Goose Creek Symphony: Bands Joins a Host of Others for Song of the Mountain Festival

From the now here’s something different category come Goose Creek Symphony.

No symphony per se. They are instead a symphony of sounds drawn from many a well of music.

Goose Creek Symphony will appear on the opening day of the 2nd Annual Song of the Mountains Festival, which runs June 26-28 at Davis Valley Winery in Groseclose, Va. They spice an impressive bill that includes bluegrass superstar Rhonda Vincent and legends Jesse McReynolds and Larry Sparks.

But none of those acts come close to sounding like Goose Creek Symphony. No band sounds like them, said co-founding member Bob “Wild Willard” Henke.
“We’re based on old Appalachian music for the most part,” Henke said by phone Monday from Nashville, Tenn. “We each bring our own style to the music.”
Henke said he grew up on standards a la Frank Sinatra but gravitated to rock’s Rolling Stones and the Beatles.
Lead singer and guitarist Charles Gearheart grew up in the Goose Creek community of Floyd County, Ky. He named the band and brought the sounds of the mountains to the band.

Paul Spradlin chimed in with his rhythm and blues influences.

Oh yes, Goose Creek Symphony was and is indeed left of center.

“I call it progressive country, acid, folk, surf-rock music,” Henke said. “It’s got a lot of different styles to it.”

Formed in 1968 in Phoenix, Ariz., Goose Creek Symphony came of age when Top 40 radio featured playlists with Johnny Cash, along with Jimi Hendrix, Dean Martin, the Monkees and Aretha Franklin. But Top 40 did not include Goose Creek Symphony.

“I think we were too different,” Henke said. “We weren’t really commercial, and we knew that. However, we had the hit in the south with Janis Joplin’s ‘Mercedes Benz.’ ”

Signed to Capitol Records, Goose Creek Symphony released its first album in 1970. A tour with Bobbie Gentry ensued, along with a high profile appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” which was the top-rated television variety program of the era.

“I was 19, and one of my dreams had come true,” Henke said. “I was standing where Paul McCartney stood! Ed took me by the arm and said, ‘Really fine job, boys.’ I was speechless.”

Tours with such acts as Alice Cooper followed. But as the 1970s wore on, Goose Creek Symphony slowed. Life intervened.
“We all wanted to raise our families,” Henke said. “We figured it was time for a break.”

That was 1975. Henke worked six-year stints with Dr. Hook and then with Glen Campbell. Goose Creek Symphony resumed in 1990 and has thus continued.
“This is our 40th year,” Henke said. “Man, I can’t believe it.”

Visit the Song of the Mountains Festival and hear Goose Creek Symphony. Sit there all weekend and hear each act. None will sound like the Goose Creek Symphony.

“I’ve never heard another band that sounds like us,” Henke said. “This is our own kind of music.”

IF YOU GO
What: 2nd Annual Song of the Mountains Festival
When: June 26-28
Where: Davis Valley Winery, 1167 Davis Valley Road, Rural Retreat, Va.
Tickets: $20-$25; $55 for a three-day pass; children ages 12 and under admitted free with a paying adult
Info: (276) 645-0035 and (276) 686-8855
Web: http://www.goosecreeksymphony.com
And: http://www.songofthemountains.org/festival

SCHEDULE
—June 26, 3 p.m.: Mac Puckett & the Good Company Band, Pine Mountain Railroad, Lou Reid & Carolina, Larry Sparks and Goose Creek Symphony
—June 27, 1 p.m.: Appalachian Trail, The Larkins, Fescue, Michael Reno Harrell and Rhonda Vincent
—June 28, 1 p.m.: Big Country Bluegrass, No Speed Limit, Jeanette Williams Band, Nothin’ Fancy, Jesse McReynolds & the Virginia Boys and Special Ed & Shortbus

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .