Local talent and Journey-tribute band highlight county fair music

WORLAND - For the third year in a row the Washakie County Fair Board contracted with professional event consultant Daniel Kosel to set up the musical lineup for this year's Washakie County Fair.

This year due to COVID-19 concerns the board opted for three days of music instead of six. Kosel said while the lineup is half as many days there is still quite a variety of music genres for people to enjoy.

As far as securing contracts during the pandemic, Kosel said, "Most people are sitting around unemployed and were very excited for me to get a hold of them."

This year's lineup includes two nights of country/folk and a locals night on Friday, featuring talent from Worland.

Saturday night is more of a rock night with what Kosel described as the best Journey tribute band in the whole tri-state area - Escape.

The fair music three-night event starts with Dugan Irby Band of Sheridan opening for Kosel and the Madrona Road Band.

Irby is a "professional quality bass player," according to Kosel. He said he chose Dugan for two reasons, one, he "loves to give the spotlight for younger people" and two, "he's very good."

Kosel said, "I encourage people to get out and see what he does, he's a great musician with great vocals." He added that Irby plays country but "not straight country. He can play folky Americana, like a young James Taylor."

The Madrona Road band and Kosel play "country straight up" with some rock and roll and some blues.

The band includes Marley Ball, a classically trained cellist who can make the cello sound like a fiddle or cello. Other members are Maclin Wiley of Worland and Mike Tranel.

This is their third year performing in Worland at the Washakie County Fair.

Kosel said he enjoys playing in Worland and other small town fairs because they are the "fabric of American life" where kids and adults get a chance to get out in the sunshine and enjoy themselves.

He said he is a professional guitarist with four albums and is ready to launch his fifth so fair goers can expect a lot of new music "to scoot your boot to."

LOCALS NIGHT

Friday night features Worland native Jared Craft as a soloist as the opening act and Rattlesnake Ridge.

"He plays a variety of music from folk to alternative," Kosel said.

Breck Buer and Rattlesnake Ridge "offer pretty straight country. I'm happy to have these guys back and be the stars of local night," Kosel said.

Saturday also features some local flair as Adrian Melin, who normally plays in the No Better, No Worse band, was hired as a soloist since the band was unavailable.

"I'm excited to have someone new from the Worland area," Kosel said.

He added, "I told Adrian that the band he's opening for is a "whole other level."

That band is Escape. Kosel said the lead guitarist is "probably as good as Eddie Van Halen or Eric Clapton."

As for the overall quality of the band, Kosel said, "Worland will think that Journey is there."

Kosel encourages people to come and listen to the music this year. "It is really, really important to the musicians, they appreciate having folks show up, especially now when things aren't being done for live music."

He said all the concerts will be family friendly and it is "going to be a good time."

Opening acts begin at 7 p.m. with the featured acts playing from 8-10 p.m.

"As the event consultant for the Washakie County Fair, I want to say it's a pleasure getting to do this because people have been so welcoming and very appreciative."