Blues is the word when Microwave Dave & The Nukes jukes it at gazebo
Members of Microwave Dave & The Nukes are, from left, James Irvin, Rick Godfrey and Dave Gallaher. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – Almost everyone living in North Alabama knows about Microwave Dave & The Nukes. On June 12, the trio will uphold their reputation to boogie the blues at the Madison Gazebo Concert at 6:30 p.m.
“Blues is America’s first and still best self-help program,” Microwave Dave (sometimes answering to Dave Gallaher) said.
Laura Pope, who has coordinated the gazebo concerts for four years, said her most memorable concert was the first year that Microwave Dave played in Madison.
“The weather was really stormy, and Dave and I made the decision to go ahead. The weather broke and was beautiful. The crowd was great,” Pope said.
Pope believes the concerts represent the Madison community with the family-friendly setup that offers free admission, children’s play activities and food-truck staples. “Babies to 80-year-olds attend the gazebo concerts. They all have a good time,” Pope said.
Microwave Dave & the Nukes organized in 1989. In their early days, the group played shows as back-up band for Jerry ‘Boogie’ McCain and Bo Diddley. (microwavedave.com)
In 1991, Microwave Dave & the Nukes produced “Gotta Get a Cadillac” as a cassette release. Fast forward 20 years and the band has released nine albums, including the most recent offerings, “Down South Nukin'” and “American Peasant.”
The Huntsville-based band has performed at French soccer stadiums, Bike Week in Daytona Beach, blues cruises on the Big Red Boat and blues festivals across the United States and in Europe.
The stylized music of Microwave Dave & The Nukes led to their receiving the “Blues Achievement Award” in 2001 from the Alabama Blues Society.
Throughout their career, Microwave Dave & the Nukes have paid sincere homage to the classic blues genre, while peppering their work with their own swaggy style.
Madison Arts Council sponsors the gazebo concerts.
For more information about the Madison Gazebo Concert series, call 256-527-7802, email to lhp925@knology.net or visit artsmadison.org.
