21 years of blues on the riverfront
by June 26, 2011 5:41 pm 67 views
story and photos by Joel Rafkin
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The sound of the blues permeated the thick muggy air at Harry E. Kelley Park on Friday and Saturday nights for the 21st Annual Riverfront Blues Festival.
Local and regional talent comprised the bulk of the lineup this year. Friday night featured acts Shannon Boshears and Voodoo Sauce, both from Little Rock, Tyrannosaurus Chicken of Barling and the headliner, W.C. Clark of Austin, Texas.
Saturday night’s lineup consisted of Oreo Blue Trio from Fort Smith, Mark Albertson of Roland, Wanda Watson formerly of Fort Smith but who now calls home Tulsa, Earl and Them of Fayetteville, R.J. Mischo also from Fayetteville and headliner Marcia Ball of Austin, Texas.
Noticeably absent this year was a spotlight to illuminate the bands. The tough economic times have taken their toll — from the lineup to the lighting. That said, the music was awesome as it always is and the fans showed up and gladly paid the $10 admission fee to immerse themselves in sound, festival food and souvenirs.
"(It is) certainly enjoyable. Couldn’t get better weather or groups," said Jim Macklin of Fort Smith as he purchased a cold beer from B.A.C.A. members manning the beer tent.
Sherry Fletcher of Malvern, Ark. was pleasantly surprised to find the blues festival by accident. Fletcher, a huge blues fan, was in town to drop off a friend when she heard of the event and decided to stay overnight.
Even the young appreciate the blues. Such was the case with 1-year-old Keira Lamb who attended her first blues festival. Lamb was having a blast dancing and running around with her mother Jayme Lamb of Fort Smith. Someone even attached a folded dollar bill to Keira’s dress strap where it stayed put all night — a testament to the decent people who attend each year.
