Tempe Music Festival plays interactive note
Grab a guitar and strum a tune at rock and roll exhibit
Geri Koeppel
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 31, 2005 12:00 AM
At the Tempe Music Festival at Tempe Beach Park on Saturday, you don't have to sit back passively and let the music come to you.
You can be part of the action.
It doesn't matter if you've never played a note. The Fender Musical Instruments Corp. will have interactive displays with acoustic and electric guitars, along with instructors on hand at the show.
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"We'll usually show them a couple chords and get them up and running," said Bill Cummiskey, Fender's vice president of marketing and development.
Although last year it was partially rained out, this is the third year for the Tempe Music Festival, happening noon to midnight. National acts Collective Soul, Blues Traveler, Live and the Bodeans are among more than 30 bands slated to play on four stages.
Or you can break out in song on your own.
The Jeep Fender Spirit of Rock-n-Roll exhibit will include about 40 electric guitars and Fender's Acoustashack will feature at least 15 acoustic instruments, including guitars, mandolins and banjos.
"Oftentimes, we found we needed to separate (the acoustic from electric guitars) for the sake of people being able to hear themselves," Cummiskey said.
People can choose an instrument - from entry-level to high-end - and play at their leisure. Sometimes impromptu jam sessions break out.
"A couple minutes into it, one (musician) is following the other," Cummiskey said, "and before you know it, they're playing a song."
There's no sales pitch, because Fender doesn't sell anything off the exhibits. But you might get an instrument anyway, because they'll give away a guitar and amp package.
For budding young musicians, the Salt River Project is sponsoring the "Lil' Rockers Kids Area" with instruments sized for smaller bodies. There are stages for toddlers, ages 5-12 and young teens with instruments appropriate for each group.
Even if you're not one to pick and grin, there's plenty to see and do at the festival - like watch the bands.
In addition to the big names, local favorites such as Hans Olson, Zowie Bowie and Azz Izz will perform. Roger Clyne of Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers will do an acoustic set with the group's drummer, PH Naffah, at 8 p.m. Saturday on the Fender Asphalt Arena Stage in the west parking lot.
That stage will also be home to extreme athletes, who will show off their BMX and skateboard skills in between sets with their bands. In addition, Budweiser beer is bringing a trailer with pinball, Foosball and other free games.
Patrons also can leave and gain re-entry until 6 p.m. to attend the Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts, running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Tempe the same day.
Ken Koziol of Entertainment Solutions, the event's organizers, said he and his brother, Kevin, decided to start the music festival because every other major market in the country has one.
"They're all large, multi-stage, and the whole community comes out to support these kinds of things," he said.
