Pittsburgh 80’s Band Debuts in Ford City Saturday

by Jonathan Weaver

Ford City will travel back in time three decades Saturday during a non-profit fundraiser.

Pittsburgh-based rock band “Totally 80’s” will debut during the Ford City Renaissance Community Partnership’s “I Love the 80’s Dance Party” at 7:30PM, with doors opening at 6:30PM.

Lead Singer Chris Murphy (known on stage as ‘Chris d’Fershurr’) has been with the band since 2012.

“Our core demographic is between 32 and 55 (years old), so it’s very reminiscent for people who grew up in the 80`s,” Murphy said. “Some will even come dressed up in costumes. We’ll give out prizes for best costume depending on how many people dress up.

“Some people go back into their trunks and wear the stuff they wore in high school.”

An Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduate who works as a full-time healthcare consultant, Murphy is the father of three children in the North Allegheny School District – Chloe, Giffin and Karsen.

Bass Player Brian Heywood (also known as ‘B. Dawgg’), a musician for 30 years, hasn’t played in town, but has relatives in Kittanning and recently boated in Crooked Creek.

“I look forward to this weekend,” Heywood said.

One of the founding band members five years ago, keyboardist Ron Payne (or ‘DJ Ron P’) has performed different genres of music for nearly 40 years. He said he knew the other band members from different projects.

“It’s all working – working pretty good,” Payne said.

Formerly only a local band, “Totally 80’s” will also perform in Ohio, Texas and West Virginia during the next few months and are already booking into 2017.

Renaissance Corresponding Secretary Barbara Klukan found the band via social media, and said more than 100 advance tickets have been sold for Saturday’s party. She knows attendees who will dress up for the concert.

This will be Klukan’s first time hearing the band live, but she looks forward to Saturday night.

“They seem very, very engaging and very professional to me in their music and they fit the 80’s to a t,” Klukan said. “The other bands we’ve hired also were engaging, but I think this band is even more so.”

Net ticket proceeds directly benefit restoration of the Ford City Choo-Cho, as well as the upcoming 2016 Fantasy of Lights holiday celebration.

Tickets are available at Janny’s Hallmark, Young’s Interiors and Dillick’s 5th Avenue Jewelry, as well as online, and will also be sold at the door Saturday night.

Food and alcohol will be sold by volunteer firefighters Saturday night.