7 Bridges: 'We try to do it on a level that you feel like you're seeing the Eagles'

COSHOCTON − Giving a performance that emulates an award-winning rock band is always the goal of 7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Experience.

The group Rolling Stone Magazine called "the best Eagles tribute band on earth" will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, on the Coshocton Court Square as the last installment of the second annual concert series. Other performers were the Heart tribute band Bad Animals, Dirty Deeds - The Xtreme AC/DC Tribute and rising country star Claudia Hoyser.

7 Bridges features Bryan Graves as Glenn Frey, Keith Thoma as Don Henley, Brian Franklin as Don Felder, Richie Scholl as Joe Walsh, James Richardson as Randy Meisner and Timothy Schmit and Vernon Roop as Joe Vitale. The band is named for the Eagles song "Seven Bridges Road." They pride themselves on not using any backing tracks or harmonizers in providing the most authentic Eagles concert experience possible.

"The Eagles didn't really worry about the show part of it as much as they did the music. But we try to do both in putting a show on and doing all the great Eagles' hits. There are so many, sometimes it's hard to fit them all in there," Graves said. "We try to make it a fun show. We want everyone happy and having had fun when they leave."

Almost every Eagles album has gone platinum multiple times with "Hotel California" and two greatest hits compilations achieving diamond status. They've had 18 top 40 hits with number one songs of "Best of My Love," "One of These Nights," "New Kid in Town," "Hotel California," and "Heartache Tonight."

While the Eagles have had numerous hits and incarnations over the years, Graves said they focus on the prime hitting-making period of the 1970s. While "Lyin' Eyes" is a favorite, Graves said it's hard to single out just one tune and he believes fans feel the same.

"I think the harmonies and the great songs," Graves said on the appeal of the Eagles. "Just every single one of them was a hit, people know them and get to sing along with us."

Graves was formerly the bassist for the group in the Schmidt/Meisner role. He left for a bit and when he returned the Glenn Frey spot as guitarist was open and he took that, which he feels fits him better. While they don't try to look like the guys, Graves said they try to match up musically. They'll be doing some shows with orchestras playing with them next year and they're also working on some original songs.

"We've got a really good lineup right now. I think it's best lineup we've ever had," he said. "We're excited to get out and let people see it."

Graves is no stranger to the tribute act scene having played Paul Stanley in a Kiss tribute band in the past. He said there's a big difference between a band singing covers and an act that considers themselves a real tribute to the original artist. The scene has really exploded since he started out with plenty of groups now devoted to Kiss, the Eagles and more.

"People kind of looked down on us for being a tribute band back then, but we got to play in front of audiences. We weren't out there hoping someone would show up. It just spring boarded after that and it got really heavy," Graves said of the tribute act scene. "We try to do it on a level that you feel like you're seeing the Eagles."

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: The Ultimate Eagles Experience performing for Coshocton concert series