March 28, 2024

Union County Trio ‘brings people together’ through music

Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees perform Friday at Corning Opera House

CORNING – The Corning Opera House will begin its seasonal concert series with a trip down memory lane provided by the musical talents of Union County Trio — Rick Hillyard, Dan Sullivan and Garrett Pierson.

Hillyard, a 2018 inductee into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, plays guitar, mandolin and bass, and shares the job of lead vocalist with Sullivan, who was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. Sullivan also plays guitar, mandolin and keyboards in the band. Pierson brings his skills as a seasoned percussionist and rounds out the trio.

“Dan is getting his second induction this year into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an individual artist,” said Hillyard. “He was inducted two years ago with the band ‘High Heel and the Sneakers.’”

Union County Trio has been playing together in and around southwest Iowa for two years.

“I’ve known Dan Sullivan for a number of years,” said Hillyard. “He lived in Omaha, but when he moved back to southwest Iowa a couple of years ago, we started our musical journey together. Almost two years ago, we hooked up with our percussionist.”

Hillyard said the members of the band are not kids.

He began playing when he left the military in 1974 and Sullivan has been playing for roughly 50 years, since he was 15- or 16-years-old.

The band’s influences include The Beatles, Neil Young and Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Hillyard said it was seeing The Beatles that set him on his musical path and now he can’t see himself not playing music.

“My favorite part of playing music is the playing,” said Hillyard. “When you get up on stage and start playing, you forget about everything else. The music just seems to flow through you.”

Union County Trio played 84 shows last year. Hillyard said at every show, he saw people putting aside their differences and simply enjoying the music.

“Music brings people together,” said Hillyard. “I can be playing somewhere, and I know this person leans left, and that person leans right, and at that moment they forget about all that. It brings people together and lets them forget about their woes for the two or three hours that you’re performing.”

Union County Trio will perform some of their favorite songs by the artists who influence them 7 p.m. Friday at the Corning Opera House. For tickets and more information, visit corningoperahouse.com.