Wednesday, July 1, 2009 9:38 PM CDT
Hello Dave founder returns
to Charleston for the Fourth
By ROB STROUD, Staff Writer
rstroud@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — When Hello Dave takes the stage Friday night at Red, White & Blue Days, it will be a homecoming for Mike Himebaugh, founder and lead singer.
Himebaugh, who grew up in Michigan, formed this band while attending Eastern Illinois University in the late 1980s-early 1990s. He said some of his first shows were at Marty’s, Mother’s, and the former Ted’s Warehouse.
“I spent several years down there and loved it,” Himebaugh said. “I thought it was a great little town. That was where I first picked up a guitar.”
The Web site www.hellodave.com reports that Himebaugh had been set on becoming a veterinarian but this changed after he picked up an old acoustic guitar he found in the garage one day and taught himself to play. He decided “being in a rock ‘n’ roll band was way better than veterinary school.”
Hello Dave is scheduled to perform at 6:30 Friday on the outdoor stage at Morton Park prior to the 8 p.m. concert by country star Heidi Newfield. Entry is free. Hello Dave will be represented during the show by Himebaugh and guitar player Marty Williamson of Effingham.
Himebaugh said several years have passed since he last performed in Charleston and he is looking forward to checking out some of his old haunts.
“I hope to get there a little bit early (Friday) and take a drive around the campus town and drive downtown a little bit,” Himebaugh said.
Since forming Hello Dave, Himebaugh has played throughout the Midwest and beyond, including performing for U.S. troops in Iraq and at other points overseas.
Recently, Hello Dave was added to the Hard Rock Cafe’s preshows for country star Kenny Chesney’s Sun City Carnival Tour. The band has toured with and opened for Big & Rich, Little Big Town, Blues Traveler, The Doobie Brothers, and many other acts.
Himebaugh, who has resided in Chicago for the last 17 years, said Hello Dave has been regularly paired up with both country and rock acts. He said the band has a crafted a unique rock’n’roll/southern rock sound that they have dubbed “Chicago Twang,” also the name of their upcoming new album.
The singer said he is looking forward to bringing their sound and songs to the outdoor stage at Morton Park.
“I really think our music tends to sound even better outside. It feels good,” said Himebaugh, adding he likes for his audience to be laughing and having a good time. “By the end of the night I like to make sure people have a big old smile on their faces.”
Contact Rob Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 238-6861.
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FinsUP! wrote on Jul 2, 2009 7:59 PM: