Both of this year's Lincoln Highway Days featured bands have local connections. Performing Friday night will be Murphy's Law and performing Saturday night will be Grand JCT. Nate Fair of McCallsburg, middle school band director in Nevada and Steve Locker of Nevada, who works for WHO Radio, are members of Murphy's Law. Jarod Pedersen of Nevada, an insurance agent for Farm Bureau Financial Services, is a member of Grand JCT.

Murphy's Law
      Fair plays the saxophone, flute and keyboards for Murphy's Law and Locker plays the bass guitar. Other band members include Babe Kohlsheen of Avoca, who plays guitar; Jerry Glenn of Walnut, who plays guitar; and Denny Langer of Hancock, who plays drums.
      "Babe, Denny and I have played together since 1978," said Fair.
      Murphy's Law plays mostly classic rock and some country. They say their band offers "danceable music that most people know and can sing along to."
      Residents are invited to hear Murphy's Law on Friday night, Aug. 28, from 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
Grand JCT
      Pedersen said the name of Grand JCT (junction), actually ties together the first initials of the band members. In addition to Jarod, there are Cory Zorn of Williams and Tim Miner of Ames. Zorn plays drums and backs vocals; Miner plays bass guitar and does vocals. Pedersen plays guitars and does vocals.
      Pedersen said he and Zorn had played in a couple of different configurations over the last few years, and he and Miner had played in a jam band in Ames a few years ago. "So when the three of us got together for the first time three years ago, songs came together really well," Pedersen said.
      Grand JCT plays everything from the 1950s to today, with a mix of oldies, classic and new rock, and country. "We try to pick songs that everyone recognizes and enjoys to hear. We also throw our own unique twist on a couple of songs," said Pedersen.
      He said the band gets frequent compliments on its awesome sound and the wide variety of music it plays. "Everyone there will be able to sing and dance along with what we play. Our goal is to keep the dance area full all night when we play somewhere. We play for the crowd, the more fun they have, the more fun we have," he said.
      Residents are invited to hear Grand JCT on Saturday night, Aug. 29, from 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
      Pedersen said Grand JCT also would like to issue a challenge to Nevada. "When we played in Story City for Scandinavian Days, there were over 1,000 wristbands issued at the beer garden. For a town twice their size, there should be 2,000 wristbands issued when we play at Lincoln Highway Days, so call your friends and family and show Story City your Nevada pride! Let's pack the place and get it rocking!"