InfieldFest Raises the Stakes in Entertainment-Howard County Times

If Maryland Jockey club President Tom Chuckas has his way, this weekend’s Preakness Stakes will live up to its self-described status as The People’s Party.

“For years the Kentucky Derby has always pushed itself as a race for the upper echelon and that’s fine,” says Chuckas by phone from his office at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. “We believe that the Preakness has more of a wider scope. It can be for anybody in a top hat and tails to somebody that wants to come out to the Infield in blue jeans and a T-shirt.”

To that end, the country’s oldest sporting association is once again hosting the Preakness InfieldFEST, an all-day celebration leading up to the 136th running of the middle jewel in horse racing’s Triple Crown.

This year’s musical headliners include pop stars Train and Bruno Mars.

“I think we’ve outdone ourselves this year by selecting these two Grammy winners,” Chuckas says.

The festival, now in its 3rd year, is the Jockey Club’s approach to managing the infield experience, which until just a few years ago, had a rather rowdy reputation.

 "In 2009 we changed the policy in the Infield to restrict what people could bring in, specifically alcohol,” Chuckas explains. “We realized that if we were going to do that, we had to put on a show. The Preakness Infield is a rite of passage in Baltimore and we want people to have a good time but we also look for some civility and respect for their neighbors. Depending on how far back you go; there was some of that possibly lacking,” he concedes.

In addition to live music, the Preakness InfieldFEST will include a women’s pro volleyball tournament, carnival games, a variety of Maryland based food vendors, a wagering 101 tent with advisors providing guidance for those interested in making a bet on Preakness Day, and the return of the “Mug Club.” For an additional $20, festival goers can purchase a refillable beer mug.

"I haven’t been shy about saying that we do want people in the Infield to have a party,” Chuckas asserts. “But now we are trying to do that by emphasizing all the entertainment and other events we have going on.” In total, six musical acts will play over two stages on the grounds of Pimlico this Saturday.

With three top ten hits from his debut selling CD, “Doo Wops and Hooligans,” it might appear as though Bruno Mars is an overnight sensation.

In fact, the 25 year old Hawaiian is partially responsible for some of the biggest hits of the past several years. As a member of the production trio, The Smeezingtons, Mars has helped craft hits for some of today’s biggest music stars. After many years behind the scenes, the pop singer has made the jump to center stage. Mars was nominated for seven Grammys earlier this year, taking home the trophy for “Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.”

Over the course of fifteen years, Train has rolled out an impressive number of chart- topping hits. Back in 2001, you’d be hard pressed not hear their song “Drops of Jupiter,” playing on your favorite radio station. Catchy lyrics and sing-along melodies have proven to be winning formula for the Top 40 trio. Earlier this year, the band earned their third Grammy for “Best Pop-Performance by a Duo or Group,” for their hit song, “Hey Soul Sister,” from their newest CD, “Save Me San Francisco.”
  
Maryland based rock band, Hotspur, will kick off the main stage entertainment. The quintet recently released their second CD, “You Should Know Better by Now,” and last year was named the grand prize winners of a nationwide search of the country’s top unsigned bands.

“We’re very excited to say the least,” says the group’s lead singer Joe Mach of playing at Pimlico.

 “I think we’ve been around the area long enough that people may have heard about us but haven’t had a chance to see us yet,” he continues by phone from his home in Beltsville, Maryland.

“InfieldFEST is giving us a chance to get out there and play in front of a lot of people."

Hotspur formed while undergraduates at the University of Maryland. With their catchy blend of pop-rock, the band seems well poised to move beyond local band status.

“If the right opportunity comes along we would definitely jump at the chance,” says Mach of Hotspur’s ambition to sign a major label record deal. “We’re making pop music; music for the masses, and the bottom line is you do need a bigger vehicle to get you to that next level,” he acknowledges. “We are at a stage where we definitely have accomplished a lot, but you do reach a point where you need a label or some financial backing to make the jump to radio or to be fully able to hit the mainstream.”

 So far the band has hit all the right notes. Their songs have made the playlist of Baltimore radio station 98 Rock, and three of their videos have been featured on mtvU, an offshoot channel of MTV, targeted to college age viewers.

"It’s one thing to have your video on You Tube but when you’re casually watching TV and a Hotspur video comes on right after Kanye West; that’s pretty exciting.” Mach confesses.

Hotspur are regular favorites at such local venues as Washington’s 9:30 Club, and Baltimore’s Ram’s Head Live. In 2007, the band played Merriweather Post Pavilion as part of alternative rocks’ Warped tour. “Talk about a highlight,” says Mach of playing the venerable Columbia concert spot.

“That was one of our first really big performances. I pride myself on never really getting nervous but that was a time when I thought, what am I getting myself into? I’m on the Jumbotron at Merriweather!”

A second stage at InfieldFEST will feature several additional musical acts including Virginia native, Phil Vassar. The country music singer has released six albums and has recorded five hit singles. He’s also an award winning songwriter, having composed number one songs for such country superstars as Alan Jackson and Tim McGraw.

Alternative rockers, Puddle of Mudd released their triple platinum selling debut in 2001. Four tunes from the CD went to number one on Billboard magazine’s mainstream rock chart including “Blurry,” the most played radio song of 2002. Led by charismatic front man Wesley Scantlin, Puddle of Mudd’s most recent release is 2010’s greatest hits collection, “ICON.”

Based out of Philadelphia, cover rock band Mr. Greengenes, are perennial favorites on the Mid Atlantic club scene. Over the past decade, the quintet has made regular appearances at summertime nightspots in Ocean City and Rehoboth Beach.

The Preakness is the largest single day sporting event in the state of Maryland and organizers say 30 thousand people attended last year’s InfieldFEST. Tom Chuckas says he’s hopeful that number can be topped.

"I think you’d be hard pressed to find this kind of entertainment for the price,” he contends. “We’ve really tried to create a fantastic day.”