What began as a casual get-together in January among two longtime friends has grown to become a new, pop-rock band with a horn section as hot as the summer.
And that nine-member ensemble with the compound name of Three Beards Strummin’ and Soul Patch will be among headliners at a new, day-long music festival called Hogstock on Saturday at Hog Molly Brewing Co., 830 Depot St. in Columbus. The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Columbus Area Arts Council.
“I can’t wait,” said trumpet player Mike Dorenbusch.
At dinner one day, Dorenbusch casually mentioned to Drew Robertson, the keyboard and percussion player for the popular local pop-rock band 40 Years of College, that he missed playing (because of the COVID-19 pandemic) via a worship group at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. Dorenbusch also mentioned he always wanted to perform part-time in a full rock band, and added that his friend Doug Roese, a trombonist, probably could join them.
All are local doctors.
One rehearsal later in Robertson’s basement, others gradually began to be added to the mix: drummer Brian Walsh, plus the three guitarists of Three Beards Strummin’.
“We then realized we would need someone who could produce horn charts quickly,” Robertson said.
So he reached out to Bryan Munoz, Columbus North High School’s director of bands and a trombonist. Munoz then asked Keith Burton, the school’s assistant director of bands, if he would consider doing the charts. Soon afterward, both Burton and Munoz were on board as additions to the new group’s brass section.
Then came practice of classic cover tunes from larger rock groups such as Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire.
“I think honestly that people are going to be shocked — and in a very good way,” said guitarist Scott Wilson of Three Beards Strummin’. “What I’ve learned in music is that of you surround with musicians who are a lot better than you, then you yourself will sound a lot better. Because all of the musicians in this group are really incredible.
“We’ve had so much fun practicing. And the members of this group, outside of me, are all so musically gifted that they seem to pick up everything so fast from the beginning of a rehearsal to the end that our improvement has been pretty incredible.”
Robertson agreed.
“I feel like we have become very proficient very quickly,” he said. “The sound is incredible.”
So, too, is the overall enjoyment.
“I never could have imagined this could turn out to be such fun,” Dorenbusch said.
Besides Dorenbusch, Roese, Robertson, Walsh, Wilson, Burton and Munoz, members are Aaron Hatton and Chris Newman.
The group has spoken only a little about the 12- or 13-song set list for Saturday to retain an element of surprise with listeners. People already have heard tidbits of promising news, according to Robertson.
“There seems to be a lot of buzz about us,” Robertson said.
He broke into good-natured laughter about one bit of buzz someone had heard: That the new band members without any facial hair would wear a fake “soul patch” — that is, an artistic tuft of hair on the chin, all to better reflect the group name.
Robertson acknowledged the humor and patched up that wrong idea faster than the concept for the band came together.
“I didn’t suggest that,” he said.
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What: Hogstock, a live, outdoor, 21-and-older music and craft beer festival to benefit the Columbus Area Arts Council. It will feature nine local or regional music acts and several food trucks and a variety of craft beer. It will be held rain or shine.
When: Gates open at 11 a.m. for the 21-and-older event slated from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Hog Molly Brewing Co. at 830 Depot St. on the north end of Columbus.
Seating: Bring your own chair.
Lineup:
- Acoustic Edge, a classic rock duo.
- Matt Rust, offering covers and original folk-rock.
- Pat Gill, classic and modern rock.
- Timothy Scott, classic rock.
- Lindsey Flannery, classic and soulful rock.
- Beep Boop, classic pop-rock and some country.
- The McGuires Band, classic rock.
- 3 Beards Strummin’
- 3 Beards and Soul Patch, a just-formed local group doing everything from Chicago to Earth, Wind and Fire.
Tickets: Advance tickets (through June 9) are $20 (or $10 for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. teachers with valid school ID); later sales, $25.
Information: eventbrite.com/e/hogstock-live-music-and-beer-festival-tickets-151066131867
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