This week’s Fridays on Vine concert will rock. Literally.
Rockin’ Rob and the Hound Dogs is a classic rock band that performs covers of the band members’ favorite songs from the 1960s through the late ‘80s, guitarist/vocalist Dave Gwilliam said.
“We play everything from the Eagles to Chuck Berry,” he said.
The band first came together in the basement of drummer Rob Myers — “rockin’ Rob,” as bassist/vocalist Jody Worthen calls him. Worthen said Myers would get together with friends to play, but the group didn’t start to get serious about performing until Worthen joined in 2000.
After the addition of guitarist/vocalist Aaron Baugh, a few more musicians passed through the band. Then Worthen invited Gwilliam to join. The band members have been the same ever since, Worthen said.
Worthen and Gwilliam have known each other since junior high school. For both men, music has always been a part of their lives.
“When Jody and I were younger, we might have had rock star aspirations in our teenage years,” he said, “but those quickly fell by wayside. When we got into semi-adulthood, we realized family was a little more important.”
Combined, the four band members have 14 or 15 children and five grandchildren, Gwilliam said.
“I think our [Jody’s and my] first band was when we were about 12. We’re considerably older than 12 now… but we look significantly younger on stage,” he joked.
The Hound Dogs’ main goal when performing is to enjoy themselves, Worthen said.
“We all have jobs and families,” he said. “It’s nice to have an outlet to be a little creative and let our hair down a little bit.”
Rehearsal usually takes place once a week, working around the band members’ schedules. They perform about 8-10 times at different places during the summer, Worthen said.
The Hound Dogs have played in the Tooele concert series once before, in 2012, Gwilliam said.
Fridays on Vine concerts begin at 7 p.m. in the Tooele City Park at 200 W. Vine Street. Seating is limited, so patrons are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Admission is free.