ROCK MUSIC Group has Youngstown flavor

Creative freedom matters more to this band than money does.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Who hasn't heard of Columbus band Red Wanting Blue?
If you've paid even the slightest amount of attention to the Mahoning Valley club scene over the past decade, the name Red Wanting Blue has been a constant. In fact, lead singer Scott Terry admits that fans often confuse the Ohio University/Athens-formed band as being from Youngstown.
"It's one of my favorite places in the state of Ohio because I grew up in New Jersey, and Youngstown is the only place that reminds me of home," Terry said. "There were shows we played at the Varsity Club where there were always huge fights down the street at Smokey Joe's. Cops would be all over, and it was scary."
He added, "At one point, the stage used to be in front of the windows, and someone shattered this humongous window, and glass flew all over the place, and we still played. We didn't even stop, and it was pretty crazy. I've always loved that town."
Apparently it was the reciprocation of such love that forced an overzealous fan, who had been kicked out of the Varsity Club, to attempt to get back into the sold-out show through the front window.
Long road
Such persistence, sans the violence and destruction of property, in many ways encapsulates the long road Red Wanting Blue has taken over the past 10 years. Not only has the band released six studio albums, but it's become a touring entity with high-profile opening gigs for the likes of 10,000 Maniacs, Wyclef Jean, N.E.R.D. and Robert Randolph.
What has been missing is that major label deal that could propel the band from Buckeye State favorite to national recording artist. Terry points out Red Wanting Blue has done the showcase route with performances in Los Angeles and New York and has been approached by the big labels, but he counts the fact the band has yet to sign on a dotted line as a blessing.
For so many groups, getting that big deal is perceived to be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow but ultimately becomes the beginning of the end.
Terry said Red Wanting Blue has shifted its thinking away from the possibility of dollar signs and celebrity status, instead concentrating on the simple but personally rewarding joy of playing music for a living.
"We've always felt that the greatest gift we've gotten from this band is being able to tour around this country for years and see our country through the eyes of a rock 'n' roll band," Terry said. "It's a whole other world, other mess, when you get into labels. I would say that's not the pot of gold."
That's not to say the band wouldn't ever take it to the next level, but creative freedom, not a signing bonus, would be the deciding factor. So for now, Red Wanting Blue continues the touring grind with as many live dates as the calendar will allow. More importantly, its fan base has remained loyal throughout the years.
"When we first started, I think a lot of people enjoyed the band because they knew it was going to be probably something exciting," Terry said.
"I love the fact that over these years, we've got a much more listening audience. It used to be they were coming because they thought the show would be an event, and now they're coming because they are interested in the music."