Scott Tady: Ghost Hounds singer joins Beaver show; and Deutschtown & Beaver Station acts shined

I always use the word "charismatic" to describe Tre Nation's delightful stage presence.

His repertoire of smiles, swagger, and microphone spins complement a soulfully bluesy voice that's entertained sold-out stadiums on both sides of the Atlantic.

Now you can catch Nation singing in a Beaver park, when the Ghost Hounds' frontman is special guest on six songs at an Aug. 13 concert where an all-star band performs '70s and '80s hits.

The 7 p.m. show takes place at Linn Park, off River Road, just like last year's Elton John tribute that was one of Beaver County's 2021 concert highlights.

Once again, Beaver County Musicians' Hall of Famer Joe Munroe will serve as band leader, and he's convinced his Ghost Hounds bandmate Nation to join in, busting out the kind of moxie the Ghost Hounds displayed when opening for the legendary Rolling Stones on American and European tour dates in 2021-22.

Everyone's keeping tight-lipped about the setlist, though Munroe let it slip Nation will sing Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and "five-ish" other songs. I'd love to hear him on the Ghost Hounds' fiery, cool concert staple "Devil Woman," a 1976 hit by Cliff Richard.

Roadside signs and fliers promise a night ranging from yacht rock to dance tunes. One flier tossed out names like Lionel Richie, Little River Band, Hall & Oates, Kenny Loggins, Duran Duran, Pointer Sisters, Abba and Tears for Fears (which would give spectators a great chance to shout, shout, let it all out.)

Count on a Billy Joel tune since the band includes Pittsburgh singer Pete Hewlett who's been part of The Piano Man's tour band. The band also includes Grammy-winning saxophonist Eric DeFade, guitarist Steve Delach (Billy Price Band), drummer Mark Pollera (Dan Bubien & The Delta Struts), popular Pittsburgh singer Katie Simone and others with impressive pedigrees.

The rain date is Aug. 14.

Tickets are $10 and $30 by calling or texting 724-650-3960 or emailing LandCPromotions2019@gmail.com

Nation and Munroe should be rested by then from their Aug. 3 Ghost Hounds gig opening for The Stones in Berlin.

Rose to the occasion

Buffalo Rose sounded marvelous in its Beaver Valley debut last weekend at the Beaver Station Cultural & Event Center.

The Pittsburgh-based, now-national-band waited just two songs to premiere "Machine Man," a single released earlier that day. Buffalo Rose's set spanned its four-year catalog of modern-folk, led by the lovely vocal harmonies of Lucy Clabby and Margot Jezerc, working wonderfully in tandem with the pop-folk vocal stylings and guitar picking of Shane McLaughlin.

Fellow string players Bryce Rabideau (mandolin), Malcolm Inglis (dobro), Jason Rafalak (upright bass) powered the band's Appalachian sound. They knew what to do when a CSX train whooshed by, improvising a foot-stomping jam until the train passed, and lyrics could be heard again.

When McLaughlin's guitar strumming busted a string, Jezerc covered for him.

"You're here for jazz, right?" she said to the outdoor audience of nearly 100, ad-libbing the 1930s standard "It's Only a Paper Moon," accompanied by mandolin and upright bass. It was beautiful.

The second set ended with a mash-up of The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" and Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams" that earned a standing ovation. As co-emcee, I had seen the setlist taped to the stage, and that was supposed to be the final number, but cheers from the crowd convinced Buffalo Rose to return for an encore.

The band gave the crowd a choice of two songs. The vast majority wisely shouted for Buffalo Rose's cover of Madonna's "Borderline," which sounded glorious, as it does when played on Pittsburgh radio's 91.3-WYEP.

Deutschtown rules

With 400 musical acts on 40 stages, you must admire Deutschtown Music Festival on Pittsburgh's North Side.

I checked out the Saturday afternoon offerings, and came away impressed by acts like acoustic rocker Elias Khouri, harmony-powered Americana band Woodland Creatures, and pop-punk band Adelaide in Autumn, which mixed peppy originals with fun covers, including Lorde's "Royals" and a medley that galivanted thorough "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" theme, Nelly. Britney Spears and Blink-182.

Beaver County strongly represented, of course. Bobby Thompson & The Groove tore it up with their rocking brand of blues on the Allegheny City Brewing outdoor stage; Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School student/Misra recording artist Gabriella Salvucci demonstrated poise as a solo singer playing keys and guitar inside the James Street Ballroom, and Trevolta, with local guitarist Jesse Mark, brought an '80s hard-rock vibe to the main stage.

Alas, shortly before 3 p.m., a wicked storm rolled through Deutschtown, preventing me from catching an outdoor set by Beaver County alt-rock band Overload in Stereo.

"Rocket Fuel," Overload in Stereo's new guitar-driven single, quickly has amassed 8,000 Spotify streams, while the band's previous singles ‘Imaginations’ and ‘Something Else’ earned airtime on 97.7-FM's "The Grass Roots" program.

Overload in Stereo's website offers a "Behind The Lyrics" segment providing insight into the group's songs. We learn "Rocket Fuel" was inspired by the Battle of Jericho and the biblical life of Joshua.

"The lyrics are about overcoming fear and its deception in order to run with reckless abandon to take down our adversary and receive the inheritance waiting for each of us," the band says.

I'm impressed by the catchy grooves and musicianship on their Spotify songs.

"We’re going to head back into the studio and recording mode," bassist Joshua King says. "We’ve been wanting to get about six more songs ready for release."

Lincoln Park to CLO

Two students of the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School appear in the Pittsburgh CLO's new production of "A Chorus Line."

Alicen Mosura, a junior from Brighton Township, and Brett Barthelemy, a sophomore from Hopewell Township, both perform in the ensemble of the show, running through July 31 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh.

More:Scott Tady: Bridgewater shows to see; local theater issues challenge

More:Scott Tady: Buffalo Rose to play Beaver; Jimmie Ross has local hit

More:What's cooking: Economy to get brewery; Monaca restaurant closes; The Ark sets sail

Ambridge patio opens

Iron Horse Community Theatre cut the ceremonial ribbon and opened its new outdoor patio and garden last weekend.

The cozy pre-show gathering spot includes a stone tile walkway, flowered landscaping, and tables and chairs under a shade-producing overhang. A wooden fence encloses the space, but maintains an organic feel with the Lower Ambridge neighborhood.

Enjoy the setting before attending upcoming Iron Horse shows like the musical "The Mad Ones," Aug. 12-13, 19-21, 26-27, a Sept. 23 standup comedy night; and a Sept. 24 sold-out Grateful Dead tribute.

Scott Tady, entertainment editor at The Times, is at stady@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Ghost Hounds singer to join Beaver park show; Buffalo Rose shined