Sound Valley Summer Music Festival in Dayton

Amelia Robinson

Zac Pitts can barely count the number of times he’s heard a Dayton musician play and thought the whole nation should know about that musician.

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“There are so many talented musicians and artists in this area,” said Pitts, a graduate of Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School.

Pitts and his fiancée Ashley Karsten plan to feature some of those acts during their first Sound Valley Summer Music Festival from 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 at the Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St. in Dayton’s Oregon District.

“Both my fiancée and I are passionate about music,” he said. “We want to do whatever we can to grow the scene.”

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The festival will feature food trucks and music on two stages from a list of local pop, rock and alternative acts that include Life In Idle; Knavery; Beesly; Yardboss; Weathervein; NOVAGOLD; Seth Canan And The Carriers; Crosley Court; Isicle; Flee The Valley; Dave Zup; ThunderTaker and A Voice of Your Own.

Pitts, a Dayton native, is co-host of WDTN’s “Living Dayton.” Karsten, his girlfriend of five years, also works for the station.

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He called Sound Valley an initiative that aims to bring national attention to Dayton’s music scene, a passion project and a launching point.

Pitts said he and Karsten’s TV backgrounds have come in handy.

The Sound Valley Facebook page features interviews with local acts and information about venues.

Pitts encourages music fans and those involved with Dayton’s music scene to attend the festival.

Collaboration and networking are positive things, he said.

“Anyone who has a hand in music in Dayton, I want them to be there. I want them to start talking,” he said. “The only way it is going to work is if people in Dayton are working together, not competing.”

Part of the proceeds from the festival will benefit Brigid's Path, a local non-profit that supports inpatient medical care for drug-exposed newborns and support and education to their mothers and other family members.

"The heroin epidemic has hit our community hard," Pitts said. "We want to work alongside those that are taking away the stigma and standing with our neighbors who are struggling."

WANT TO GO?

What: Sound Valley Summer Music Festival

When: 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1

Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St. in Dayton’s Oregon District

Cost: Admission is $10 in advance or $13 at doors. Advance tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.com.

More info: soundvalleydayton.com

BANDS PLAYING SOUND VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL INCLUDE:

THUNDERTAKER