September 11 kicked off the 13th annual Greater Ozarks Blues Festival. Spectators enjoyed one day and two nights of pure blues, good times and endless people to dance with.
Since it’s beginning, this festival has been notorious for a large arsenal of bands from all across the country and this year was no different. Friday night started with the upbeat blues of Nathan Keck and the Underground Blues Division from Forsyth, MO. Then the mood was taken over by the slow, soulful piano playing of Kelly Hunt straight from Lawrence, KS. The night ended with the Cajun blues of Tab Benoit and the audience left with the comfort of a whole day of music in front of them.
Saturday afternoon opened with The Cate Brothers, who have been on the top charts with their music since the 1970s and the audience’s reaction ensured that they still know how to harness the blues. The Kenny Neil Band, from Louisiana, took the stage and produced sounds that could only come from the members of the band being of the same family. Neil stated that he believed family was everything. He also wanted to show “the future of the blues” and gave the microphone to his brother and the members of his band.
The band that took the stage was dressed in somewhat questionable blues attire. This included extremely baggy, dark jeans and shirts that seemed to consume them. Despite their outfits, the compositions they presented held the audience in awe.
Some members of the audience were hardly able to keep their seats. The section in front of the stage seemed to form one big dance party. Most of them were off their feet, grooving to the blues in some unorthodox manner.
Even though most observers were knowledgeable of the blues, some were new to the genre and the festival was their first introduction to the music.
“I’ve never really listened to the blues all that much, so the concert taught me a lot about that type of music,” said Glendale student Michael Crocker (12).
Saturday night started and the stage was then given to Davy Knowles and the Back Door Slam. The leader of the band, Davy Knowles, is only 21 years old, but his melodic guitar and deep singing capabilities made him sound forty years older. The festival concluded with the performance of Ronnie Baker Brooks along with his expressive tone and heartfelt voice.
A unique mood hung over the whole festival due to the combination of people from all different backgrounds.
“Yea, the blues is good,” one spectator, Eddie Zvolanek said, “but what keeps bringing me back is the people I meet every year. You are always ensured a good time out here.”
The festival transitioned quickly due to the experienced groups of people that have committed themselves to putting on this festival every year. The main sponsor is the Blues Society of the Ozarks, who host a number of blues events every year, including a blues picnic at Ritter Springs Park every month.
The versatile location added to the transition of the show also. It took place in the North Bass Pro parking lot. There was plenty of parking for all the bands and the audience.
The stage crew also helped create a on-time and strict show. They quickly moved bands from set to set. They carried all the gear on and off the stage and set it up.
The stage crew was also in charge of band hospitality. “We make sure the bands get whatever they need; like water, beer, food and air conditioning”, said stage manage Mike Wallace, “We make sure that they have a good time at the show too.”
Even though it is hard work, the crew feels like it pays off in the end with the experiences they receive.
“Great things have come from this job for me. I watched a Texas and Oklahoma football game with Buddy Guy,” said another member of the stage crew and 1979 graduate from Glendale, Andy Collins. “And when Johnny Winters played here, he sat in my grandmother’s wooden chair on stage. He just had hip surgery and couldn’t stand up to play.”
Most people would expect to find an assortment of barbeque food available but this festival’s food choices were a little more unique. Most people in the audience weren’t eating a stack of ribs; they were eating a hot and freshly made funnel cake. Other food was available though. The restaurant Millie’s catered and of course you could eat as many hotdogs and hamburgers as your stomach could handle.
“The show was solid,” said Michael Crocker (12). “Everyone seemed to be in a great mood and I felt like I was completely welcomed there.”