GREENFIELD — Rob Graham’s interest in music started while playing the video game Rock Band with his family for hours and hours in front of the television. While he played the drums and sang, his wife Julia Pedigo played the bass and son Eryx bounced around between instruments.
“We spent so much time playing,” Graham said, “I thought the transition to playing real instruments couldn’t be that much of a stretch.”
Fast forward through six years of drum lessons for Eryx, bass guitar lessons for Pedigo and guitar lessons for Graham at the Greenfield Music Center, and the trio is about to make their rock and roll debut.
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryAt 2 p.m. Sunday, Graham, his wife and son — playing together as the band Three Seconds to Greenfield — will perform as part of the Institute of Rock Grand Finale performance at the Indiana National Guard Armory, 410 Apple St.
The Institute of Rock, a 12-week program offering a rock and roll experience to its attendees, is the brainchild of musician Scott Stackhouse and his business partner Cheryl Jacques. The two developed the idea after returning from the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas. Stackhouse and Jacques spent four days chasing their own rock star dreams, came home $5,000 poorer and were convinced they could create a better experience on the local level for budding rock stars.
Once back in Indiana, Stackhouse called on his friend and fellow band mate, Don Stuck — famous for his on-air work on the Bob and Tom Show on radio station Q-95. Stuck supported the idea, along with Tony Seller, owner of the Greenfield Music Center. Seller had tried the idea of a rock and roll camp years earlier, but found he didn’t have the time to run it. Still, he was on board.
“He (Seller) said, ‘Take the reins and run it for me, and you can use my facility,’” Stackhouse said.
In January, 13 campers, age 11 to 55 enrolled in the inaugural 12-week Institute of Rock. The campers were divided into four bands — Three Seconds to Greenfield, Nebula, 21 Jigawatts and Blind Alley — made up of a guitar player, a bass player, a drummer and a vocalist.
Each weekly Sunday meeting begins with a group discussion. Topics cover a range of music business concerns including the logistics of being in a band, working up a set list, preparing for rehearsals, how to book gigs and the finer points of dealing with club owners.
After the meeting, the bands get a chance to rehearse. Stuck is there each Sunday, and he and Stackhouse mentor the musicians and critique their rehearsals.
“You take lessons at a music store,” said Stackhouse, “but how often do you get an opportunity to get together with other people and actually play?”
Pedigo admits she was reluctant at first. In fact, her husband signed them all up for the institute without checking with her first. But then she saw how much he wanted to be a part of a band, so she agreed. It was also a way for parents to spend time with a very busy son. Eryx, a freshman at Greenfield-Central High School, is part of the marching band, the jazz band and the indoor percussion program.
Pedigo hopes her nerves won’t get the best of her during the performance, but conceded that she chose to play the bass for a reason.
“The bass is kind of buried in the back of the band,” Pedigo said. “Bassists are quietly cool.”
Advanced sale tickets for the concert can be purchased at Greenfield Music Center, 1215 E. Main St. or for $12.50 at the door.
Pedigo has enjoyed her time as a member of a rock band, but doesn’t see many more performances in the future. But for now she’s living the dream.
“I will be checking this off my bucket list,” she said.
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Institute of Rock Grand Finale Performance
When: April 8 2 to 6 p.m.
Where: Indiana National Guard Armory, 410 Apple St.
Bands Featured: 21 Jigawatts, Blind Alley, Nebula, Three Seconds to Greenfield
Tickets: $10 tickets available at the Greenfield Music Center, 1215 E. Main St.
Tickets $12.50 at the door
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