By Michael Butler

A variety of bands will be putting on a concert at the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. All are local musicians.

In all, three groups and one soloist with different music genres are set to entertain spectators. For Derek Scott with BEARHEAD, other than playing at Tallassee High School’s homecoming pep rally for his 20th reunion last month, it will be the first time he and bandmembers Ronnie Marler and Justin Turberville have played publicly together in 14 years.

“I didn’t think we’d play again,” said Scott said, who plays drums. “It all started with wanting to record some stuff we’ve never recorded and here we are.”

Scott says that the band has evolved a bit since its beginnings.

“Back when we were originally together, we were kind of trying to find our sound. A lot of our newer stuff is more of a polished mix of heavy and catchy at the same time.”

In a word, Scott defines the music as rock. Split River is more Southern rock. The group was the winner of the Alabama Has Talent contest at the Mount Vernon.

“We got a lot of publicity from that,” said guitarist and singer Jack Butler said. “It was an honor. We really enjoyed that.”

No pun intended, but the band has been split up some of late with members Butler, Cruise Johnson, Donavan Aldridge and Troy Kelly having busy schedules with high school and college.

“We’ve been trying to get back to playing some.” Butler added. “We mix it up. It’s typically Southern rock. We’ve got some 90s grunge. We’ve got some older country, newer country too.”

Bryson Rigsby plays primarily acoustic rock. He says he will be fine being the lone solo act.

“When I first started, I was pretty nervous playing by myself. I don’t get nervous that much anymore.”

Rigsby’s first inspiration in music came from his father.

“(He) would play guitar around the house. I tried and I was like, ‘my fingers hurt.’ About a year ago, I decided to try and pick it up again and thought, this is not as hard as I remember.”

Rigsby also plays regularly with his roommate at Auburn and Split River member Cruise Johnson.

“He kind of pushed me,” Rigsby added. “Around graduation time at the beach, a buddy of mine was playing at this hole in the wall and was like, ‘you want to get on stage and play some?’ Everybody loved it. I got home, bought a bunch of equipment and started playing gigs.”

Pop punk band Hopes on Hold on Hold featuring Tad Davis, Tyler Williams, Josh Smith and Jordan Cunningham will also play Saturday. Cunnigham, who plays multiple instruments and sings, is a regular at the Mount Vernon with equipment setup for events including sound and lighting. He, like the other acts, looks forward to performing in the historic venue.

“It is really cool for us to get the chance to play (here),” he said. “For me personally, it’s always fun to be able to play at home to a crowd that I mostly know.”

Tickets are $10 each. Doors will open at 6 p.m. For more information, visit Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center on Facebook.