RMS Trio playing Ellwood stage
ELLWOOD CITY ― RMS trio is returning to the Ellwood City Community Plaza Wednesday as part of Wander Ellwood when Lawrence Avenue comes alive.
It is the place to be with at least 60 vendors including food trucks, breweries and wineries, and the open container ban is listed. It’s a time to enjoy food and entertainment with family and friends.
Folks can stroll around and visit crafts and arts vendors where they can find everything from clothing to jewelry and they can go to the plaza where the RMS trio, a group of friends, is playing for the joy of entertaining.
The R in RMS is Ray Wimple, originally from Texas but has lived in the Ellwood City area since 1985. Wimple plays guitar, mandolin and harmonica and sings; the M is for Mike Nocera of Ellport, who plays bass and sings; the S is for Shelly Reiser of Ellwood City, who sings and plays percussion instruments including the Django drums and tambourine.
Reiser said they play an eclectic mix of music, oldies, blues, pop, country and classic rock.
"We just do this for fun. We do it because we enjoy doing it. We play what we believe the audience will identify with and enjoy. We read the audience to see what they are enjoying the most," she said.
The group agrees they like playing in the community plaza, but only if it doesn't rain, referring to their 2022 appearance with Generation II at the fall festival when they played during a steady rain.
"We were under a tarp but most had umbrellas and they just sat there in the rain and enjoyed the show," Wimple recalled. "That's a great crowd, a great audience. I was so impressed with that audience. Good that it didn't rain all night."
"It is a great place to play because of the people who turn out. It is outdoors, casual with friends and it is community-oriented," Reiser said.
RMS was formed in 2005, but the trio had been playing together in a five-piece band, Generation II, and still play with the band. Generation II made the CD "PeWee’s Song" written by Ricky Venezie, which sold more than 1,500 copies. The song commemorates the iconic hot dog shop on Lawrence Avenue that closed some years ago. Currently, it is Katy's Homestyle Bakery & More.
What: RMS
Where: Ellwood City Community Plaza
When: 5:30 p.m. July 19
Admission: Free. Remember to bring a chair.
A comfort station is available. Handicapped parking is available. Beaver Avenue is blocked off but it is available for parking.
The concert series is hosted by Ellwood City Community Enrichment and supported by corporate, business and individual donations. The series is made possible by many volunteers and generous sponsorships.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: RMS Trio performing Wednesday on Ellwood City Community Stage
