For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 4, 2015
‘Made in Montgomery’ Show on County
Cable Montgomery (CCM) Features
Blues and Roots Rock Band ‘The Nighthawks’
Show Looks at Legendary Group’s Continuing Legacy—and
Longtime Fans Councilmembers Elrich and Leventhal
ROCKVILLE, Md., November 4, 2015—Made in Montgomery, the show on Montgomery County’s government television station County Cable Montgomery (CCM) that earlier this year was named winner of a local Emmy by the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, has produced its latest episode featuring a Montgomery-based business that has gone on to success. The business this show focuses on is the music business and it traces the 40-year history of homegrown legendary blues and rock band “The Nighthawks.”
Since 1972, the Nighthawks have toured the world and have played in venues of all sizes and to audiences of all ages. Mark Wenner, who attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, is the lone remaining original band member. He talked to Made in Montgomery about the band’s history and its continued base in Montgomery County. He also spent time with two of the band’s longest-running followers—both of whom are now members of the Montgomery County Council—Marc Elrich and George Leventhal.
The 15-minute show can now be seen on CCM (Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) on Sundays at 11:15 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.; Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.; Fridays at 12:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.; and Saturdays at 12:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. It also can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/B-axVIlWipI .
Mr. Wenner, who is recognized as one of the greatest harmonica players in music, was in the original band with drummer Pete Ragusa, guitarist Jimmy Thackery and bass player Jan Zukowski. The current version of The Nighthawks includes guitarist Paul Bell, bass player Johnny Castle and drummer Mark Stutso.
The band has played with many blues and rockabilly legends. The Nighthawks opened shows for Muddy Waters, James Cotton and Carl Perkins and backed up and recorded with John Hammond and Pinetop Perkins.
In recent weeks, Made in Montgomery producer/report Susan Kenedy, videographer/editor Mike Springirth and videographer Loren Olson followed The Nighthawks as they played in local venues that still excite the bandmembers such as the new AMP at Pike and Rose in North Bethesda and the Music Café in Damascus. At each location, Councilmembers Elrich and Leventhal reminisced with band members about their crossed paths over the years.
The Nighthawks won the Traditional Blues/R&B Duo/Group Award at the 2009 Washington Area Music Awards. In 2011, their album, Last Train to Bluesville won the Acoustic Album of the Year at the 32nd Blues Music Awards.
Made in Montgomery was created to showcase businesses of all sizes that are based in Montgomery County and address why they are located in the County. The show has featured startup businesses and Fortune 500 companies. Special guests have included J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr., the executive chairman and chairman of the board of Bethesda-based Marriott International. The wide range of other businesses featured include EyeBlack of Rockville, which produces customized eyeblack strips for professional sports teams, colleges and high schools across the U.S.; Rent-a-Coop, which rents chicken coops to families for their temporary backyard use as learning experiences; and Solar Mowing, which uses only battery powered equipment to mow and trim lawns in the Bethesda/Chevy Chase/Silver Spring area.
“Made in Montgomery is a program that showcases the many businesses large and small that call this County home, and this latest edition featuring The Nighthawks might be one of the best examples of local businesses that we have profiled,” said producer/reporter Kenedy. “Featuring The Nighthawks was the idea of Council President Leventhal, who has been a lifelong fan of the band. Councilmember Elrich is also part of that bandwagon and their perspectives helped us tell the story of a business that is part of the fabric of music history in Montgomery County.”