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Father and son music duo plants deep roots in Elliottsville

By Joyce Koballa jkoballa@heraldstandard.Com 3 min read
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The musical roots of a father and son run deep in Elliottsville Road where the duo initially planted the seeds that led to the release of their first CD debuting this week at the 47th annual Mountain Area Fair.

John Macho Sr. of Farmington and John Macho, Jr., of Pittsburgh will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. on stage Aug. 8 with their band, “Elliottsville Road.”

The fair runs Aug. 3-9 at the Farmington Volunteer Fire Company grounds located off Route 40.

According to Macho Sr., the idea for the CD, titled “Travel at your own risk,” evolved from a friend that suggested he shouldn’t let songs that he wrote in the 1970s and 80s go unknown.

The songs are featured on a CD with 10 original tracks containing a blend of folk, country, acoustic and rock that the band will perform along with additional originals and classic rock favorites.

Elliottsville Road includes Macho Jr. on guitar, drums and bass, Macho Sr. on guitar and vocals and Macho Jr.’s wife, Laura Edder on piano and vocals.

Macho Jr. said they will joined by Michael Oncea on drums and Michael Scheer on guitar for the live performance at the fair.

Although the Machos became involved in the music spectrum before they were each 10-years-old, Macho Sr. said their talents are vividly opposite.

“I started my first guitar lesson when I was eight-years-old,” said Macho Sr. “He never took a lesson.”

Macho Sr. added that he sings and writes while his son plays by ear. “We work out well together,” he added.

According to Macho Sr., it it took six months for the CD that was recorded and produced by his son and mastered by Ray Calfo at StudioPhonix in Mount Pleasant.

“We always wanted to do it,” said Macho Jr. “It’s sentimental.”

Aside from performing at the fair, the Machos have played guitar for 12 years for the classic rock band “Finally Free,” formerly known as “Happy Ending.”

The band performs at venues throughout the state, Maryland, New York and West Virginia as well as at various casinos, bars and restaurants.

The fair kicks with a car show from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 3. Food kitchens are open at 6 p.m. each night with beer available in the pizza kitchen.

Entries will be accepted from 6 to 8 p.m Aug. 4 with ribbons awarded.

Kids Day is Aug. 5 with a barnyard petting zoo that will continue daily. Bicycle races will be held at 7 p.m. by the stage with a $5 registration fee and pedal power tractor pulls with a $1 registration fee.

Rides will also be featured starting at 6 p.m. daily.

Denny Huber Balloon Magician will be on stage at 7 p.m.

On Aug. 6, ATV racing starts at 7 p.m. Registration is $15 and a pit pass, $10. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children under age six.

On stage will be DJ Mean Gene. Rides open at 6 p.m.

A parade will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 7. Rides open at 6 p.m. Cuzzin Eddy will perform on stage.

Bike and steak night is set for Aug. 8 with ATV pulls at 7 p.m. in the arena. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children age six and under.

Elliottsville Road will perform on stage.

The fair concludes Saturday with Croushore’s Championship Demolition Derbies at 7 p.m. in the arena.

Fullsize, compacts and lawnmowers will also compete. Registration for each event is $25 and $15 for a pit pass.

Admission is $7 for adults and $1 for children age six and under.

More information can be found at www.mtareafair.com.

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