wade Crump grew up in Texas, listening to songs by the Flying Burrito Brothers, Commander Cody, ZZ Top, Willie Nelson, and Jon Prine.
He did not get his first guitar until he was 21, but already he was on the music scene as a vocalist and harmonica player for a band.
These days, his Emporia area band plays a mix of late 1960s pop tunes, 1970s album rock, non-commercial country, and music of “Americana” singer-songwriters.
The three members of the group come from varied backgrounds and different parts of the country, and they vary in age. But they have a common thread — their interest in performing.
The other co-founder of the group is bass player and New Jersey native Bill Ihling.
Self-described as the only AARP member of the band, Ihling’s formative years were not “wasted” on rock ‘n’ roll of the 1960s. Instead, he was listening to the likes of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.
He acquired most of his chops playing electric bass and singing harmony with acoustic musicians in bluegrass, Americana, and other “roots music” bands. He moved to Kansas in 2004.
Taylor Everhart is the co-dependent’s drummer. Originally from Rogers, Ark., he began playing the skins at 14 and for the past 15 years has played with bands in east-central Kansas. He is the newest member of the ensemble, joining the band in October 2008.
Performance
The group will perform at 7:45 p.m. Friday at Chingawassa Days in Central Park, Marion.
Sponsored by Tampa State Bank, the group will perform after the a-cappella group Six Appeal and before rock ‘n’ roll band Foghat.
Buttons are required. They may be purchased at the gate.