By Tina Kitt

The Wauneta Breeze

Get ready to put on your dancing shoes southwest Nebraska — Slingshot is coming to town.

The popular eastern Nebraska band, Slingshot, based in Hastings, will bring their mix of Top 40 Country and Classic Rock hits to Wauneta for the town’s annual Harvest Festival dance, coming up Saturday, July 25, at the Wauneta Legion Hall. The band will rock the house from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. MT. 

To get a preview of what’s instore, check out some of their online performance footage over the Web at: http://www.youtube.com/user/slingshotnebraska.

Band biography

When Slingshot was formed in March of 2006 the band set out with one goal in mind: to play music that everyone could enjoy dancing to or just listening to. The thought of being a variety band sounded like the best route to go. 

With a mix of Top 40 Country, Classic Country and some Traditional Classic Rock and Roll, Slingshot came up with a mix that everyone can enjoy.

The band is fronted by lead vocalist, Jana Thompson, from Grand Island. Her wide range and warmth sets her apart from many female singers. 

The band’s newest member, Gordie Will, from Hastings, is truly a gifted keyboardist and singer. Doing both lead and harmony vocals, Gordie’s wide vocal range along with his Hammond adds just the right rock styles to Slingshot.

The lead guitar spot is held by the very talented Jared Bader from Lincoln. Jared is a music major at UNL. His ability to mix jazz, blues and country together makes him one of the top pickers in Nebraska. Holding down the bass section is a newcomer to Slingshot, Cody Hansen, from Hastings. Cody has been playing bass for 10 years and adds a unique style and sound to the band. 

Honky-tonk rhythm guitarist, Kent Chelewski, is out of Lincoln but originally from Dannebrog. He’s a camoflauge cowboy through and through, and a great addition to Slingshot.

Last but not least comes the old timer of Slingshot, John Garman, from Hastings. One of the founders of Slingshot, he has been playing drums for over 40 years. Garman’s energy and unique style of playing along with his ability to get the crowd going, added with the pure vocals, hard-driving bass and mind-boggling guitar lics makes Slingshot one of Nebraska’s favorite home-grown bands.