CLEARFIELD – Some things are uniquely American. Apple pie, baseball and hotdogs come to mind … as does the headline act for this year’s Thrills in the Hills in the Clearfield Driving Park — Grand Funk Railroad.
The second annual event starts Friday with gates opening at 3 p.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday with Grand Funk Railroad taking the stage at 7 p.m.
Don Brewer, vocalist and drummer for the band, said he and the rest of the band are ready to bring The American Band to Clearfield County.
The band came on the scene in 1969, becoming one of the country’s most popular bands and shattering records for ticket sales and making others go platinum or gold through album sales.
After so many years touring, Brewer said he still enjoys taking the show on the road.
“We’re older, and the audience is older,” he said. “To be able to still do this at 58 is amazing.”
The band includes both Brewer and bassist Mel Schacher, original Grand Funk Railroad members, as well as singer Max Carl, lead guitarist Bruce Kulick and keyboardist Tim Cashion.
Brewer said the band is a fantastic group of players with loads of experience from across musical genres, but the men have one thing that unites them.
“We all share a common love for R&B and rock,” Brewer said.
Brewer calls Carl, who hails from 38 Special, “the best blue-eyed soul singer on the planet.” Kulick spent 12 years with KISS but has also played with Meatloaf and Billy Squier. Cashion earned a master’s degree in music and has shared time with Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band and Robert Palmer.
But after all of those years, is it still fun for the men of The American Band?
“Absolutely,” said Brewer.
All of the men have families, so they try to play about once a week.
“It’s a real nice schedule now.”
And the bonus for Brewer is the feeling of being in front of a crowd.
“It’s a rush you can’t get anyplace else.”
Brewer said those at the show will hear some new material from the band.
“We definitely are excited to play our new stuff on stage.”
As for a new album: not right now, said Brewer.
“Radio is not what it used to be for classic rock. Stations want to play the classics, not new songs from a classic band.”
For tickets, call the Clearfield County Fair and Park Board office at 765-4629 or buy tickets at any of the following locations: Champions Choice in Curwensville, DuBois Harley-Davidson in DuBois, Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield, Buster’s Sports Bar in Clearfield or the Clearfield Chamber of Commerce. Advance tickets are $11 or purchase at the gate for $15.
For more information on Thrills in the Hills, visit the Web site.