The Jackson Way takes its rollicking good fun so seriously that its Facebook mission statement of sorts fittingly carries all the straightforward emphasis of a pronounced, rock drum beat: “Five multi-talented musicians on a mission to make you dance, sing, and have one of the greatest nights of your life.”
Any questions?
The quintet well-known to many local listeners and nightspot visitors makes a return visit to the Columbus Area Arts Council’s free JCB Neighborfest Aug. 1, promising everything from hip-hop to country. At many appearances, listeners can expect classic The Beatles, pop from Justin Timberlake or country from Luke Combs.
Such an eclectic mix allows followers to see and hear a different style of show each time, according to band members who talked of their varied ways with The Republic last year. Most members of the group grew up listening to a wide genre of music. Scott Charlton, the group’s bassist-vocalist and father of drummer/vocalist Shawn Charlton, nurtured his son’s musical instincts so early that the youngster was running lights for his dad’s touring band by age 8.
So the percussionist regularly has viewed performances as sheer fun far more than work, despite the obvious discipline involved.
“At just about any show,” Shawn Charlton said last year, “we’re up there having the time of our lives.”
The idea: Allow that enthusiasm to spread from the stage to the audience for one exuberant experience.
Besides the Charltons, members are lead vocalist Nathan Orme, lead guitarist/vocalist Michael Rohr, and keyboardist/vocalist Jordan Roberts.
For the uninitiated, the group has proven it can handle far more than cool lyrics. Take this description from a recent gig and subsequent social media post: “We slayed the dance floor like it was a dragon.”
Clearly, some people have died by the sword. But members of The Jackson Way live by it, delivering that aforementioned greatest night of your life.
From the contemporary noble knights of rock.
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What: The Columbus Area Arts Council’s presentation of the monthly summertime JCB Neighborfest street concert, with the help of Fun On Fourth, featuring local band The Jackson Way.
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 1
Where: In front of The Commons at 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus. Rain location is inside The Commons.
Admission: Free.
Food and drinks sold: Fun On Fourth will provide beverages and bar drinks and The Savory Swine will provide burgers and brats.
Information: artsincolumbus.org
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