Times flies when you’re raising kids and raising cain as a rock ‘n’ roll troubadour. Ask Madison native and resident Rusty Bladen as he quickly considers past and present with his sons.
“Never thought that one day I’d be changing their diapers and, seemingly, the next I’d be playing music with them,” he said with a chuckle as he recently spoke by phone from his home.
Believe it. Because Neil Bladen more than capably serves as a bassist and vocalist, and Jackson Bladen mans the keyboard in dad’s band called The Unstoppables. The five-member Bladen-laden group brings its all-in-the-family feel to the opening of the free 2019 JCB Neighborfest season at 6 p.m. today in front of The Commons at 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
The Columbus Area Arts Council and the local Fun On Fourth have made the street concerts dating to 1991 among the most popular of local, family-friendly events for years. And goodness knows the Bladens understand the concept of family friendly.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
“This is like a dream come true,” the dad said of sharing his 40-year music career of originals and covers with his kids.
Many of the 59-year-old Bladen’s dreams to spread his music far and wide continue to come true. Just last year, the singer, guitarist, harmonica and mandolin player began performing inside Lucas Oil Stadium during pregame festivities on home game days on the concourse for the NFL Indianapolis Colts. The group will return again this fall for the team’s home dates. Band members consider their mix of mostly classic covers at the venue a real challenge with a very fluid crowd.
“Your audience there is almost always on the move,” he said. “So, it’s great if you can get them to stop for a little while (to listen).”
In concert, Bladen himself is a man on the move. Just before the last time he came to town, he seemed shocked during a pre-concert chat when someone asked if he ever sits during a performance just to mellow the mood. He might as well have been asked if he trashes the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
“It’s more entertaining to see a singer move around,” Bladen said. “It gives people something else to watch, and you also can connect to more people in the crowd while you’re going from one side to the other.”
Though most of The Unstoppables’ shows unfold in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, the band will play a variety of pubs in Ireland in August.
Seymour native and guitarist Thom Daugherty, formerly of the pop-rock group The Elms, produced Bladen’s last album, “For the Better.” And a few years ago, Daugherty saluted Bladen as “a great storyteller” with lyrics that “are personable and conversational.”
One of Bladen’s better known original tunes is “Ride That River,” focusing on the thunderous spectacle of the Madison Regatta hydroplane race. The tune was the title track of the 2001 movie “Madison,” starring Jim Caviezel and Bruce Dern.
The guy who is so involved in his art actually does all his own artwork for his merchandise, and has long done done pencil sketches that he gives as gifts. His only hobby beyond that? Well, music — casually jamming with friends.
“I refuse,” he said, “to ever get a real job.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: JCB Neighborfest street concert with Madison native pop-rock act Rusty Bladen and The Unstoppables. Organized by the Columbus Area Arts Council with help from Fun On Fourth.
When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. today.
Where: The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
Admission: Free.
Concessions: Food and drinks available.
Information: artsincolumbus.org
[sc:pullout-text-end]
