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Multiple tribute bands to play at Troop Aid concert

Proceeds to benefit county's men and women serving overseas.

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 8:26 PM Friday, March 12, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — Multiple tribute bands are scheduled to appear at a three-day festival concert in Middletown in May.

Troop Aid 2010 and runs May 14-16 at Smith Park, said Adriane Scherrer, one of the organizers of the event and the director of the We Can Business Incubator.

Charlie Daniels, who was reported to appear at the event, is in negotiations, but is not yet confirmed, Scherrer said.

The concert will be a benefit for Operation Troop Aid, a nonprofit agency that provides care packages for deployed troops.

Scheduled to appear are tribute acts representing Larry the Cable Guy, Eric Clapton, Ozzy Osbourne, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin and Guns n’ Roses. Other attractions, include the Gem City Chorus, the Southern Gateway Chorus, Team Fastrax skydivers, World War II re-enactments and the traveling Vietnam veteran’s memorial wall.

“We could get 30,000 to 50,000 people in Middletown for this,” Scherrer said.

The event first formed in the mind of Earl Hayes, a Trenton man and Navy veteran who served in Beirut from 1981-84. He was also injured there, so he knows all too well the stresses veterans face when they come home, trying to get help.

“It’s a game of hurry up and wait,” he said.

Hayes joined forces with Gregg Coulter, a Cincinnati-area talent agent with the company TransAmerican Entertainment, He also plays Slash, the guitarist of Guns n’ Roses, in that tribute band, so he had connections to several other tribute artists, inviting them to donate their services.

Appearing on May 14 will be Paul Johnson, who plays Larry the Cable Guy, and Ozzmosis, the Ozzy Osbourne tribute band, among others. Saturday’s roster includes Slowhand (Eric Clapton), Winds of Thor (Led Zeppelin) and Use Your Illusion (Guns n Roses). Sunday will bring the Swamp Kings, the Rumpke Mountain Boys and the 2003 Nashville Star Winner Buddy Jewel.

“That’s phenomenal for a first-year event,” Scherrer said.

Other attractions include a custom car show, a bike show and various kids activities.

The organizers are looking for numerous sponsors and volunteers, especially entertainers like jugglers and face painters, Scherrer said. For more information, call (513) 705-4100.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.

Troop Aid 2010

When: May 14-16

Where: Smith Park at Tytus Avenue and Verity Parkway Middletown

Tickets: $10 for one day or $25 for all three days. Ages 12 and younger free with paying adult. Motorcycles $35 for three days. Tickets sold at the park on show days.

Information: (513) 705-4100

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For Just My thoughts,
On june 5th we will be having another all day festival. FreedomFest featuring local area bands and comic and magicians. Free food and drinks. Several good info tents and some nice prizes. Oh yeah its FREE. And I agree it is not easy to be a good tribute band and the effort for the troops is very admirable.

Thom Richardson
2:10 PM, 5/24/2010

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and I must say...that it's about time Middletown has tried to bring some talent through their city.
I have checked out ALL the bands playing and I must say...it's the best show line-up I've seen there ever...Slowhand...Untold...Winds of Thor...Use Your Illusion...Ozzmosis...Rumpke Mt. Boys...One Night Rodeo...and to top everything off...BUDDY JEWEL....
I know what the problem is...Middletown may not be able to handle such a show...

Just my thoughts.
8:03 PM, 5/13/2010

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First of all if it was your son or daughter that had served just to keep you free and for you to have rights to even gripe then maybe you would have some respect.There is always one or more of you in the crowd to complain.You dont like it, get over it and nobody is twisting your arm for you to be there. SO dont knock it til you try it and thank god for those that has served! Pay your respects or go away Im sure you wont be missed,and for those that attend do it with a smile.

ME
1:35 PM, 5/13/2010

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It takes hours of studying video and hours upon hours of rehearsing to perfect portraying one of these legendary rock stars. Instead of laughing at it, come see the time and effort at work and let go of your attitude for a few hours and let yourself be entertained. These are really good tribute shows on this schedule and they have all donated their performance so all the gate goes to help the troops. So now do your part and come out and support the troops. or laugh at us but donate!

Just me
2:17 PM, 5/7/2010

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Ok any one who thought they would see Led Zeppelin(in Middletown??) for 25 dollars must must be tripping. Anyways who cares, if you want to see a real band Bogarts and Riverbend has some lined up all summer long go buy a ticket and see them this is a benefit I am definitely taking my son he is four he loves to see the music at smith park and has been asking me when we can go watch people play all winter as for 30,000 to 50,000 people that number does seem far fetched x fest brings around 30'000

bug
2:12 PM, 5/4/2010

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