Starkville, MS restaurants and entertainment Attack of the Tribute Bands

Written by Troy DeRego

Thursday, 09 July 2009 12:00

July 9 - Dave Matthews Tribute Band

As a musician who has silenced week night crowds at music clubs pouring my heart out with original tunes that probably never should have left the confines of my bedroom where they were written, I have been know to roll my eyes at the mention of "tribute bands" hogging the biggest stages, pulling in big crowds, making big bucks, living like rock stars, if only for a few hours a night. The truth is, I believe everyone has a band that they dream of being in. You know you let loose when you're in your car alone. Imagine making that into your job!

Keep reading for more clips...

So, what exactly is the difference between a "tribute band" and an impersonator? Maybe this will help...

Michael Patrick's Ring of Fire Band has performed a rousing tribute to Johnny Cash for the past couple of years at the Flower Pickin' Festival here in Starkville...

... and this guy (the one next to Flower Pickin' Festival director Robbie Ward) is an impersonator. Can you spot the difference? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that no one asked the impersonator to sing, they just wanted to get a snapshot with him.

The bottom line is, the best tribute bands are simply rabid fans of music and have learned all the moves of their idols. I would love to be The (fake) Edge. The only thing stopping me is that I would be insanely jealous of the guy who got to be (fake) Bono. Anyway, we can all live out our (fake) rock-n-roll fantasies this summer at The State Theatre as the greatest (fake) bands of all time will be taking the stage for Tribute Thursday!

A few months back, I saw Frontiers: The Ultimate Journey Tribute. It was fun. The place was packed. Everyone was singing along. If anyone still carried lighters, they would have been held high. Check out the selection below. I bet there is at least one that you will not be able to resist, or at least are morbidly curious about. Check out the clips below, load the Bic Lighter app on your iPhone, and I will see you in the front row.