Students to work on 'Abbey Road'
DuPont Manual classes to assist Beatles festival
by Jeffrey Lee Puckett
The Courier-Journal

The Beatles are one of the rare rock 'n' roll bands that appeal equally to young and old.

It was true in the 1960s, and it's more true now as longtime fans pass on their love for the Fab Four to their children.

Organizers of the courier-journal.com Abbey Road on the River music festival are looking to solidify that connection by staging this year's festival on Memorial Day weekend with the help of students from duPont Manual High School.

The festival will use students from teacher Marti Johnston's business management program, with help from several other programs, to work on marketing, ad design, environmental concerns and ticket sales.

The program was detailed at a press conference at the high school announcing the May 22-26 festival, which celebrates what many still consider history's finest rock band. Not coincidentally, yesterday was the 44th anniversary of The Beatles' first visit to America.

"This will give the students a real-world experience, make them think outside the box and take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in a real business sense," Johnston said.

Festival producer Gary Jacob first discussed the project with Manual assistant principal Larry Wooldridge, whose band, The Dropouts, performed at last year's festival.

Jacob and Manual's faculty have worked for several months on the program, which will give business students a semester credit and utilize students from other programs.

Visual arts students, for example, have been designing posters, one of which will be selected as the festival's official poster. Students from Manual's Youth Performing Arts School will help manage stages at the festival, and the technology department is designing a Web site for ticket sales.

Twenty-five percent of the advance sales students generate will be donated to the high school.

"I think it's going to be good for us, as far as experience and learning," said junior Josh Hardesty, 17. "I like the planning of all the events, the press and media aspects, and also seeing the final event come about, of course."

In another nod to The Beatles' youth appeal, anyone 21 or younger can attend free when accompanied by a paid attendee.

"One of the things we want to do is pass along the love of this music to others so that it can carry on," Jacob said. "This is a great festival town, and The Beatles' music will last forever, so let's keep the festival going forever."

The festival, held at the Belvedere Festival Park and the Galt House Hotel, is in its fourth year. It draws fans from around the world, generating around $3 million in revenue, according to the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau. It stars more than 50 Beatles tribute bands spread across 10 stages.

The Pete Best Band features the group's original drummer, who was replaced by Ringo Starr for reasons never explained. Best, who worked as a civil servant for 40 years, leads his group through a set that draws on material The Beatles played in their early years, pre-Beatlemania.

This will be Best's first appearance at Abbey Road on the River. Another newcomer is Terry Sylvester, former singer for The Hollies, who will be performing both Hollies and Beatles music.

There will be two major productions exclusive to the festival. One is a reprise of last year's live re-creation of the soundtrack to Cirque du Soleil's "LOVE" and the other is a 40th anniversary tribute to "The Beatles," better known as "The White Album." More than 30 musicians will re-create the classic double-album.

"We decided that we'll do 'LOVE' twice and 'The White Album' only once because it's just too much," Jacob said.

Jacob is offering more non-Beatles music than ever before but isn't cutting back on The Beatles. A new music stage will feature local bands such as Digby and Anton Mink along with some regional acts still to be determined. A show dedicated to great harmony groups will feature music of the Everly Brothers, The Mamas and Papas and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Tickets are available now at www.abbeyroadontheriver.com for $69.99 for a one-day pass to $179.99 for five days. Prices will go up after Feb. 10.

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