Collegiate Times

They started in Hollywood to make it big in other places. On this night ? similar to many aspiring artists in tinsel town ? they were someone else. Ken Oak was striped in red and white ? as Waldo; Ed Gorski was disguised in a long blond wig ? as Gunnar Nelson. Although they were both playing roles, their performance was not meant for the silver screen. It was Halloween, the day of jack-o-lanterns, black cats and wax lips.

?We figured we might as well dress up, so we played in our costumes,? said Oak, cellist of the band.

Dressed for the occasion, the two stood on the Highland Grounds? platform. That night, they played without fright on stage. It was their first time together as the Ken Oak Band.

Today, the Ken Oak Band will celebrate their two-year anniversary by performing at Tech. The free Halloween Benefit Concert is sponsored by the Asian American Student Union.

?They said they would be in the area and offered to come for free,? said Misono Yokoyama, communications secretary for AASU and senior graphic design and communication major.

Gunnar Nelson, pardon, acoustic guitar man, Gorski said,?We happened to be going through that area and wanted to play a show at Virginia Tech ? and here we are.?

The free event will be held in Squires Commonwealth ballroom tonight from 7?9 p.m. Donations will go to the Tsunami disaster relief efforts.

?Even though the Tsunami disasters happened a few years ago, they still need aid. We are trying to help out and raise awareness,? Yokoyama said.

She continued, ?This year is probably the most active we have been. It is the first time our organization has gone all out for a specific event to provide funding for a cause like this.?

The band looks forward to aiding AASU?s cause.?I think that?s an excellent idea,? Gorski said.

?I am glad we are able to do something that can help,? Oak said.

So who are these mystery men that makeup Ken Oak Band? They are described by some as cello indie rock.

Yokoyama said, ?I first heard about them through friends ? they are not really well-known, but are becoming more popular now, especially within the Asian-American community,? she said. ?They are kind of Yo-Yo Ma meets Jack Johnson or John Mayer.?

Gorski chuckled at the description and agreed, ?That?s an accurate description, it is a little like John Mayer, and then we bring in the classical element with the cello.?

When asked how audiences react to a cello/guitar rock performance, Oak said, ?We seem to appeal to a wide variety of people. When we take the stage, people don?t know what to expect, but they usually end up liking it.?

Oak?s daily grind was changed after singing at a coffee shop. He performed as average Joes listened and sipped from their ceramic mugs. After jamming with java drinkers, he decided to take his talent and love for music further.

Prior to meeting Oak, Gorski was working at a small independent record label, Global Creative Group in LA.

?I met Ken in California through a mutual friend at a show ? two months later, we started playing shows at small coffee shops,? Gorski said.

Through it all, Oak and Gorski seem to enjoy the musical road they have chosen to travel, which includes a stop at Virginia Tech.

?Music has always been a part of my life, and now I get to play for a living and maybe inspire other people,? Gorski said.

To check out the band and listen to some of their songs, visit http://www.kenoakband.com/.

As for this year?s Halloween costumes for Ken Oak Band ? neither is sure ? but rumor on the street is their tour manager wants to be a fencer.