2019 ELGT Festival Press Release

ELGT is gearing up once again for the 6th Annual East Liverpool’s Got Talent Music & Arts Appreciation Festival in Thompson Park on August 17-18, featuring about 30 musical acts, as well as food, crafts and business vendors. Vendors are still welcome to sign up by contacting Trista Slator at Tri.stste.vendor.craft.shows@gmail.com.

Both days of the event will run from 11am through 11pm with a variety of musical styles offered each day. This year’s event includes many of our very talented local musicians, some that are new to the stage, such as Keith Williams, Doug Smith, Dave Byers, Zach Byers, John and Charlotte Drimby, John Vinci, Amy Hissom, Frank Vierra, Michael Hawthorne, Sharyn Vinci, John Edwards, Kent Cox, Plan B, Chelsea Matta Householder, Fred Ludovici, the Seitz Brothers, Charlie and the Lefties, Layne Smith, Destiny Hall, Jenne, Jordan McLaughlin, Don Nuzum, Mz July, Garrett Railing, Stillwater and a new group called Just Happened. This year’s featured newcomers to the Thompson park Stage include:

Jon Minor who is a dynamic vocalist and also a slick singer/songwriter residing in Beaver Falls, Pa. Recently he fronted the variety band BluSoul and currently The Flexx out of Beaver County, Pa. With influences such as Stevie Wonder, Boys 2 Men, John Mayer and numerous artists of similar style, audiences are assured to hear something they can appreciate. Currently travelling the country performing original tunes as well as powerful soul tunes from the 70’s, Jon Minor is a show stopper wherever he goes.

Grace Affeltranger who is a Pittsburgh native keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter/composer, and bandleader. Grace graduated from Loyola University Chicago having studied under Blue Note artist, Anthony Molinaro, accomplished bassist/composer Matt Ulery, and highly esteemed vocalist/conductor Kirsten Hedegaard. Upon graduation, Grace relocated to Nashville, TN where she performed daily on downtown Broadway fronting the Lower Broadway Band while also starting up The Affeltranger Music Company. Finally relocating back to Pittsburgh, Grace currently is involved in multiple musical projects, recording an album, and building her the business now offering show production, booking/promotions, and group/private lessons.

Marla Sgro who comes from a huge musically well-known family that includes her father who was an accordion player and her uncles, known as the Sgro Brothers who became world famous harmonica players in the 1950s and have performed for people such as George W. Bush in 2005, Catskill Mountains at the Villa Rosa, and all over. Marla writes songs for streaming or commercial purposes. She has 20 years of experience doing studio recording for commercial jingles and national spots. Marla studied music all of her life and eventually went to open up for Sir Elton John, John Cougar Mellancamp and Rod Stewart. In 2001 and sang with the 70s band, Wild Cherry (“Play That Funky Music”). Marla also sang for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000 on two occasions and in 2001 sang with the 70s band, Wild Cherry (“Play That Funky Music”). She has sung in commercials for the Ohio Valley for 20 years and performed a theme song for Nickolodeon TV once.

The “Granati Brothers” are independent artists whose classic rock music and rich harmonies have been compared to the Beatles, Jellyfish, Queen, and Supertramp. The G Brothers are veteran performers who rocked the nation at 78 sold out concerts with Van Halen in the 80s. David Granati’s soaring melodic riffs earned him a nomination for player of the year by Guitar Player Magazine in 1981. Their recordings on A&M Records include “G-Force” (1979) and “Propaganda” (1979). They have also performed or recorded with Bruce Springsteen, J. Geils, Ian Hunter, the Doobie Brothers, Sammy Haggar, Nazareth, Heart, Peter Frampton, Boston, Blue Oyser Cult, Def Leppard, Black Foot, Molley Hatchet, Head East, Southside Johnny, the Fabulous Poodles, Gentle Giant, Dionne Warwick, Donny Iris and more. The band signed with Atlantic Records in 1986 and recorded an album called “Enter”. Billedas “The Granati Bros.” or “G-Force”, the band headlined thousands of shows at colleges, showcase clubs, and theatres in the 1980’s through the mid 1990’s. The band re-united in 2002-2003 to record G” -“The Continuing Adventures of the Granati Brothers”

The “For Those About To Rock Academy,” located at David Granati’s Maplewood Studio in Ambridge, PA, provides an opportunity for students 8-88 to learn how to rock, have a sense of community, and apply what they have learned in real life performance situations. The academy strives to bring out the best of their students, musically and individually as people. The academy instructors, David Granati, Joey Granati (currently on hiatus), and Cathy Witters-Stewart, use their skills learned as performers and in life to help their students make smart choices in the music industry AND in life. The instructors strive to build character, confidence, self esteem, friendships, collaboration, and accomplishment.

ELGT 2019 Schedule

SATURDAY, August 17, 2019
11:30 – 11:45 Layne Smith
11:45 – 12;00 Destiny Hall
12:00 – 12:30 Jenne
12:30 – 1:00 Doug English
1:00 – 1:30 Frank Vierra
1:30 -2:30 Charlie and the Lefties
2:30 – 3:00 Chelsea Matta
3:00 – 3:30 Jordan McLaughlin
3:30 – 4:00 Zach Byers
4:00 – 4:30 Dave Byers
4:30 – 5:30 Just Happened
5:30 – 6:00 Kent Cox
6:00 – 6:30 Grace Alfeltranger
6:30- 7:30 Keith Williams & Doug Smith
7:30 – 8:00 Don Nuzum
8:00 – 8:30 Jon Minor
8:30 – 9:00 Marla Sgro
9:00 – 9:30 John Edwards
9:30 – Close Plan B

SUNDAY, August 18, 2019
11:00 -11:30 Jami Green (Mz July)
11:45 -12:15 Garrett Railing
12:30 – 1:00 Michael Hawthorne
1:15 – 1:45 Sharyn Vinci
2:00 – 3:00 Stillwater
3:15 – 4:15 Seitz Brothers
4:30 – 5:30 Granati School of Rock
5:45 – 6:45 ?
7:00 – 7:45 Fred Ludovici
8:00 – Close Granati Brothers