Bedford Bash
Bedford Bash continues tradition of supporting local charities
The 27th annual event to feature The Thrillers band,
car show, TCHS cheerleaders and more
BEDFORD, Ky. (August 2016) – The band, The Thrillers, were formed in the 1990s to work one-nighters. So far, they are still going strong and will be the featured entertainment for this year’s Bedford Bash, set for Friday, Aug. 19 in Bedford, Ky.
Drummer John Manning said the band plays private parties, concerts and dances in addition to reunions, receptions and corporate events. “We perform classic rock, soul and variety music. We have a great song selection.”
He got his start in music by playing “drums in elementary school, high school and college.” Manning is currently the CEO of the La Grange branch of the Bedford Loan & Deposit Bank, which annually sponsors the Bedford Bash.
All members of The Thrillers are professional musicians. When performing, there are usually five to six band members present plus a vocalist. Members perform on guitar, bass, keyboard, drums and tenor saxophone.
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Photo provided Bedford Bank CEO John Manning plays drums for The Thrillers band. The group is scheduled to perform Aug. 19 at the bank-sponsored Bedford Bash. |
Manning said his influences came from listening “to top ’40s rock in the 1960s on WAKY and WKLO.” Since that time, he has been involved in some aspect of the music scene.
He stays busy booking two additional bands as well, The Sizzle and Dixie Sizzle. “The Sizzle performs jazz standards and big band. Dixie Sizzle performs Dixieland. These three styles provide entertainment for a wide variety of occasions.”
The bands perform live music in Louisville, and surrounding areas, such as Oldham County and southern Indiana. The Sizzle often performs instrumental Big Band jazz, Latin and pop tunes.
Dixie Sizzle is known as a traditional Dixieland jazz band. Their repertoire includes the sounds of New Orleans, and hits by such greats as Louis Armstrong, The Dukes of Dixieland and Jelly Roll Morton.
Manning and The Thrillers will bring their blend of classic rock, soul and a variety of sounds to the 27th annual Bedford Bash. Held from 5-9 p.m., the event takes place in downtown Bedford around the Trimble County Courthouse and the parking lot of the Bedford Loan & Deposit Bank. The Thrillers will take the stage at 7 p.m.
“The Bedford Bash is a great community festival,” Manning said. “This is a special year since Bedford Loan & Deposit Bank celebrates its 125th anniversary. We are proud to be a part of Bedford Bash.”
In addition to live music, the Bedford Bash will include dancing and door prizes. Entertainment “starts at 6:30 p.m. with Trimble County Cheerleaders following the County Kickers line dance group,” said organizer April Craig. She also works for Bedford Loan & Deposit Bank as a Compliance Officer.
This event is a fundraiser for the Trimble County Emergency Search Unit. Proceeds from the 10th annual Bedford Bash Car Show benefit the Emergency Search Unit.
The volunteer unit focuses on search and rescue of missing persons such as the elderly and children. Occasionally, they are called upon to search for persons missing due to a large-scale natural disaster, such as a tornado.
The car show, which will be on the Trimble County Courthouse Square, is open to all vehicles from 5-8 p.m. Registration closes at 7 p.m. the day of the show.
Dash plaques, goodie bags and door prizes, including five $20 cash prizes, will be awarded. There will be four Best of Show trophies given out and 10 Best of Show License Plates.
The car show is also a memorial to the late former sheriff Howard Long and the late deputy Denny Long and Mark Rexroat.
Additional nonprofits that benefit from the Bash include Boy Scouts, Bedford Rotary Club, Trimble County High School Basketball, Trimble County Cheerleaders and the Bedford Fire Department. As attendees have come to expect, the Bedford Fire Department will be holding a fish fry, and the Bedford Rotary Club will provide hamburgers and hotdogs.
“The sale of the Bash T-shirts benefits needy kids for Christmas,” said Craig. “Nonprofit organizations are welcome to set up with Bash Committee approval.”
Craig said mostly locals attend the Bedford Bash, and it “is a great fundraiser for the nonprofit organizations. The community enjoys the street dance and the chance to win door prizes sponsored by the local merchants and business people.”