“I was approached by the gentlemen that own The 804 Building,” Herdman said. “It’s urban storage and office space. They wanted to do some music so I helped them put together this Rock the Dock idea. We ended up doing a couple of Saturday concerts there over the summer. I’ve always wanted to book stuff downtown. I was very excited to help with that. We got some great sponsors and great people volunteered. We had great bands and vendors involved so it’s been a fun ride this summer.”
Once Herdman agreed to do Rock the Dock, he began planning Hog Jam’s move downtown.
“It’s been a crazy year with my company, my family and things I’m doing in life,” he said. “I decided to do something different and try Hog Jam with an urban atmosphere. It has thrown off some people because they do love the camping, which I totally understand, but I felt like it was a good idea to incorporate the urban feel of Rock the Dock at The 805 Building along with Hog Jam.”
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This year’s festival will be held at two different downtown locations. Hog Jam kicks off at Hannah’s at 7 p.m. Friday, with a night of acoustic music featuring headliners Blue Moon Soup with Chris Bro, Alec Delphenic, Charlie Tipton and Sharon A. Lane. Music begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at The 804 Bldg. Saturday’s performers include Subterranean, Cheezcake, Jonny Dread & the Mystics, and the Nerak Roth Patterson Band.
“Since we’re doing it downtown, I thought I’d get Hannah’s involved, too,” Herdman said. “Friday night is my acoustic series. I’ve always been a singer-songwriter so I’ve always liked the solo acoustic side of it.
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“We’re closing Saturday night with Subterranean, who has always been one of my favorites in town,” Herdman added. “They’ve played most of the Hog Jams in some form so I’m happy to have them this year. I wanted to go back to some of the core bands that have really helped me over the years and they were all excited to be a part of this new idea and jumped on the urban Hog Jam.”
Admission is $10 per venue. Proceeds benefit Miami Valley Music Festival.
HOW TO GO
What: Hog Jam 2018 with Subterranean, Blue Moon Soup, Cheezcake, Sharon lane and others
When: 7 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 and 25
Where: Hannah's, 121 N. Ludlow, Dayton, and The 804 Bldg., 804 E. Monument Ave., Dayton
Cost: $10 per venue
More info: www.facebook.com/hogjammusicfestival
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