Band brings Bon Jovi tunes to series

Music fans wanting to hear some of their favorite tunes from the past 25 years can head to the Columbia County Amphitheater on Sunday.

//

Three tribute bands will perform at 3 p.m. during Tribute Fest '08 as part of the Music Evolution Series. The show will feature music from Slippery When Wet, a Bon Jovi tribute band; Poison'd, a Poison tribute band; and M.E.R.M.E.R, covering R.E.M. songs.

Jason Morey, the singer of Slippery When Wet, said Bon Jovi songs proved popular when he started covering tunes.

"I was playing through the cover circuit and our Bon Jovi songs were going over big in our set," he said.

People also noticed that he bears a certain resemblance to Jon Bon Jovi, Morey said.

"The more highlights my hairdresser was putting in my hair, the more I was getting asked for pictures and what not when I was out and about," he said.

Morey said he grew up listening to Bon Jovi and they were his favorite band.

"I had a massive frame of reference from my childhood and seeing the band live," he said.

Slippery When Wet was formed about five years ago and they cover music from each Bon Jovi album. Other band members include bass guitarist Brian Nielson, drummer Paul Sahlin and guitarist Anthony Cappolino.

The band travels throughout the Southeast, Morey said, and will perform in Mexico next month.

Slippery When Wet has performed in Augusta, but Sunday's show will mark the band's first performance in Columbia County.

The audience can expect what Morey described as "high energy" and a "very crowd-interactive show."

"We're doing a slightly smaller set than we would regularly play," he said. "It'll be heavy with the hits over all the 25 years."

Morey said he welcomes the cooler temperatures when performing.

"Hopefully this cooler weather will hold up, and it'll be great and a nice day for everybody," he said.

For information about the band, visit www.slippery whenwetband.com.

Tickets cost $15 at the gate, which opens at 2 p.m., but can be purchased for $10 in advance at Wild Wing Cafe, Columbia County Community Events in Building B of the Government Complex, Merle Norman Studios in Mullins Crossing, and online at www.etix.com and www.forthefansentertainment.com.