JED Eye’s sights on gazebo

JED Eye will perform at the Madison Gazebo Concert on July 23 at 6:30 p.m. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – JED Eye has set its sights on the Madison Gazebo for some homegrown rock ‘n’ roll in its concert on July 23.

Lead singer Jeff Hemphill organized JED Eye after he returned home from deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. After being on hiatus due to professional obligations, Hemphill was ready to return to the music scene.

To recruit band members, Hemphill used Craigslist to advertise and also consulted friends. Originally, the band played as an acoustic, four-piece group. After several months, Hemphill decided it was time to branch out to rock.  Hemphill now lives in Tucson, Ariz. but his persona lives on with the band.

The band’s current members are lead singer Todd Blass, rhythm guitarist and vocalist Lisa Williams, lead guitarist Todd Aure, bassist and vocalist Steve Sylvester and drummer Kevin Wills. The band’s name incorporates the initials from the first names of founding members (JED) and a tribute to a former lead guitarist who is blind (Eye).

Rock is JED Eye’s forte, and they play a variety of styles from the genre. Some of their cover songs originated with Creedence Clearwater Revival, ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down and Stone Temple Pilots.

Their musical influences include Tom Petty, Bad Company, Sister Hazel, Daughtry, Matchbox 20, Johnny Cash, Metallica, Bad Religion, Pearl Jam and Green Day.

Madison Arts Council (MAC) sponsors the free concerts on Thursdays during summer months at the Madison Gazebo from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the Village Green in Madison’s downtown historic district. Local organizations and businesses offer a fun activity for children during the concerts.

For more information about JED Eye, email to prsgirl11@gmail.com or visit Facebook/JED Eye. For information about MAC, visit artsmadison.org.