Mercedes Scales
BLACKSBURG — This Saturday, June 15, 2019, Blacksburg will be having its Summer Solstice Fest. Among the list of performers set to play is The Jared Stout Band.
Here performing at the Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg in April, the Jared Stout Band is, from left to right: Joey Ballard, John Rardin, Chris Neikirk, Jared Stout, Robby Carden and, not pictured, Frank Hatfield.
The Jared Stout band is no stranger to playing in the town of Blacksburg. For people who enjoy rock music, the band classifies themselves as Appalachian Blues Rock.
In jeans, a simple short-sleeve shirt, and a ball cap, which fit perfectly with his humble personality, Jared Stout sat down at She-Sha Café in downtown Blacksburg this week to talk about how he formed the Jared Stout Gand member-by-member, but truly let everything fall into place on it’s own.
“I just started asking people,” he said. “I met a drummer, we played, and on top of that I met a bass player, and so everyone has just been added one at a time. I do believe this year we will be having a harmonica player join us,” said Stout.
As Blacksburg continues to grow, and brings people out for events like the Summer Solstice Fest, it gives bands the opportunity to perform live and gain exposure. Exposure is nice, but for The Jared Stout Band, the end game isn’t fame.
“It’s a good spot to be. It’s growing. It’s one day. It’s an event. We are in that prime 7:30-9 p.m. time. This is one of our last shows in the area until around August. We are just working on what we do best. We take it one day at a time. We have a future vision and sustainability is the goal opposed to fame,” said Stout.
When asked about what Stout liked the most about performing in Blacksburg or in general, he said the crowd.
“If you go somewhere to perform music and you have a great audience, those are the best shows. It depends on what type of setting, but I believe a good crowd makes everyone in the band better, myself included,” said Stout.
The Jared Stout Band finds inspiration for their music everywhere – each band member contributing their ideas and how to create new music.
“I think all of us see music as a flexible thing. Every song you listen to has a type of meaning or where it comes from and each song is left open to the listener to interpret,” said Stout.
“We are planning to release an EP in August and our first single will be out in July,” said Stout.
The new music will be available on all streaming platforms, but until then enjoy listening to them live on Saturday.
