The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Guitar Wars concert at Legion fest Saturday
Legionfest 2: Oneida Legion to feature Guitar Wars concert Saturday
Longtime guitarist extraordinaire Roy Coston knows there is nothing quite like performing live on stage.
That’s why he has invited guitar students from his Madison-Oneida BOCES, Tri-Valley YMCA, and private lessons to come out and share their own chops during his second annual Guitar Wars concert this Satur- day. Their performance is part of the free and open to the public Legionfest 2 at the Oneida American Legion Post 169, and gives those fledgling rockers their own chance in the spotlight.
“This is all about the students,” he said while rehearsing the massive group of six-stringers Tuesday at the Legion. “Last year I played with them … this year I am letting them do it all.”
His guitarestra will perform classics like “Crazy Train” and “Freebird.” Coston said he will take axe in hand for one special portion of the festivities, as he challenges his own protégée Zach Lynch of Oneida to a guitar duel of their own. Headlining Legionfest 2 are the Rochester-based original rock band Wicked, which features Roy’s son Gunnar Coston on drums.
Coston stressed that he and all of the musicians are volunteers, so profits raised that evening through sales at the bar will go straight to the Legion‘s outreach to area vets.
“This is all for the veterans,” Coston said. “We aren’t getting paid to do this. We are here to support the Legion.”
Legionfest 2 is Saturday, Aug. 12 kicking off at 6 p.m. Admission is free, although non-Legion members should sign the guest book. The Oneida American Legion Post 169 is located at 398 N. Main St., across from the Gorman Northside Plaza, where there is ample parking available.