Pictured above is Marti Dodson, lead singer of Saving Jane which will perform from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday at the All Ohio Balloon Fest. The band drifted apart after finding national attention with the song “Girl Next Door,” but will be back together to play at the Balloon Fest.
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The 2019 All Ohio Balloon Fest will welcome Saving Jane back to Central Ohio for one of its first performances since reuniting.
Saving Jane will perform Saturday, Aug. 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. before Bon Journey takes the stage at 8 p.m.
The band, which gained national recognition from its hit song, “Girl Next Door,” was formed by lead singer Marti Dodson while she was attending Ohio State University, along with guitarist Pat Buzzard.
While Saving Jane climbed up the charts, several bassists and drummers joined the band. It opened for early 2000s pop-rock acts like Kelly Clarkson, Pink, the All American Rejects and The Fray.
Despite its popularity, the band eventually disintegrated when the members parted ways to pursue different artistic visions or lifestyles. Dodson dove headfirst into the country genre and moved to Nashville in 2013 to pursue songwriting.
“I was always connected to the storytelling type of writing, which is what I really loved about country music,” Dodson said.
In Nashville, Dodson has found a place behind the scenes rather than center stage, as most of her career revolves around songwriting. She said she currently writes for country artists, while teaching and mentoring younger songwriters.
Although she now considers Tennessee her home, she said she still feels strongly connected to Ohio, the place she grew up and her band began.
“I’ll always have a place in my heart for Ohio,” Dodson said.
Like her roots in the Midwest, Dodson said she still felt connected to Saving Jane. She said she began talking with Buzzard late last year about getting the band back together.
Once they agreed to reunite, Dodson and Buzzard decided on a stripped down version of the band that includes only themselves, the two original members.
The duo will be performing a handful of shows together, although Dodson said it won’t be an official reunion tour. She said she is especially excited about the band reuniting in Central Ohio, the place where it all began.
“There’s definitely something special about it,” Dodson said.
Dodson described the band’s performance style as “old meets new,” saying that she and Buzzard will both bring what they’ve learned during their time as separate artists to their duet. She said those in attendance can expect to see some of the Saving Jane they’re familiar with, along with some new twists.
For instance, Dodson said she will break from past tradition of performing solely as a vocalist and will play guitar alongside Buzzard. She also said the set will include songs with more of an acoustic feel, in addition to the rock style they’re known for.
“We’re going to do what we were successful at and what people love, but we’re also going to try some new things,” Dodson said.
While Dodson said the band has evolved and its members have grown, she said fans can be sure that Saving Jane has stayed true to what drew people to them years ago.
“I’ve tried to keep the same thread throughout my music, which is being honest,” Dodson said. “I still have the same voice and even though it may sound a little more country, I hope people can still connect to that honesty.”
Those interested can purchase tickets on www.eventbrite.com or at the Journal-Tribune office, 207 N. Main Street, Marysville.