Infernofest.org

the Music Explosion's Rick Nesta and Burton Stahl

"Sir Tim" Corwin and Mike Brumm of the Ohio Express

Here it is 2009, 10 years after our very first Infernofest. With this new place to host the site, I thought I would go back in time and post some memories of the past fests and add some photos. We sure would love for you to add comments or memories of your times with us at Infernofest!

Infernofest 99 should NOT have happened but because you, the fans, were hungry to relive those heady days from the 60′s, YOU made it happen. It all started with the two of us (Nancy Wasen and my good friend Deb Anderson) determined to make this event come to life. We had no clue what we were doing but just had a vision of throwing a party to celebrate the music scene of our teens in the Mansfield area and it happened!

Was a hot summer night for our first fest; held at the Commerce Center in the old Westinghouse Building. Some were scared of the rickety elevator and being up on the 4th floor, but it felt like a 2nd home to me. I loved the big ballroom and that great stage (and even cooler backstage area). We were so well treated by Dave and Julie who ran the place and all the helpers. (Note: the Commerce Center closed their doors after Infernofest 04 and after a freezing winter and frozen pipes cannot be saved). Bummer.,

Anyway; we set out to have a great night of music and our first year we were treated to the music of: my ex husband’s band, Street Foxx, who never played the teen clubs in Mansfield in the 60′s but did a great job of doing alot of songs from that era and some of their own. We had Jimmy Lynch and his JuJuBees who were the back line and were billed as the Day Glo All Star Band, the Music Explosion with Burton Stahl, Dane Donohue & Rick Nesta, Terry Carbetta and Dane Donohue of the Buckles and Bob Ross of the Wildlife; and Tim Corwin of the Ohio Express. Not a bad lineup for our very first fest! Our master of ceremonies that night was the Dantes’ own Barry Hayden.

It was an extremely hot summer night and the AC up that high really didn’t do much of anything so it really was an inferno. I remember looking over and seeing someone from the radio station who had helped us and I know didn’t think we would have even 100 people come to our event and seeing the look of ashtonisment of his face to see the place Packed and everyone up dancing.

We left that night as happy campers and in disbelief that we had pulled it off! Our first fest under our belts. Much was learned that night about what we did wrong and what we did right. Money was made for Hospice of North Central Ohio and old friends were greeted with hugs and new friends were made.

The biggest lesson learned for me was to follow your dreams and don’t let anyone hold you back.

Up goes the first Infernofest poster at the City News

James, Deb and Sue in the lobby of the Commerce Center

Friends since the 60's: Toni Santoro and Nancy Wasen

we were all hot and sweaty and had a groovy time