By TERRY JOE WILES
“Backslider’s Wine,” which features Randy Smith, Reggie Wells and yours truly, will put on the “Backslider’s Wine World Reunion Tour 2025” at the Shady Point Community Center on Sunday. It’s FREE to the public and will start at 2 p.m. after church, so all will be able to make it.
Joining us will be all the musicians that played in the country-dance band version that was popular for several years. Ricky Ward/guitar, Randy Fennell/Steel, Max Harris/bass, Burl Spears/bass, Dale Fraze Sr./drums, Norm Korf /drums, Dusty Klutts/drums and Wayne Campbell/drums continued the tradition of enlightenment and entertainment for the masses. It was fun. The music was a joy, and the friendship lives today. Hope to get to take pictures with you.
There will be chairs and water, bring that flavored water that you drink — or Red Bull, it gives you dancing feet!
Y’all all come!
- • •
Another band with local ties, “Southridge,” will have a reunion at the Cactus Club out on Midland Boulevard in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on Saturday. The original band, Robert Wright/bass, Bubby Patterson/guitar, “Sebo” Alan Sebastion/piano and Terry Flynn/drums will be together for the first time in 20 years. The band will play from 9 p.m. until midnight. This is a great band with awesome talent and a one-night only chance to hear these guys. It will be a great night of live music!
- • •
“Hillbilly Vegas” started its “Feels Good Tour” this past Saturday. The band will have four dates this week at some of the biggest festivals and pubs (roadhouses) in England and Wales. The band will perform songs from the album, entitled “Feels Good,” which will include the title song as a single and add a couple of songs to the set list for the shows. The band is HUGE in Great Britain with the fan-base growing every day. From pictures I’ve seen so far, the boys are relaxing over tea and crumpets and shepherd’s pie. The band still shows a little bit of the real hillbilly style and personality that is so endearing to the masses. It will be a whirlwind tour with interviews, radio previews of the songs and six onstage shows. Way to go, guys.
Catch all their music on your favorite streaming platform.
- • •
The 2025 Poteau High School All-Class Reunion is fast approaching, and it’s going to include live music as well as a Friday night Poteau Pirates football game.
The Pirate Room at the LeFlore County Museum at Hotel Lowrey will have food, friends and fun!
It all will happen on Aug. 29.
There will be a “Pirate Party” at the Shop Dog Brewery, located at 315 Dewey Avenue in downtown Poteau. Larry Taylor and “The Tribadours,” Ronnie Bill Barber, “Poss,” Mark Adams, Burl Spears, maybe Richard and Beth Peck and more will jam from 6 p.m until closing. There could be more possibly — Maybe Billy Hoffman?
Speaking of Billy Hoffman, “Sierra Bravo” will play on Aug. 30 for the Reunion Dance. Billy, Felisha McKenzie, Scot Francis and Dennis Dooley will keep the dance floor crowded with their mix of tunes — from country and rock. For more information, go to the alumni’s Facebook Page.
Preregister is available with options. It’s going to be a good time with long-time friends on this special night. Hope to see ya there.
- • •
In the “That’s-What-Families-Do-Around-Here” department, I saw where Sandra Dismuke-Coyle, “Sean and The Asphalt Cowboys,” who will be joined by brothers and even in-laws, will bring music to Sandra’s mom. Great love was shown and a lot of cool tunes of country, gospel and praise for the Lord above. Her mom’s in a nursing home, and all the other residents got for an afternoon of music. That’s just what families do!
- • •
As for live music this week, “The Black Diamonds” will be jamming at The Coffee Cup on Friday. I love this band. “The Dead and The Famous” show will start at 7 p.m.
“The Tribadours” will BE the entertainment on Dewey Avenue this weekend. On Friday, the band will be at The Shop Dog Brewing Co. starting at 6 p.m. There’s a great rustic look to the 315 Dewey Building, and it will be cool inside with cold craft beer and snacks available and the room sounds just awesome. It’s where it’s happening.
Then on Saturday, just across the street at 300 Dewey, “The Tribadours” will play at Warehouse Willy’s. This will be a “Last-Saturday-of-the-Month” engagement, so mark your calendars. “The Tribadours” are a favorite here, so grab a bite and enjoy their music. Saturday’s show will kick off at 6 p.m.
“Rhythm Coalition” will have a show across the line at J.J.’s Grill in Fort Smith. This band is entertaining as all get out, and will be playing country, red dirt, jazzy instrumentals, R&B and a little rock. The show will begin at 7 p m.
Crocky’s Cafe in Hackett, Arkansas, will have “Uncle Fudge” on the outside stage. There will be great grub and awesome music, which will start at 6 p.m.
“Bourbon Rain” will have a show at Muldrow City Limits on Saturday. The crowd loves to dance to this band’s songs. This is the busiest dance hall going now, but there’s a big dance floor and lots of seats — so get there early. The music will start at 7 p.m.
Just a little west of my house, “Make It a Double”, Connie and Dave
Abbott, will play at the McAlester Veterans of Foreign Wars Building on Saturday. The last Saturday of the month is a regular gig for them here. There will be awesome country songs and lots of dancin’ going on. Be There! It all will begin at 7 p.m.
“Sierra Bravo” will play at La Heurta’s Mexican Restaurant in Poteau on Saturday. This band will draw a crowd of fans — and family — to enjoy a meal and listen to the music. There will be food most all day. The music will begin at 7 p.m.
- • •
I can’t miss this chance to say that my heart goes out to the family of Michael Davidson, the senior pastor at Faith Community Church of the Nazarene and a former LeFlore County Emergency Management director. He passed away on Saturday. He was a dear friend and spiritual advisor to me. Musically, I might add that, ahh, Michael sure could sing LOUD! All glory to Jesus.
R.I.P., Michael.
That is absolutely all I got to say. I am at a loss for words.
Thanks for supporting live music.
For additional information about any live-music events or to let me know about any such venues, call or text message me at (918) 649-5736, message me through Facebook or e-mail me at tj.wiles61@outlook.com.
