HUMBOLDT — The Portland Alley Pedalfest might be for bicyclists but music lovers also have something to look forward to. IOLA native Scott Evans, no relation to Joe, will be playing with the event’s headliner Pompous Jack. OTHER musicians scheduled to perform are Tate McCoy, Eureka, who will go on at 5 p.m. and play Red Dirt music.
The Portland Alley Pedalfest is a bike and music event on Sept. 12 hosted in Iola and sponsored by Thrive Allen County. The bike festival will promote local bike trails and group rides are available for particpants.
Area musicians will play at the event starting at 5 p.m. in Riverside Park in Iola.
Musician Joe Evans, Humboldt, will play an acoustic set of his own music and a few covers.
Evans started out singing in bands when he was in his early 20s and later learned to play guitar.
For years he played in a local band, Lowwater, which has since disbanded. Members included his dad, Joe Sr., Dillon Boren and Tate McCoy.
“We decided to break up because life was catching up to us,” Evans said. “Music is a hobby and a passion of mine. When I was younger I always put music before a lot of things, even relationships, but now it’s going the other way.”
Evans is a supervisor at B&W Trailer Hitches.
Evans spends his free time writing music and playing solo gigs. His musical influences come from all types of music genres.
“In high school I listened to metal and heavy rock but in college I started listening to Pearl Jam and then Bob Dylan, some bluegrass and traditional country,” he said.
He and his wife, JoAnn, enjoy biking as a hobby and she plans to participate in Pedalfest. She rides at least 20 miles a day. Recently they rode their bikes from Humboldt to Ottawa.
“I think this event is going to be great for the area,” Evans said.
Evans is scheduled to perform from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
“I’m filling in for the bass player because he had a schedule conflict,” Scott said. “I’m really excited to come home and play.”
Scott, who currently lives in Kansas City, is a 1987 graduate of Iola High School.
“I’ve played at a class reunion and done a few shows around town in the past,” he said.
Pompous Jack covers famous rock bands from the 1980s, like Poison and AC/DC. Scott said the band is the brainchild of lead singer Dan Leap.
“These are really great guys and Dan books a lot of the shows and writes some original music,” he said.
Evans said he is looking forward to hearing other musicians at the event.
“It is great to support local, live music and it will be fun to catch the other bands,” he said. “It’s always a good time to come back home and see familiar faces in the crowd.”
Pompous Jack will go on at 10 p.m. to midnight.
Jim Harris, St. Paul, will play eclectic folk and go on from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Doug Toon, Chanute, will play 1970s favorites from 8:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Inaugural Pedalfest to combine cycling, music
