'Free Fridays' welcomes the return of the band Fast Lane to play at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza Friday, Aug. 22. Fast Lane plays a blend of R&B, funk, soul and rock ‘n’ roll. They love to get people dancing as their slogan says, 'Take off your feet belt and dance to the rhythm and groove of Fast Lane!'
 
Fast Lane features Scott 'Skyntyte' Free (lead vocals and guitar). Skyntyte’s credentials include tutelage under rock ‘n’ roll pioneer and plaza-namesake Bo Diddley and Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist, Bernie Worrell. The list of artists he has shared the stage with includes Chic, Teddy Pendergrass, Stephanie Mills and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Vernon 'Dr. Rockenstein' Montoya (keyboards), studied music theory at Boston College and is an accomplished jazz pianist, playing in various musical combinations since childhood. Deby Starr is Fast Lane’s new female vocalist. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Starr's influences are widespread and include such talents as Aretha Franklin, Chrissie Hynde, Led Zepplin, Bonnie Raitt and The Motels. Starr has mastered many genres, including rock, blues, soul and jazz. She previously sang with several Gainesville bands, including Redeye, Fabulous Comatones, Crisis, ClassX and NdGO. The 'Free Fridays' Fast Lane concert also marks the return to the band of popular vocalist Michelle Banfield, who comes from Barbados by way of New York City. Rounding out the group are David "DB" Baggaley (guitar/vocals), who hails from Stoke-on-Trent in the U.K., and was previously the guitarist and lead singer for Common Thread; Keith Ladd (bass), who also plays with local singer/songwriter Ricky Kendall and the University of Florida Gospel Choir; and Josh Hoffenberg (drums/vocals), who grew up in south Florida and previously played together with Ladd in the band J2K. Special guests for the 'Free Fridays' concert include the Keystone Horns, featuring Steve Hart (saxophones/trombone) and Doug Meyers (trumpet).
 
The 2014 'Free Fridays' concert series is produced by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department. The concerts will play each Friday night this year from Friday, May 2 through Friday, Oct. 24 from 8-10 p.m. at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza, which is located at 111 E. University Ave. To view the complete 'Free Fridays' 2014 schedule, please visit the Cultural Affairs Division website at www.gvlculturalaffairs.org.