Cape band goes for bigger gigs from Carbondale music contest

Although it's still winter, one local band is getting ready for summer.

Cape Girardeau's The Big Idea will perform in a competition Feb. 1 in Carbondale, Ill., for a chance to perform at Summer Camp Music Festival 2014. Since it first began in 2001, the festival in Chillicothe, Ill., has grown to host more than 100 bands and 15,000 attendees during the three-day event.

According to Will Montgomery, one of the founders of The Big Idea, the opportunity to play at Summer Camp would open doors for the band in the future.

"Playing at Summer Camp would really open up more festivals to us in the future," he said. "To land a chance like that would look good on a resume for the future when we're trying to play more festivals."

Bands that have played at Summer Camp "are gigantic," Montgomery said. According to the festival's website, artists that have performed there in the past include Willie Nelson, The Flaming Lips and The Roots.

The competition, called "Summer Camp: On The Road Tour" will be at Carbondale's Hangar 9, a place Montgomery said is familiar to the band. He said they play there about once a month, but the three other bands in the competition are from Southern Illinois and have a larger area following.

"We're trying to get a caravan together to bring people from Cape," he said.

Encouraging fans to come isn't just about the moral support; fans' votes determine the event winner, which is announced at the end of the show.

Those who attend can expect to hear a variety of music, said Montgomery. As for the music of The Big Idea, he said fans can expect its usual "high-energy folk rock."

As far as nervousness goes, Montgomery said the band is prepared.

"We're always ready; this is just another show," he said. "The biggest thing right now is trying to get people from Cape."

In addition to Montgomery, the band includes Dale Baker, Tommy Main, Joseph Parent and Scott Welton.

The Summer Camp: On The Road Tour begins at 9 p.m. Feb. 1 at Hangar 9. The Big Idea will close the show, and Montgomery said he expects the band to begin playing about 12:45 a.m. Cover charge for the event is $5.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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