Get out and howl with Big Bad Wolf

by Sharlene Irete

sirete@recordcourier.com

You know you've been wanting to dance in the park all summer and this is your last chance for the year. Get out and howl with Big Bad Wolf tonight in the season's last concert in the park.

The Douglas County Parks & Recreation Department's free GE Energy Family Summer Concert Series concludes for the year with Carson Valley band Big Bad Wolf, 6-8 p.m. today, in Minden Park.

Big Bad Wolf is Craig Lind and Ron Blum on guitars and vocals, Charlie Fecteau on bass and Mick Fecteau on drums and vocals. The band is known for getting people dancing at their gigs in Lake Tahoe, Carson City and Carson Valley, but they will really have the chance to blow the house down in Minden Park.

"It's happening if people are dancing and groovin'," said Mick Fecteau. "Our audience is children to 80-year-olds. The idea is to be entertaining.

"To play on the same stage where Trey Stone and Mumbo Gumbo played, and in front of our hometown is a compliment."

The band plays a good mix of covers and originals. Familar songs that get people to jump up and dance are Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally," and music by the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, John Mayer, Kid Rock, and Van Morrison.

Craig Lind said he tries to write danceable music.

"I'm writing simpler and with fewer words to make a more memorable song," Lind said. "You're able to hear the words. It's music to make you dance and sway."

A Motown influence can be felt in their original "Way Back Machine." The band presents social consciousness with a groove in "What About the People?" And they launch into Ron Blum's rocker, "Roll On."

Lind's original song "Four Leaf Clover" was featured on the MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon, and he dedicates his song, "Construction Blues," to his friend Richard Bertlow who died on July 4.

"He was a big-time family man. He died with a hammer in his hand," said Lind.

The band calls 2010 the Year of the Wolf.

"We try to put our stamp on everything we do," said Mick. "One of the biggest compliments that people say is 'you're really having fun onstage.'"

There's one blast of summer left and you've wanted to dance in the park all summer. Here's your chance. Bring low-backed chairs, a blanket and a picnic or purchase food from the Lions Club for the concert in the park tonight.

The concerts are free thanks to the Town of Minden, GE Energy, Carson Valley Inn, Dr. James the Dentist, Edgewood Tahoe Golf, Walmart, Park Place AM/PM, Starbucks, Carson Valley Medical Center, New Valley Real Estate Management, Carson Valley Accounting, Justin Clouser Attorney, Shari James 4 GID campaign, Sullivan Law, and Lake Tahoe Marine. Information, 782-9828.