Petty or not: The local tribute band keeping Tom Petty's spirit alive

Petty or Not brings the music of Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac at Joe Martin Field on June 28 following the Bellingham Bells game.

By Hayleigh Tramm June 27, 2024 5:30 pm

BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) — In December 2017, just a couple of months after the death of rock legend Tom Petty, seven friends came together for a one-time performance to honor his life and music. That performance sparked the creation of one of the biggest tribute bands in the Pacific Northwest: Petty or Not.

The band, composed of local musicians Aaron Guest (keyboard, vocals, 12-string guitar), Craig Jewell (lead vocals, guitar), Stephanie Walborn (vocals, percussion), Jeremy Elliott (lead guitar), Kevin Chryst (drums), Jeff Ballew (bass) and Michael Iris (slide guitar), draws on long-standing relationships from many musical endeavors. Guest and Elliott previously played in the band “Polecats,” while Guest, Walborn and Chryst still play in the soul and funk band “Baby Cakes.” 

With their upcoming show at Joe Martin Field on June 28, MyBellinghamNow interviewed Aaron Guest to find out more about the band and their ties to the Bellingham Bells. 

“We performed at the Wild Buffalo in 2017, planning it as a one-time tribute,” Guest said. “It went so well, and we loved doing it, so we continued. We’ve now done about 50 shows around Northwestern Washington.”

Honoring the the music of Tom Petty with a unique twist

Petty or Not has a repertoire of 60 songs, including popular Tom Petty hits like “Free Fallin’” and “American Girl,” as well as lesser-known tracks from Petty’s band “Mudcrutch.” They also cover Fleetwood Mac songs like “Rhiannon” among others. The band honors the original artists while adding their own unique style by featuring a full-time slide guitarist, a signature sound that has become a mainstay to their shows.

With multiple lead singers, each bringing a distinct voice to the table, Petty or Not uses a unique “flavor change,” allowing them to perform mashups, personal arrangements, and medleys, altering the beginnings and endings of songs to fit their style and enhance their overall sound to reach a broad range of vocal octaves.

Starting a tribute band to legendary artists came with its challenges, notably the need to pay proper respect to their idols.

Tom Petty has been and will remain many people’s favorite artist, acknowledging the fans commitment to Tom Petty, frequently seeing old tour t-shirts at their shows. 

“It’s our job to convey the feeling of his heart and touch the fans. We aim to balance our personal unique flavor with respect for the originals.” Guest said. 

Performing at Joe Martin Field for the Bellingham Bells 

Stephanie Morell, General Manager of the Bellingham Bells, invited the band to perform after a game last June. The collaboration between the two went so well that they were asked to return again this year on June 28. 

Performing after Bellingham Bells games presents a unique opportunity for the tribute band. Not only does a new venue provide exposure, but it also offers a different crowd and different scene compared to a typical indoor venue. 

“It’s a nice evening with the sunset, people stick around for a couple of beers, and they’re ready to rock and roll after sitting for hours,” Guest said.

Being part of both the local music and sports community in Bellingham is meaningful to the group. They enjoy bringing a unique tribute act to a region typically known for jazz, folk, indie, alternative and rock.

Petty or Not has performed at popular venues and festivals like the Mount Baker Theatre, Downtown Sounds, Chateau St. Michelle and they have an upcoming performance at the Northwest Tune-Up in July. 

When asked about future goals, Guest emphasized the band’s focus on their current performances and continuing to touch new audiences with their unique tribute style.

Petty or Not will perform on Friday, June 28 directly following the Bellingham Bells game. A ticket to the Bells game gets you into the post-game performance of the tribute band, and tickets are available at bellstickets.com.