Groove On, Funk Fest | Preview

by Bryce Wergin

If you’re like me, there’s little you appreciate more than being able to call a bass line “nasty” and a guitar part a “groove” — your favorite rhythms are the ones that require a horn section. Well lucky for us, while America was busy giving a crap about Charlie Sheen last March, Derek York of the Omaha band The Groove Gov’nors was putting together the idea that would become the inaugural Benson Summer Funk Festival.

York, who plays drums in The Groove Gov’nors (make sure you announce it properly funky), says that as bands around Omaha have been starting to experiment with more soulful music, it made sense to celebrate the genre.

"The thing about funk music is it can be appealing to everybody," he says. "It’s got that rhythmic dance aspect. Any music that will make you start bobbing your head uncontrollably is just timeless.”

The Benson Summer Funk Festival happens Saturday, Aug. 20 at The Waiting Room Lounge in Benson and features The Groove Gov’nors and fellow Omaha funk band Funk Trek. The $7 show starts at 9 p.m. 

York says he hopes the festival grows, along with this Nebraskan funk scene.

Bryce Wergin is an intern for Hear Nebraska. He thinks any genre that makes the bass player the coolest dude on stage is awesome. Contact him at brycewergin@hearnebraska.org.