It's not Wing Fest without a performance by Body & Soul members, Dave Fahrenbach, Tussey Mountain Lodge's general manager, said.

Members of the band formerly known as Body & Soul -- now known as

AC Express -- will perform at 7:30 tonight at the Tussey Mountain Lodge, 301 Bear Meadows Road. The band will perform as part of the lodge's ninth annual Wing Fest that takes place every Thursday night this summer until Aug. 28.

And AC Express is no stranger to Wing Fest. The band has played the event every year since the festival's establishment and has never failed to deliver, Fahrenbach said.

"Their lead singer, Chrissy Miller, has a strong voice and belts out some popular tunes like Fleetwood Mac songs," Fahrenbach said. "Definitely songs that have strong female vocalists."

Miller has served as the lead vocalist for both Body & Soul and AC Express. Joining her is lead guitarist Al Miller and drummer Mike Hohnka, also formally of Body & Soul.

New additions to the lineup include bassist Barry Hamilton and fiddler/guitarist Dan Collins.

"They play a lot of upbeat songs, pretty much out of the '80s and '90s," said Fahrenbach. "There's always a lot of variety in their playing."

The band's music is described as "a kick butt country band with a rock band sound," according to its web site, www.myspace/acexpressmusic.

Marie-Christine Theberge (freshman-international relations) said she would definitely consider attending the concert if it were held closer to campus.

Stephanie Williams (freshman-public relations) agreed.

"I'm not really into country music," Williams said. "But I'd probably go if it was close by."

Fahrenbach, however, is not concerned about this Thursday's turnout.

"When the weather's nice, we always expect a great turnout. It's been a solid series of Thursday nights with the different wing vendors and restaurants from the area," he said. "We usually get around 2,000 to 3,000 people."

The show will go on, rain or shine,

and Tussey Mountain will provide numerous tents so guests can avoid rain showers or direct sunlight, Fahrenbach said.

Admission is $5, and gates open at 5:30 p.m., at which time food and beverages will be available. At 6 p.m., J. R. and Natalie will take the stage until AC Express begins at 7:30 p.m. The band will play until 10 p.m.

Quaker Steak & Lube will be serving wings every Thursday for the duration of Wing Fest. Wing tickets are available for $1 and one ticket is good for three wings, according to Collegian archives.

Interested students can take the Centre Area Transportation Authority's (CATA) B route to Tussey Mountain if needed. Complete schedules are available on CATA's Web site, www.catabus.com.