MITCHELL – The Mitchell Opera House will feature the Justin Case Band on June 24th at 7 p.m. This will be the band’s first time performing on the historic stage.
The Justin Case Band is not just a band, it’s a family. Thirty-five years ago, brother and sister David and Rhonda Welch, along with friends Jerry Minger and Don Campbell, gathered in Dave and Rhonda’s mother’s living room and practiced their first song, “Ooh, Baby, Baby” by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. Within a brief time that afternoon, they had created a long list of songs for a quality entertaining performance. They played together until 2017 when Dave took a much-deserved break and Jerry’s nephew Travis Leake, who had watched the band for years, was welcomed into the group.
Rhonda plays keyboards, Don plays bass guitar, Jerry plays guitar and banjo, and Travis plays drums. Rhonda, Don, and Jerry each provide lead and harmony vocals on songs from the past and present.
Rhonda and Jerry met in the late 1980s playing in different bands including backing up Bobby Helms of “Jingle Bell Rock” fame. Don, who had played for The Pastels before Justin Case, had a friendship with Jerry dating back to elementary school in Milan, Indiana (the location of the famous movie Hoosiers).
Travis previously played for Paradox and was invited by Dave to sit in on drums for Justin Case on numerous occasions, so when Dave took a break, Travis (who is Jerry’s nephew) was welcomed into the band family.
Justin Case has played many different venues including clubs, private parties, wedding receptions, and festivals. With all those years together, they have learned numerous songs covering a broad range of genres from classic country and rock to blues and bluegrass. As a result, they frequently are open to taking requests to play a variety of tunes, from “Me and Bobby McGee” to “Wipeout” to “Some Kind of Wonderful” to “Rocky Top”.
One special thing about the Justin Case Band is that they enjoy playing music together, and their audience is drawn into their fun, Come on out and request your favorite song.
Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. Adult tickets are $10 and kids are $5.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased with cash or check at Mitchell ACE, on mitchelloperahouse.com, or at the door the night of the event.
Mitchell Opera House is handicap accessible. All seating is first come, first served.
