Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Downtown Days are coming up and this year there are some special musical guests.
Along with such events as the courthouse play, the "Years Gone By" Parade and the time capsule, there will be two concerts. The first will be given by the Guitar Woodies Friday at 7 p.m. in Central Park. The second will be given by TRUTH and Scott Krippayne Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
The Guitar Woodies are a local acoustic guitar band consisting of three members: Jim Howie on rhythm and pick guitar, Steve Colagrossi on lead guitar and Tim Robie on bass.
"We play a variety of guitars," said Howie, "ranging from electric to acoustic. We try to have a sense of humor about our music."
Howie said the band has no drummer. "We play loud enough so you can hear our music but not so loud that you can't talk to your neighbor," he said.
Sometimes the Guitar Woodies have the help of former lead guitar and vocalist Mike Todd, who was a member of the band for four years. When the band needs a drum, Todd, who was originally a drummer, provides the beat. Mostly, however, Howie supplies the rhythm with his guitar.
Organized in 1995, the band is coming into its sixth year and plays primarily classic desert island acoustic, including songs from such artists as the Beatles, the Eagles, Jackson Brown, the Byrds and Jimmy Buffet.
They have played for a number of country clubs as well as at events like the Plymouth Blueberry Festival. They also played for Warsaw, Syracuse and Goshen parks departments and they sometimes play at weddings.
"We've all been playing 35 years each," Howie said. "That's over 100 hundred years of experience combined."
The First Presbyterian Church of Warsaw is sponsoring the other two musical acts, TRUTH and Scott Krippayne, both contemporary Christian artists.
TRUTH is an acronym for the group's faith and purpose: Trust, Receive Unchangeable True Happiness in Jesus. The group of young musicians was founded in 1971 by Roger Breland, a minister of music from Alabama. They have performed all around the world, including places like the Philippines, where they converted people to Christianity. Other than one "detour" in their spiritual journey occurring in 1974, when they almost became a rock 'n' roll group, TRUTH has promoted the hope and faith they find in their religion and music.
Scott Krippayne, whose sound is considered "worshipful," was named American Songwriter's No. 1 Christian Artist of the Year in 1996. He has recorded three albums, with his latest "Bright Star, Blue Sky."
Come see these talented artists this weekend. Both concerts are free and open to the public.
