Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband – coming to a Greenbelt near you
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Lively, bluegrassy band performs several family friendly concerts as part of the Roaring Youth Jam in Idaho Falls
IDAHO FALLS — Concertgoers frequently wave lighters – or, more recently, cell phones — to show appreciation for the music the band is playing.
At next week’s “Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand” concert in Idaho Falls, however, it’s more likely they’ll be waving corndogs.
For fans of the band, one of the band’s most beloved songs is “Corndogs,” a hidden track from an early album which describes a young man’s search for the girl of his dreams.
“I didn’t think we’d be playing a show and have hordes of people waving corndogs in the air, singing ‘Corndogs,’” said Shupe, who started the band almost 20 years ago. “But that happens, yeah – often.”
The bluegrass/country/rock-influenced band – which Shupe’s website terms “newgrass” – will perform at the Idaho Falls Greenbelt at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 and again at noon on Aug. 7. Admission to both concerts is free and is part of the Idaho Falls Arts Council Roaring Youth Jam festivities.
Roaring Youth Jam brings paint and people together to create art outside
The annual Roaring Youth Jam kicks off next week with lots of fun events. The Youth Jam run Aug. 6 through Aug. 8 and is sponsored by the Idaho Falls Arts Council.
“Youth Jam is a celebration of our mission,” said Georgina Goodlander, visual arts director for the Idaho Falls Arts Council. “We’re here to share visual and performing arts with the community, and Youth Jam is the perfect opportunity to do this, with three days of free activities for kids on the Greenbelt.”
The festival offers 10 free art tents where young artists of all ages can paint, spatter, glue or sprinkle some sparkly glitter. Youth Jam’s art theme, Pirates, was chosen to complement the Museum of Idaho’s current “Real Pirates” exhibit. Prospective pirates can fold and decorate a paper pirate hat, paint a hand to make a pirate face on a paper plate — complete with a pirate’s beard — or print a pirate’s treasure map.
Nearly two dozen non-profit and commercial vendors also will offer free activities for young people. A variety of food trucks and tents will also be on hand to stave off the hunger pangs of any starving artist who meanders by.
And while kids are creating, parents can pull up a chair at the main stage — located on Memorial Drive near B Street — and enjoy youth performances.
From acrobats to zoo mobiles, dancers to talent groups, a new performer will take the stage each hour during the event.
Youth Jam tents are open along Memorial Drive in Idaho Falls from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, wrapping up just before the Great Snake River Greenbelt Duck Race.
While “Corndogs” is a fan favorite, other songs concertgoers might hear are the band’s howl-along song “Phideaux” – pronounced “Fido” – and “If I Were a Bird.”
Shupe formed the band when he was a college student at Weber State University in 1996. Most of the band’s songs are original, as Shupe is a song writer as well as the band’s lead vocalist. Instruments that frequently appear during concerts include the fiddle, banjo and mandolin as well as the core ensemble of guitar, bass and percussion.
The band’s most successful album , Dream Big, peaked at 13 on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums in 2005, with the title track reaching 87 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200. The title track also became a Top 40 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs. The band has released seven CDs to date, with a new CD, “We Rode On,” due for release in the fall of 2015.
Chart successes aside, Shupe and his band strive to deliver a lively yet family friendly event.
“We have people come up all the time that say, ‘Hey, we’re on a road trip, all my little kids are there, then we have us parents, and we have Grandma and Grandpa who are traveling with us, and the only CD we can all agree on is yours,” Shupe said.
Which make the band a perfect fit for the Roaring Youth Jam’s Thursday evening performance.
“Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband have a great reputation around the region for fun, energetic shows that appeal to the whole family,” said Brandi Newton, executive director of the Idaho Falls Arts Council.
So save your corndog sticks and bring them to next week’s concert — maybe you can get them autographed.