The Belairs return to one of their favorite venues

    Joyce Carson has fond memories of hot wax music that has come to town for years.
    “For over 10 years, Pete and Mary Ann Shields, JoAnn and Richard Cordray, Jeff, and I were groupies of Hot Wax who performed many times in Falmouth at the Griffin Center beginning in 1998. They loved it here and always drew a large crowd.”
    According to Carson, the band quit performing, but one member, Mike Volkerding, wanted to keep the show going. His desire to continue the Hot Wax tradition led to the Belairs.
    The Belairs describe themselves on their Facebook page as a “Las Vegas style musical tribute band playing 50s and 60s music throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. They play tributes to Roy Orbison, Dion, Dusty Springfield, Billy Joe Royal, Jackie Wilson, Tom Jones, Lesley Gore, Neil Diamond and many more. The Belairs Show is dedicated to those who can appreciate tunes that moved your feet and lifted your spirits.”
    The atmosphere the Belairs provide is the reason Carson thought of them for POP.
    “In 2020 when PCTC wanted a band to perform as the culminating event for the Pendleton County Palooza, I immediately thought of the Belairs. Jeff and I saw them twice right before COVID hit and were so excited that they would be coming back to Falmouth!
    “Mike (Volkerding) says Falmouth is one of his favorite places to perform. The Griffin Center is such a great outdoor venue, he thinks.”
    The biggest draw, aside from the music, is the authenticity.
    “They have costume changes and they sound like a true Vegas act.”
    Carson’s enthusiasm for the group spills over with her last statement.
    “I’m SO looking forward to them coming on June 19.”
    The Belairs’ show starts at the Griffin Center at 7 p.m. on June 19, closing out the day of POP. Come enjoy a little bit of Vegas in our quiet home of Pendleton County.