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Blue Lightning celebrates its 25th Trish Cook, left, Crystal Reeves, Dianne Strong-Summerhays, Sue Lundquist, Rhonda Loftis, Cedric Buckingham and Brent Norton are Blue Lightning. [Photo by Jon Summerhays] Friday Mar 24, 2017 at 12:01 AM Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune When Blue Lightning formed in 1992, it was billed Stacey Elliot and Blue Lightning. It formed as a vehicle to showcase singer, songwriter and founding member Elliot's original country rock. It wasn't destined to be, unfortunately. Elliot left the band the following year because of ill health. "She passed away in 2002 or 2003," says drummer Rhonda Loftis, who was among the original band's members — Sue Lundquist and Trish Cook. "We have permission to play her songs, but she never made it into a recording studio with her music." The band evolved into what it is today: A tight cover band that plays a mixed bag of contemporary and classic hits. Nineteen musicians have been and gone throughout the band's 25-year lineup, but its dedication to good music hasn't wavered. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Blue Lightning will host a concert and dance party at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the Historic Ashland Armory, 208 Oak St.. There will be complimentary appetizers and a no-host bar. Admission is $25 at the door (cash or check only), and part of the proceeds will benefit Jackson County's Sexual Assault Response Team. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Blue Lightning is all about the dance aesthetic, drawing songs from country, rock, disco, blues and funk artists to perform live. "We do Bonnie Raitt songs, like 'Something to Talk About,' The Pointer Sisters, killer Ruthie Foster songs like 'Death Came A-Knockin' (Travelin Shoes) and 'Up Above My Head,' a cover of Talking Heads' 'Burning Down the House,'" Loftis says. More contemporary hits fill the band's set list as well. Look for Adele's "Rollin' in the Deep," Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" and "The Edge of Glory." "We listen to all kinds of music, then bring ideas to the band," Loftis says. "If we play it and it moves us, we add it to the set list. We're learning at Etta James song right now, 'Standing on Shaky Ground.'" Blue Lightning's current lineup includes Lundquist on keys, guitar and percussion, Loftis on drum kit and Cook on lead and backup vocals. The rest of the members include Crystal Reeves on electric violin, guitarist Brent Norton, bassist Cedric Cunningham and lead singer Dianne Strong-Summerhays. "Crystal's fiddle and violin solos are killer, especially on the Dixie Chicks' 'Let 'Er Rip' and reggae artist Jimmy Cliff's 'Sitting in Limbo.' She's going to do that Etta James song at the show," Loftis says. "Brent is a master blues guitarist and stands out on 'Burnin' Down the House,' Bruno Mars' 'Uptown Funk' and Grace Potter's 'Paris.' Cedric plays that great, funky slap bass sound on Meghan Trainor's 'All About That Bass.'  "Dianne's vocals carry Ann Peebles' 'Slipped, Tripped and Fell in Love' and Al Green's 'Take Me to the River,'" Loftis says. "She does all the Bonnie Raitt and Ruthie Foster stuff, and she sings one called 'It's Raining Men,' written by The Weather Girls. We do a few classics, like 'Whole Lotta Shakin,'' by Jerry Lee Lewis. We'll play a couple of Stacey's songs at the show," she says. "We'll play 'Sweet Surrender' and 'Music Makes You Dance.' The first is more of a ballad, and the other is more of a dance song." The common thread that runs through all of Blue Lightning's cover selections is that the songs get audiences out of their seats and on their feet to have a great time. The health, needs and well-being of women are the band's prime concern when choosing nonprofit organizations to support, according to the band's press release. It is important our community be aware of the resources that SART provides. The American Medical Association calls sexual assault a "silent, violent epidemic in American life.” The after-effects of this crime can be lifelong and devastating. SART helps victims reclaim their lives. It provides immediate, compassionate care at all area hospitals and offers support groups for long-term healing. SART also conducts a K-12 sexual violence prevention program in schools across Jackson County. All of its services are free.