Snohomish’s Taste of Music diversifies for 10th annual event

Come with an appetite to Snohomish’s 10th annual Taste of Music — an appetite for tunes, that is.

The three-day event, organized by Historic Downtown Snohomish, features an eclectic mix of genres, ranging from new wave rock and funk to contemporary country and rockabilly, and culminates with a full day of blues with the state finals for the 2018 International Blues Challenge on Aug. 19.

“We wanted to diversify the palette of music,” said Fred Gibbs of Historic Downtown Snohomish. “We are transitioning from blues to other post-modern styles of music.”

The Joe Slick Band, a country rock act based in Sultan, is the featured headliner Aug. 18 and the only band from Snohomish County.

Sultan resident Joe Schlicker, lead singer of the band originally formed in 1997, says they’ll play a mix of originals — including his yodeling song, “Paper Boy” — as well as contemporary country and covers of Top 40 country songs.

“I’m not really a music snob,” Schlicker, 56, said. “I like just about everything, as long as it’s not negative.”

Schlicker, who owns JD Slicks, a local bar, has performed since the 1980s. He followed in his father’s footsteps to become a singer. His dad’s nickname even inspired his stage name.

Schlicker made a run at a solo country music career in Nashville when he was younger, but nothing ever materialized. His band, however, has had some big moments. They once opened for Jimmy Wayne and Billy Gillman in front of 17,000 people at Gaylord Arena in Nashville. They’ve also opened for country stars Julie Roberts, Sammy Kershaw and Gary Allen.

He said he’s looking forward to performing in front of a local crowd.

“My wife went to school in Snohomish, and a lot of her friends are coming out to see,” Schlicker said.

Friday’s performers include Seattle new wave rock group Fonzarelli and rockabilly act George from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday’s sets begin at 11:30 a.m. with The Folsoms, a Johnny Cash tribute act, followed by The School of Rock Seattle All Star House Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band Green River Revivalists, Groove Surfers, Seattle funk musician Davin Michael Stedman from The Staxx Brothers, and, finally, the Joe Slick Band.

On Sunday, 10 blues acts will compete in Washington Blues Society’s local competition for the 2018 International Blues Challenge, including Harpdog Brown and Uptown Blues Band, Sammy Eubanks and The Workin’ Class, and Arsen Shomakhov.

The International Blues Challenge is Jan. 22 to Jan. 26, 2019 in Memphis.

Evan Thompson: 360-544-2999, ethompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @evanthompson_1.

If you go

What: Snohomish Taste of Music

Where: Carnegie Center outdoor plaza, 105 Cedar Ave., Snohomish

When: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday

Tickets: One-day pass is $10, three-day pass is $25

More: www.historicdowntownsnohomish.org

The schedule

Friday

7 p.m.: Fonzarelli

8:30 p.m.: George