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The Underdawgs Band

Underdawgs To Play At Red Belly Day

The Underdawgs Band will be making their Red Belly Day debut at this year's 12th annual festival featuring Confederate Railroad. Red Belly Day is Saturday May 26, Memorial Day weekend and is sponsored by the Dixie County Chamber of Commerce. This much anticipated event is held at Fanning Springs State Park,. on the banks of the Suwannee River at U.S. 19 in Fanning Springs. There are ten acts performing on two stages this year from 9am to 4pm. The Underdawgs Band is scheduled to play two shows on the North Stage: the first at noon, with the second around 1:30 pm.
The Underdawgs Band was founded in 1994 by bassist/vocalist John Underwood, Pinellas County native who moved to the tri-county area as a young teenager. John's entry into the music business was playing bluegrass guitar and upright bass with his dad Oscar. Prior to the Underdawgs, John worked with David Clay and fronted the band South Street prior to that.
Levy County's Billy Powers was the first current band member to join the group in 1995. Billy plays lead guitar and also provides lead and harmony vocals. His unique guitar style lends an originality that is a big part of the band's distinctive sound. Besides the Underdawgs, Billy has worked with Final Chapter as well as the Sweetwater Band.
On second lead guitar and vocals is Bronson resident Curtis Frazier. Originally a drummer before taking up the guitar, Curtis has been with the group since 1999. Well versed in many musical styles, he planed drums with the band Milestone, guitar with original music band Rockslide, and guitar with metal band Reckless.
Karen Powers grew up in Erie, Pa and started singing at age nine. Before moving to Florida in 1980 she worked with the Storm Band. Some of the Florida groups she has performed with include the Many Hats Band from Melbourne and the 50 Caliber Blues Band out of Jacksonville. Whether she's vocalizing a tender ballad ,or belting out a powerful Blues rocker, Karen has a great dynamic style - one conductive to whatever genre of tune she chooses. Karen moved to Chiefland in 1998 and started singing with the Underdawgs in 2000. She and Billy were married shortly thereafter. Karen was recently seen as "Carol" in Sandra Rose Zenner's
"Midnight at the Starlight", the original musical comedy performed at the Dixie Country Cultural Center in February.
Mike Lewis rounds out the band on drums. This newcomer to the group has been with the band "only" four years. Mike has played music since high school and, like John, comes from a family with a Bluegrass tradition. Over the years this Levy County resident has worked with many of the area's top groups including Night Train, Southern Sounds, and Bulletproof. And like Underwood, he too is a veteran of the David Clay Band.
This quintet is one of the busier groups working "the circuit" in north central Florida: seldom do the have the weekend off. They perform a very nice mix of popular tunes of many styles including contemporary,. Blues, classic rock and both traditional and newer C & W. their musical variety is sure to please most nay music fan., For further information and to check for their latest upcoming performances just go to their website: underdawgsband.com (one word)

Midnight at the

September 13, 14, 15 at 7:30 PM

Performed at the Original Old Town Elementary Auditorium

Proceeds will benefit the Dixie County Historical Society

Ticket Sales

Southeast Corner of CR 55-A and SR 349