Published: July 02, 2009 11:47 pm      

Rockin’ in the Park

Summer Motion brings in crowd for musical acts

ASHLAND — For the second night in a row, Central Park hosted a rockin’ concert attended by hundreds.

British rocker Spencer Davis and the Spencer Davis Group opened the night’s entertainment bringing Ashland-born singer and songwriter Mark Fosson on stage for a guest appearance. Fosson played harmonica and sang vocals on Muddy Waters’ “I got my Mojo Working.”

The group played a blend of its classic and new hits, including the 1966 No. 1 hit “Somebody Help Me” and the popular “Gimme Some Lovin.’” New tunes included the title track from the new album “So Far” and “The Mumbles Train.”

Friends Jill Hicks, 48, of northern Kentucky, Susan Ramey, 47, of Ashland, and Sherry McDavid, 47, of Ashland, were seated in the VIP section. The womenes said they enjoyed The Spencer Davis Group but were holding out to hear the Atlanta Rhythm Section.

“This group had hits when we were in high school so we wanted to hear them again,” Ramey said during intermission.

The trio disagreed about whether they preferred the park or riverfront but were unanimous about Summer Motion.

“All of us have attended Summer Motion all through the years,” McDavid said.

When the Atlanta Rhythm Section finally took the stage shortly before 9:30 p.m. both young and old boogied beneath the trees for the remainder of the night.

“I’ve been having a lot of fun,” said Ethan Slone, 7, of Ashland. In addition to somersaults with his siblings and cousins and dissecting lighting bugs, Slone said his favorite part of the night was “looking at girls.”

His uncle, Frank Pierce, 52, of Ashland, sat on a blanket with is wife, Teresa, 48, both tending one of a trio of infants the extended family had brought to the event.

Frank Pierce said he came out to hear the Spencer Davis Group, which he got to enjoy sitting under one of the towering trees.

“It’s real nice. There’s a lot of room to spread out,” he said of the park.

“You can breathe,” added his wife.

The couple both said they would like to see it again in the park but either way they’ll be here next summer. The festival is a family favorite.

Summer Motion is a favorite event for the performers too.

Davis said earlier in the day before his performance he was thrilled to be back in Ashland for Summer Motion. Davis performed nearly a decade ago with the Rock and Roll All-Stars and jumped at the opportunity to play in Ashland this year with his new band.

Davis said the group is in the middle of an international summer tour but had a few spare days to travel to Ashland before heading back to Europe.

“It was waiting there. That was the window,” he said.

The hospitality of Summer Motion’s volunteers along with the great fans drew him back.

“They look after us,” he said, before taking a quick tour of the stage at Central Park on Thursday afternoon.

CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.