MANKATO — When you’ve got a few decades of experience in the music industry like Michael Lardie of Great White does, nearly every venue, every band, every region of the country brings back strong memories.
That’s certainly true of the band’s upcoming appearance Sept. 13 at the Bend of the River Festival at the Vetter Stone Amphitheater, where they will be performing on the same stage as Bret Michaels, Stephen Pearcy of Ratt and SIIN.
“We actually do about four or five shows with Bret,” Lardie said in an early August interview from Las Vegas. He also mentioned enjoying doing shows with Slaughter and Quiet Riot.
“This year Sebastian (Bach of Quiet Riot) moved over to our agency, (so) we’re going to be doing a couple of shows with him,” he said. Earlier this month they also performed with Queensryche at Jackpot Junction in Morton.
When everyone was starting out together, a strong competition existed between the bands, he said. But through the years, as they’ve gotten to know each other and matured in their craft — often playing for a time in other bands or producing them, as Lardie did — those feelings have morphed into appreciation and respect.
“You know, there was that competitive thing when you’re in your 20s because that’s just the way it is, you know. … Fast forward to 40 years later. We’re still all doing this. You just look around and you’re so grateful that you have people in other bands that are your friends and have all survived.”
When Great White took a break around the turn of the century, Lardie played for a few years with Night Ranger. And it was by touring with the band in 1987 that allowed Great White to reach an audience and launch “Rock Me,” he said.
“And that helped propel us to that point where, you know, we were taken seriously. Then we went out with Twisted Sister and did ‘Save Your Love.’”
Even during the break, he stayed in contact with and even helped members of the band on their side projects, and when they reformed a few years later it was with renewed energy for the band, he said.
“There is a freshness, you know, and it gives you the opportunity to try things that you may have in the back of your mind been wanting to try,” he said. “But we never really got that far away.”
The Bend of the River Festival is coming off strong energy from last year’s move to Riverfront Park, said organizer Jerry Braam. With strong sponsorship from presenting partner Heyn Brothers Roofing, platinum sponsor BLK Electric and a full slate of others, excitement is strong for this year’s event, he said.
“You know, last year was good. I like the venue,” he said of the first year at Riverfront Park after previous years at Minnesota State University. “We just had all that traffic problem. But from a logistics standpoint, the city, and working with Eric Jones and Brian Sather down at the city, they make it pretty seamless for us.”
They’ve reduced the number of food trucks a bit, but vendor counts are up. Also up is the roster of talent. And with that was a bit of a jump in ticket price. But Braam is quick to note the price is still low compared to similar events in the metro.
“This year, our talent budget to put on the show is almost $400,000,” he said. “But at the end of the day, you’ve got four bands … I just know if you go to the Twin Cities and you want to see a big artist, you’re going to start out about $150.”
If you decide at the last minute to attend, tickets will be available at the door. But you’ll have to take what’s available, he reminded people.
In addition, he said he and his wife are continuing the charitable aspect for the festival that has already donated a little over $90,000 to local school scholarships.
Michaels also plans to cut a check to the Firefighters for Healing organization (firefightersforhealing.org), which supports burn survivors, firefighters, first responders and their families.
As someone who just endured burns from a brush fire that jumped out of control, Braam knows the importance of providing cost-free assistance, he said.
What he loves best about a festival setting is that people come together, see friends and are able to talk and catch up between musical performances. He said he’s heard all bands will be coming on stage for a big closing number, something you don’t see everywhere.
One of those guys will be Lardie, who said Minnesota has been a supporter of Great White from the beginning.
“Minnesota always seems to want us back,” he said. “So we’re very, very happy about that.”