Join us on the front lawn of the Strand for a night of music and fun! Jumpin’ in July is a FREE concert series, where each week in July a new musician or band takes the stage to perform. Concessions will be available on site.
“What's the difference between a good band and an exceptional band? Commitment? Of course. Practice? (Optional). Talent? Goes without saying. Well, all the above. However, in my opinion, what makes an exceptional band is one that doesn't have to stay in a comfort zone. These guys playwithout a net. A special blend of styles and tastes, delivered by gentlemen with mutual respect, both musically and personally. Being good friendsadds to the mix. The fights are awesome, too! DAMAGED GOODS is more than the sum of its parts. Together, they are pure magic and a treat to see live. Lots of energy for a bunch of AARP members. They inspire me. Whether I'm on stage with them or in the audience like any other fan, I'm always in awe of how tight they are and how the harmonies soar. Sometimes, I swear, I can hear instruments that are not on stage! When they're your friends it's easy to take their talent for granted. KEITH KING, the DAMAGED front man, is the only original member of DAMAGED GOODS and started the band. A unique player and a powerful vocalist with range. I can't tell you his instrument of choice because he's good at all of them. I can tell you that he's a phenomenal harp player, who's equally adept at ukulele, percussion and flute. KEITH is steeped in ‘Old Timey’, learning old Vaudeville tunes and uke stylings from his grandfather. DAMAGED goes back to the #1 song of 1912 in their set with KEITH. KEITH's originals are beautiful and from the heart. By the way, I've seen KEITH levitate during a harp solo. Really. The rest of the DAMAGED GOODS team have played together for years. They had a popular band in the 90s called THE ROCK & ROLL DOCTORS. Now they are, of course, DAMAGED. There's DAVE MELBIE on guitar and vocals. You can't put DAVE in a category. His tastes are very eclectic. His playing is nuanced and adventurous. He's a rocker, a folkie and can "twang" when needed. DAVE' originals reflect those styles. DAVE's original song Blue Guitar conjures up memories of YES, GENESIS and the BEATLES. Lush and melodic. . . . The anchor in this core is RANDY VAUGHN. I'll try not to be too biased describing RANDY VAUGHN on drums and vocals, who is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We've been damaged together since the Nixon administration. RANDY started playing drums outside his house in the driveway at 6 years old and ‘has been struggling ever since’ as he's been known to say. In reality, RANDY can drive a groove like no other. Educated in R&B, funk and jazz, RANDY can play it all. RANDY possesses arguably the best pure voice in the band. His soulful delivery wrapped in baritone smoothness snakes and slides around the melody with space-filled phrasing. That's RANDY's most amazing talent, stopping and altering time signatures to fit the tempo. One of the newest members of DAMAGED GOODS is NELSON "The Fiddler" ROCK. The nickname says it all. NELSON is an in-demand player who is also a flawless soloist and, as an accompanist, adds some beautiful harmonies that seem to float on top of everything going on. NELSON brings some very entertaining comic relief to the mix as well. A man of many voices and impersonations, he keeps things light and flowing. I especially enjoy "What Do You Do with A Drunken Sailor" because I used to be one! Other new members are Mike Lewanduski and Austin Petrachune. DAMAGED GOODS released a new album in 2021, NEW STRETCH OF ROAD. What other band performs 1912 vaudeville tunes and Celtic style fiddle romps? No one. You must be DAMAGED GOODS. Individually, these guys are compelling, top-notch musicians. Together, they are pure magic with some damage.”
-"Spot Check" Billy Wells | February 24, 2018