Low turnout but big on sound: Downtown Canton Music Fest kicks off new two-day event

Ed Balint, Canton Repository

Updated September 9, 2023 at 12:15 AM·6 min read

Michael Austin plays saxophone with the Robert Johnson Project at the Downtown Canton Music Fest on Thursday afternoon.

CANTON ? Rhonda Briggs sat at a picnic table Thursday night at the Downtown Canton Music Fest and reminisced about the Canton Blues Fest.

Seated with her husband, Rick Briggs, the couple came out on the first day of the free event to check out the live music, which included several local bands, running the gamut from honky-tonk to rock to jazz and blues.

Rhonda Briggs was among around 100 people scattered about Centennial Plaza. More attendees were dining and drinking at a busy Jerzee's Cafe at the plaza.

"I was very disappointed that they ended it," she said of Blues Fest. "It was just the whole feel of it. The crowd was just a whole different feel. It was jam-packed with people, elbow to elbow. It was just real special."

Concertgoers watch a band perform Thursday night at the Downtown Canton Music Fest at Centennial Plaza. The first-time event continues Friday with several area bands and tribute acts for Tom Petty and the Eagles.

But the East Canton couple decided to give the new event a try. The Briggses said they were enjoying the music, but wished more people would have attended.

Rhonda and Rick said they planned to return Friday for more music, including to see Canton native and former Eagles touring drummer Joe Vitale Sr. make an appearance with his son's alternative rock band, Ravenwood. Popular tribute bands for Tom Petty and the Eagles (King's Highway and Out of Eden) are also performing.

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Playing the classics Ready to rock in Canton: New music fest features Eagles, Petty tributes and original bands

"We love coming to the music events," she said. "I was surprised there weren't more people here."

Added the 70-year-old Rick Briggs: "I was surprised they did it on a Thursday. I was disappointed with how small the crowd was. Not for me but for the working musicians."

Today's music begins at noon on stage B with an acoustic jam.

Starlight Band performs 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. at Centennial Plaza; Wing It (featuring Brad Harper) 3:30 to 4 p.m. (stage B); Out of Eden (Eagles tribute) 4 to 5:15 p.m. at Centennial Plaza; Jeff Poulos 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. (stage B); King's Highway (Tom Petty tribute) 5:45 to 7 p.m. at Centennial Plaza; Bret Kuhnash 7 to 7:30 p.m. (stage B); ZYGRT (Led Zeppelin, Yes, Genesis, Rush and Toto tribute) 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. at Centennial Plaza; The Scenic Route 8:45 to 9:15 p.m. (stage B); and Ravenwood (featuring Joe Vitale Jr. and Joe Vitale Sr.), 9:15 to 10:30 p.m.

Michael Austin plays saxophone with the Robert Johnson Project at the Downtown Canton Music Fest on Thursday.

Rowdy, fun and pure rock 'n' roll

Although attendance was noticeably low for the first day of the Downtown Canton Music Fest, bands like Yankee Bravo, Groove Thang and WINTRIP displayed fine musicianship during the evening performances. Instrumental jazz and blues numbers rang out from the Centennial Plaza stage, including sizzling guitar work by Chris Wintrip.

Alternating between Centennial Plaza and Stage B, live music was virtually unending Thursday afternoon and evening.

Making the most of their 30-minute slot were The New Delhi Monkeymen, a scrappy and spunky band from the New Philadelphia area. The band turned the small Stage B (Market Avenue N and Fourth Street NW) into a full-on party with punk rock energy.

WINTRIP performs Thursday night during the Downtown Canton Music Fest at Centennial Plaza. The free event continues Friday with several local and area bands, as well as Tom Petty and Eagles tribute acts.

Ciro Ciraci, frontman for New Delhi Monkeymen, was rowdy, fun and pure rock 'n' roll.

Ending the show, he asked the crowd of about 30 people gathered near the stage, and another 20 or so farther back, if they wanted another song. Loud clapping and hooting signaled a yes vote.

Stepping off the stage, Ciraci worked his way through the audience, microphone in hand and a cup of beer in the other. Face heavily sweating, the vocalist led a rousing rendition of the Elton John classic, "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting."

Concertgoers watch a band perform Thursday night at the Downtown Canton Music Fest at Centennial Plaza. The free and first-time event continues Friday with several area bands, as well as Tom Petty and Eagles tribute acts.

Crowd size clearly didn't matter to the 58-year-old Ciraci, who brought the showmanship and oomph of a headlining act at Blossom Music Center.

Fans showered him with kudos afterward. "You guys were phenomenal," declared Dave Morris, 36, a former Stark County resident who now lives in Tacoma, Washington. "They're this phenomenal every time."

After the show, Ciraci was as humble as he was revved up while on stage. Forming about seven years ago, this was the first time the New Delhi Monkeymen performed in downtown Canton.

Members of The New Delhi Monkeymen perform Thursday night on stage B at the Downtown Canton Music Fest. The first-time event continues Friday with several area bands, as well as popular tribute acts for Tom Petty and the Eagles.

"My dad was a musician," Ciraci said with a broad grin. "I'm not a musician. I just get up and make noise."

"We're so honored to be here," he said of the new Canton event. "There's so many great musicians."

Asked if he was disappointed with the attendance, Ciraci appeared unfazed. "Whoever shows up, we have fun. We thought it was great."

Music to the front, music to the back

Those who were at the music fest had a good time. Count John and Kim Applebye of Louisville among them.

"I like music and my college roommate plays with New Delhi Monkeymen," said John Applebye, 59. "We come for Light Up Downtown every year (and First Friday events). Tonight was probably lowkey because it's a Thursday, but I was excited for the different varieties of bands."

Kim Applebye said she values the opportunity to see live music for free downtown. The event is being presented and coordinated by the nonprofit Downtown Canton Partnership.

"You can come and go as you want," she said.

Jeff Devore and Rebecca Lewis of Massillon were enjoying the mix of genres.

"I love live music outdoors," said Lewis, who attended Blues Fest in the past. "It's a unique experience. I appreciate Canton's commitment to the arts. I think people should appreciate that their town offers this."

The Yankee Bravo trio performs on stage B on Thursday during the Downtown Canton Music Fest. The free and first-time event continues Friday at Centennial Plaza, featuring several local and area bands, as well as Tom Petty and Eagles tribute acts.

As for the first-day crowd, Devore was cool with it: "I came because it's a Thursday and less people. I don't like big crowds."

Live music rotated both in front of him and to the rear.

"When you're switching out, you can just turn around and see another band," he said. "The music is great."

Matt Dowdy, left, and Tom Lerch, perform at the Downtown Canton Music Fest at Centennial Plaza.

Steve Meese, 55, of Canton, had only learned of the new music event earlier Thursday.

Sitting about 20 feet from the main stage, Meese, who once took guitar lessons from Chris Wintrip, raised his voice over the smooth and inspired jazz and blues sounds of his former mentor's band WINTRIP.

This was the first time in decades he had seen his former instructor. Widening his eyes, he said he was thoroughly impressed.

"He was a great teacher and he's a killer musician."