Singer won’t be horsing around at Equine Affaire

Candace Campana was a natural choice to sing at this year’s Equine Affaire.

The singer from Struthers is also a horse owner, and she was thrilled when Equine Affaire – a national expo and convention of horsemen – selected her for the honor.

Taking place at the Columbus Expo Center April 11-14, the Affaire is a showcase event that attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year. Campana will sing the National Anthem all three days.

“From what I’ve seen in the past, they do a very well choreographed routine before the Anthem starts, and the vocalist is usually brought out either on horseback or in a carriage,” said Campana. “I have rehearsal the night before it starts, so I’m anxious to see how the choreography will go.”

Campana said she checked into bringing her own horse – Sunny Boy – to ride with the professionals, but decided to keep him home so she could keep her focus on her vocals.

Campana, by the way, will also sing the National Anthem at the Cleveland Indians game May 8.

MOLLIE B, WHO APPEARED IN ‘THE MULE,’ AT THE MILLS

Squeezebox, featuring Mollie B, will return to the Mahoning Valley this weekend for a polka show at Rolling Mills, 1025 State St., Girard.

This also happens to be the same week that Clint Eastwood film “The Mule” was released on DVD.

What’s the connection? Mollie B and Squeezebox appear in a scene in the movie, which stars Eastwood and Bradley Cooper.

Eastwood is a fan of Mollie B and specifically asked for her and her polka band to appear in his movie.

Advance tickets for Saturday’s show at Rolling Mills, are $15. Call Peppermint Records at 330-783-2222 or email info@peppermintrecords.com. Doors open at 2 p.m., with the performance from 3 to 6 p.m.

RECORD STORE DAY WITH WHITE BUFFALO WOMAN

Record Store Day is April 13, and the Record Connection in Niles will celebrate it with dozens and dozens of special vinyl releases and other hoopla, plus a performance by Ohio rockers White Buffalo Woman.

Record Store Day is an annual event that celebrates the roughly 1,400 independently owned record stores in the United States.

Record stores have a unique culture about them, and Jeff Burke’s Record Connection, which is in Pinetree Plaza certainly fits the bill. For more info and a list of special releases, go to recordstoreday.com.

GREG JOHNSON BRINGS THE FUNK TO DOWNTOWN

Greg Johnson of Youngstown’s Total Package Band (and a DJ as well), is also a prolific video maker.

His latest is “Downtown Funk,” which was shot in downtown Youngstown. Like all of Johnson’s videos, it’s set to a song he wrote.

“Downtown Funk” has a Bruno Mars vibe to it. It also might cause you to shout out “Horns!” at the most inappropriate moments.

To watch it, search for downtown funk gregory johnson youtube.

Guy D’Astolfo covers entertainment for The Vindicator. Follow him on Twitter at @VindyVibe.