Jazz at the Museum tonight; Shane Bailey Memorial Bash slated Friday at the Fort

It’s time for “Dr. Al Grzech and the Al Grzech Trio” in the beautiful historic Hotel Lowery. Tonight, the place to be is downtown Poteau on Dewey Avenue.

Put on by Donna and David Deaton and the LeFlore County Historical Society, “The Al Grzech Trio” with special guests will bring you a show that includes tidbits of info about the songs, writers and musicians that performed them. It’s entertaining and educational, and an awesome couple of hours of jazz. It’s a free event with snacks and drinks available. It all will start at 6:30 p.m.

I apologize for accidentally putting this event as being last Tuesday.

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I can tell you first hand about a benefit to help when troubles with health or loss occur. That’s what makes this “benefit that just keeps on giving” so very special.

The Shane Bailey Memorial Bash will be Friday in The Bakery District, 70 South 7th Ave in Fort Smith, Arkansas

After the loss of a talented son, gone way too soon, Terri and Don Bailey found a way to keep Shane’s memory alive in a very special way.

The Shane Bailey Memorial Music Society was formed in his honor and has assisted many young musicians and bands with education, funding, equipment and instruments in the Fort Smith Area — all in an effort to foster creative music and artistic expression. All the donations will go for this cause. It is a joy to see the outpouring of love and kindness.

Make plans to attend, donate or just enjoy the live music at this free concert. There’s always plenty of offers to help on stage.

It’s an honor not taken lightly to get the invitation to play. This year is packed with talent and the spirit of giving from some of the area’s best musicians. Some of them have been helped along by The Shane Bailey Memorial Society and want to show their appreciation and what better way than to donate time and talent to the event.

The music will start with “The Don Bailey and Rising Stars” at 5:30 p.m., followed by “Freaky Flyers” at 6 p.m, “The Rainkings” at 6:50 p.m., “The David Tyson Quartet” at 7:50 p.m. and “Unknown Causes” at 9 p.m. That’s an awesome line-up!

Like any good benefit, there will be a full bar and food trucks available, door prizes and games.

The Shane Bailey Memorial Music Society Bash will start at 5:30 p.m. live from The Bakery District!

Be there!

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As for October’s musical offerings and festivals, “The Wright Family Gospel Singing” will be Oct. 4 in Shady Point.

“J.J. Taylor and Bourbon Highway” will play at The Tahlequah OcktoberFest on Oct. 3.

On Oct. 11, it’s the TeleTime Fest in Ozark Arkansas, with a bushel and a peck of guitar pickers.

The 48th Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival will take place east of Waldron, Arkansas, from Oct. 8-11.

The Peacemaker Festival will be Oct 10 on the Riverfront Stage and amphitheater in Fort Smith, Arkansas

“Flying High in ’25” is the theme for this year’s Poteau BalloonFest on Oct. 17-18 with live music again this year.

There’s all this and more! Look for my weekly column for more information about these events as they draw nearer!

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As for live music this week, Muldrow City Limits had a record-breaking number of dancers last Saturday night. Over 150 fine folks attended. It sure made it more fun and rewarding for “Backroads.” This Saturday night, It’s Wesley Trout and “The Wes Is More” gang. Wes is a great bandleader and frontman. He always rounds up the best musicians around for you to dance and be entertained.The music will start at 7 p.m. It will be a hillbilly hoedown with a potluck dinner. I think my mom Wanda and Raymond are bringing baked possum and sweet potatoes.

Crocky’s Cafe in Hackett, Arkansas, will have “The Common Thread Bluegrass Band” take the stage on Friday night. This is an awesome band with that high lonesome sound and lightning fast picking that will take your breath away. Caution — trying to buck dance to their fast sounds might throw your sacroiliac out and cause you to have a foolish grin on your face! The music will start about 6 p.m. P.S. — The food is great, too.

“Make it a Double” has a house band weekend beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday. You can hear them and dance to the music at the McAlester Veterans of Foreign Wars Building. It is always a good time when Dave and Connie Abbott play.

The Fort Smith Arkansas Senior Activity Center will have “The Lawman Band.” This band will present some of the area’s best country music that can be heard. The music will start at 7 p.m.

Step into the Brew Haus at the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair in Fort Smith and experience one of the fair’s most exciting new attractions! Under the big tent, fairgoers can kick back and enjoy a wide selection of craft beers proudly brewed right here in Arkansas, paired perfectly with the sounds of incredible live music from talented local and regional artists. There’s too many musicians and bands to mention, but there will be two bands/musicians every night beginning at 6 p.m. until Saturday.

That’s much more than I intended to say, but I can’t take it back — so there.

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.

Thanks for supporting local live music and all the musicians.

Hasta La Vista, baby!

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