Count The Years Bring Musical Joy to Bands On The Beach

What a gorgeous night it was when D-Lady and I ventured to Bands On The Beach, presented by Cat Country 98.7, on Pensacola's Casino Beach entertainment stage. We arrived a full hour and a half before showtime to enjoy a pre evening stroll on our most famous of local beaches. A red flag day, though surfers were taking tasty waves from the gulf to the beach. People were out enjoying the weather, walking in the short waves and catching the last of the Pensacola sunsets golden rays. As the crowd rolled in, taking their places and spaces. Count The Years prepared for their debut on the Bands On The Beach stage.

We put our chairs and cooler in place, I removed the gimble from its bag and attached my iPhone. While more people filed in, I took the opportunity to go say hello to the band as they were completing set up and sound check. Though I hadn't had the opportunity to see Count The Years, I already knew Cody Fortag, the drummer, for some years now.

The show began with CTY's offering of "Jump" by none other than Van Halen. The musicality and showmanship these 5 men portray is most entertaining. Each band member connected with the audience in their own unique fashion, even Cody, way back there in the back!

After a smooth segway into "Message in a Bottle" by The Police, the crowd had nearly filled the dance floor and pushed closer to the tape barrier surrounding the front stairs up to the stage. I got the feeling Count The Years was about to unleash a barrage of classics on the now dancing audience, and not at all to my surprise, I was correct!

When the band busted out "Power Of Love" by Huey Lewis the audience went nuts! only seconds into the song I clearly heard happy people singing the lyrics in unison. All joined in the chorus as Count The Years suddenly became even more animated than they already displayed!

One of the most impressive aspects of Count The Years is their harmonies. Few bands can bring multiple voices together like these gentlemen can. As a singing drummer, I appreciate a bands ability to sing together, in key, with perfect pitch consistently, however, Count The Years exhibited a level of professionalism unlike the majority of acts performing in and around Pensacola and our surrounding emerald coast. This group of seasoned musicians performed in a manner I'm sure any Vegas, or LA stage would most surely appreciate.

Now...lets meet the band, shall we?

First, allow me to introduce Ash Askew, the lead vocalist, primary front man and leader of Count The Years. Ash is a charismatic entertainer with an outstanding, powerful voice. Ash's range is multi level, he can sing high, or low depending upon the song performed. His stage presence and the way in which he engages the audience proves he's no amateur, or stranger to the music industry. Nosir....this guys obviously been around and the Pensacola Bands On the Beach crowd showed their appreciation with resounding applause! He dresses sharp too, what do you think ladies?

Next, we have Mr. Rich Murphy...(I like his name) on lead guitar. Rich showed his proficiency on the guitar every time he took a lead on any song he played on this beautiful Pensacola beach evening. I was impressed with his riffs, runs and picking. You can certainly tell Rich enjoys the sound coming out of his guitar as exhibited by his nirvana trance like state allowed for perfect precise notes played just as they should be and then some! His contagious smile and stage presence sets him far apart from other lead men, Rich connected intimately with the crowd which only boosted his playing prowess!

On to probably the most versatile musician in Count The Years, Michael Padilla. Talk about talent! Michael plays keys, guitar and sings! His harmonies with Ash are spot on accurate and sounded superb! Michael's ability to switch up instruments mid number is most impressive indeed. His vocals on "Billie Jean" were so reminiscent of the one gloved wonder himself, I seriously had a hard time telling the difference! I can so appreciate a change up man in a good band, adds so much flavor and excitement! Michael certainly did the band, and our beach going audience proud! Well done sir!

May I introduce Mr. Chris Kenny, the bass man for Count The Years and the obvious country influence in the band. Kenny's vocals on "Country Girl" by Luke Bryant reminded me of the days when I played with Nightshift at Moonshine Saloon. "Country Girl" was a staple song played often, however, I was particularly impressed with how Kenny sang it. Its not an easy song to begin with for the vocalist...kinda like Country Rap at times if you've ever listened to it. Kenny not only nailed the lyrics, he did so while keeping the bassline groovin, and in the pocket with his section mate! Nice!

For my last introduction, as anyone who's ever read any of my reviews knows the drummer is always last, it is my pleasure to introduce Cody Fortag, drummer, time keeper and rhythm runner. Cody, is the only member of this outstanding band that I've had the pleasure of knowing for a few years now. I've watched this young man grow into one of the finest, on time, in the pocket drummers in Pensacola!

The most impressive thing I will say about Cody is his dedication to timing, technique and content. Though Cody rarely, if at all sings, his devotion to the integrity of any number he plays is most noteworthy. His performance at Bands On The Beach was nothing less than an example of how a truly professional drummer maintains the structure of his proficiency wherein maintaining the spirit of how a song was written.

I didn't see a lot of flash in Cody's drumming...no lengthy solo's, no drawn out fills lasting well into the next 4 bars, rather, what I did see, and enjoy was how he played each song as if recording in a studio! Spot on metronome locked tempo kept the band moving along allowing for a near studio cut result on every number that energized the Pensacola beach audience. Well done indeed sir, thanks for the drum lesson!

Be sure to catch one of Count The Years shows at a venue near you, you wont be disappointed!

I hope you enjoyed my review of Count The Years as much as I did writing it! Please let me know who you would like me to review next! So, until then, this is your Beatman reminding everyone to....KEEP THE BEAT! CIAO!