Mulberry River area busy again in April

by Connie Las Schneider

If you enjoy live music in a beautiful outdoor setting, check out three non-stop weekends of music in April on the Mulberry River.

One of Country music’s top acts, the 2010 and 2011 GRAMMY Award winning Zac Brown Band (ZBB) will perform outdoors along with Blackberry Smoke at Mulberry Mountain on Friday, April 15. A fast rising star on county charts, ZBB’s brand of music has cross-over appeal for lovers of blue grass, jam bands and reggae as well as die-hard country fans.

Well known for original songs like “Chicken Fried” and “Free”, ZBB may seem like an over-night success, but the 6 member Georgia bred band has worked 13 years to reach stardom, according to the band’s website.

In 2010, the band won both a Grammy and a Country Music Award (CMA) for “Best New Artist.” On Feb. 13, 2011, ZBB won their second Grammy for “Best Country Collaboration” with co-winner Alan Jackson for their hit song “As She’s Walking Away” from their album You Get What You Give, which also features a song with Jimmy Buffett.

2011 is shaping up to be another big year for the band. ZBB performed at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Awards with legendary singer James Taylor. On April 16, ZBB will headline with Kenny Chesney at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington Texas for their Going Coastal Tour which will continue throughout the summer. The band will also play at Hyde Park in London for a two day concert in June with Kings of Leon.

ZBB’s April 15 concert appearance will be the first one-night concert event at Mulberry Mountain. Several lesser-known bands will also perform at Mulberry Mountain’s smaller Back Woods stage before and after Friday night’s ZBB concert. Camping is also available.

Camping outdoors and good southern cooking seem part of the ZBB experience. The band already has its own line of southern style cooking products like GA Clay Rub, Brown Sauce and a Southern Ground cookbook. These good-hearted southern pickers also plan to break ground in Georgia soon on Camp Southern Ground, a free summer camp for children with neurobehavioral and learning disabilities.

Mulberry Mountain is clearly ZBB’s kind of place. Home of Wakarusa in June and the Yonder Mountain String Band Heritage Festival in the fall, this venue has already perfected the logistics and art of a great outdoor music and camping experience.

“This is the way country music is meant to be heard; outdoors under the stars. We are looking forward to an unforgettable night of music in a truly unique Ozark Mountain setting,” said Mulberry Mountain Event Director Dewey Patton.

For tickets and camping information, visit this website.

• BYRDFEST –The Schwag
That same weekend, April 15-17, Byrd’s Adventure Center north of Ozark will have its own laid-back music and camping festival. “Byrd’s Fest” will feature Grateful Dead tribute band, The Schwag, a Bob Marley tribute with Jus’Marley and several other bands performing Friday and Saturday.

The Schwag is a St Louis area band dedicated to the “music and vibe of the Grateful Dead. Like the Dead, the “band’s live performances emphasize improvisation and spontaneity,” said the Schwag’s Facebook page.

Byrd’s is located 20 miles south of Mulberry Mountain and will provide shuttle service to and from Mulberry Mountain for the concert. Contact the Byrd’s website for more info or call (479) 667-4066.

• Mulberry River Jam
On April 29-30 Fayettechill’s "Mulberry River Jam" Music Festival will be at Byrd’s, with 12 acts from classic rock, country, blue grass to techo performances throughout the weekend.

Camping will be available.

The two-day event will feature 12 bands, hiking, mountain biking, food vendors, and other outdoor activities.

“We wanted to create a festival with a relaxed, outdoor theme,” said Clint Keller, one of the organizers of the Mulberry River Jam. “It’s really going to be about more than just music and camping because of how great the festival site is.”

See the Fayettechill website for more details.

• Nature Music
If the sound of white water rapids is music to your ears, the Mulberry River has a lot of offer in April.

April 29 through May 1, Turner Bend will host the School of Whitewater Paddling presented by the Arkansas Canoe Club Beginning and advanced classes in kayaking and canoeing will be given. Contact the canoe club website for more details.