Led by Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist since 1989, the longevity of one of Cincinnati’s most successful bands, Over the Rhine, is fueled by a loyal base of fans, which has made it possible for the duo to make a living touring and releasing albums for more than a quarter of a century. Those fans are drawn in by Over the Rhine’s intimacy, which is a part of its dynamic, Americana-based music, but also a key factor in the artist-to-fan relationship. Long before the internet created a starkly direct connection between a musician and his or her audience, Over the Rhine was keeping in touch with its following through poetic newsletters, which mused about things like art and nature as much as upcoming projects. Along with things like the meet-and-greet gatherings and special concerts Over the Rhine organized for its most dedicated followers, the musicians’ earnest displays of appreciation developed a trust and devotion that made fans feel like a part of OTR’s world.
This Saturday and Sunday, Over the Rhine is presenting its latest project, the Nowhere Else Festival, on the duo’s farmland in a remote location (Martinsville, Ohio) more than 50 miles northeast of Cincinnati. Many OTR fans will be making the trek to the couple’s Nowhere Else farm, not just from Ohio, but New York, Wisconsin, Illinois, Oklahoma and beyond. The festival is another chance to be a part of the musicians’ world — to hang out on their home turf and help them (with ticket purchases) continue to restore the old barn on the property, which is being turned into a performing arts center for concerts, workshops, recording sessions and more. The festival will be spread out onto the wider property and feature performances by well-known touring artists like The Blind Boys of Alabama, Lucy Wainwright Roche and Joe Henry, as well as Cincinnati favorites The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars and Katie Laur.
Building on the mutual trust/respect Detweiler and Bergquist have fostered, fans will also be intrigued by other elements of the fest curated by the pair, including workshops,
exhibitions and presentations by some of their favorite “writers, photographers, painters, naturalists and foodies.”
Over the Rhine (Detweiler and Bergquist, plus their “Band of Sweethearts,” which features Jay Bellerose, Jen Condos, Eric Heywood and Bradley Meinerding) performs the closing set on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., as well as an early set at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. The gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with the musical performances beginning around 1 p.m. For the full schedule and complete info, visit nowhereelsefestival.com.
• There have been several music benefits to help rebuild the Rabbit Hash General Store, a community hub and favorite performance spot for local musicians located in nearby small-town Eastern Kentucky that was decimated by a fire in February.
This Saturday’s and Sunday’s Restore the Store concerts at Southgate House Revival (111 E. Sixth St., Newport, southgatehouse.com) are the biggest musically driven benefits yet. All proceeds from the shows, organized by local musician Kelly Thomas, will help fund the rebuilding of the store.
Slated to appear at Restore the Store Saturday: Center of The Universe Band; Ricky Nye; Harlot; Lightnin’ Tim; Lovecrush 88; Mudpies; G. Miles; Lawson Family Reunion; Hickory Robot; Rabbit Hash String Band; The Part-Time Gentlemen; Lagniappe; Jake Speed & The Freddies; Honey & Houston; Wilder; The Almighty Get Down; and 500 Miles to Memphis.
On board for Saturday’s show: Leroy Ellington; Judge & Jury; The Turkeys; Moonshine & Wine; Anna Mae; The Swells; Dallas Moore; The Modified; Andyman Hopkins; The Crick Gypsies; Hobilly; The Less Moore Band with Todd Hepburn; Strawboss; Ma Crow & The Lady Slippers; Shiny & The Spoon; Krystal Peterson & The Queen City Band; Magnolia Mountain; The Kentucky Struts; Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle; and The Tillers.
Music begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 per day, with two-day passes available for $20 via ticketfly.com.
Read more about the fire and rebuilding efforts in CityBeat's feature story last month here.
CONTACT MIKE BREEN: [email protected]
