Nerves were running high for most of the members of the Bare Necessities band Monday night, Aug. 18, at the Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School. It was their debut performance as a group, and they were opening for “American Idol” winner Maddie Poppe.

“If you’re not nervous, you’re not alive,” said electric guitarist and lead vocalist Bill Perrott. As a former touring musician, he noted that he was no more nervous than usual before a show.

That was not the case for everyone.

“Yes, lots of nerves,” said acoustic guitarist and lead vocalist Jim Vowels. “Lot. Lots.”

It was a huge crowd for a first show—hundreds of Maddie Poppe fans awaited her appearance.

“Depending on how it goes, it might be our last,” Vowels said to laughter from the others.

Vowels is a W-SR high school band director, bu

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