By TERRY JOE WILES
Wow!
It’s hard to believe this is my 340th live-music column on music and musicians in the area with more to come!
Read more: Many events scheduled for OctoberNow, I don’t know how many years that is, I just learned to cipher through the 6s in Shady Point, but it has been a blast. I just figured out that with a stick-on press pass I can get in free, a good seat and two requests on songs. I will be dangerous now!
I did get to hear my favorite band last Friday. “MJ and the Geezers” played a couple of faultless sets of tunes from Lucinda Williams to the Allman Brothers. The group makes it seem so natural. Great guitar work, harmonies as only a married couple deliver, and it’s just a fun time with these folks.
They play again in Talihina next Saturday. More info below. I enjoyed it, y’all.
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In the list of “you-just-should’ve-been-there” events, the sounds of “Al Grzech Trio with Don Bailey” wafted around the beautiful LeFlore County Museum as one of the biggest Tastes of LeFlore County events took place on Thursday night. The food was to die for, the service was excellent and the live music was jazz — and it was awesome. There’s always next year.
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TeleTime was part of the Ozark (Arkansas) Festival in the Square. The guitar pickers were on fire, and Ben Haggard finished a great set with “Working Man Blues.” His daddy would be proud.
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Peacemaker had a better than average crowd for their musician offering last weekend in Fort Smith, Arkansas There were a lot of talented bands and singers for your bucks.
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Here are some more live-music events coming up this month:
On Oct. 25, Muldrow City Limits will have its Halloween Costume Party at 7 p.m. “Dusty Holster” will be the band, and it is always a good time. Dress up and be somebody else. You might win first prize.
The Spiro Eagles Lodge will celebrate Halloween with a dance on Halloween night. “The Stagemasters” will be playing, and this band is always in costume. Join in the fun. The dance will start at 7 p.m.
“Rhythm Coalition” will be at J.J.’s Grill in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Halloween. I expect it to be a blast. The music will start at 7:30 p.m.
The third Fort Smith (Arkansas) Sunday Blues Jam will be Sunday at The Bakery District, located at 70 South 7th Avenue. This one will be put on by Jeff “Rat Sass” Coley, one heck of a guitar picker and an awesome MC. He will have a house band of pros, and the sign up sheet is for everybody. The blues will be played from 1 until 4:30 p.m. Make plans to catch this show.
Right after the Blues Jam at 5 p.m, The Coffee House Gig will take the stage in the Fort Smith Coffee Company in the Bakery District. It’s a chance for young local musicians and singers to try to use their new skills and play some tunes. Support this great cause and come see the results of what even a little effort to help these musicians will produce. The next generation of musician talent. It will start at 5 p.m. It’s just a small part of support offered by The Shane Bailey Musical Society.
Then next Monday, it’s the Big Bear’s Open Mic Show. It has just relocated to The Front Porch Theater, located at 4405 U.S. 71 in Alma, Arkansas There’s a different set of musicians and singers, so it’s a new show every night. Big Bear, Jimmy Huff, is an awesome MC and has a large following of music lovers. There will be lots of LeFlore County musicians showing up, and it is worth the short ride. Grab your friends and whoever can still see to drive after dark, let them have the keys. The music will start at 7 p.m. See you there.
This week, take a ride in a balloon as the Poteau BalloonFest will take place on Friday and Saturday out at the LeFlore County Fairgrounds. It is the longest running balloon festival in Oklahoma, and “The Farmers Almanac” predicts sunny skies with easy winds for liftoff! The state contest for Kansas City Barbecue Society will take place as well as mud races, a carnival midway and food everywhere — and it’s a very family-friendly event. Live music will start at 4 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.
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As for live music this week, if you decide to eat at The Mighty Crab on Saturday in Fort Smith, Arkansas, you’re in for a special treat, I mean beside the seafood. “Oklahoma 59 South” will have a special guest, Earl Hearon. Earl and Randy Fennell have been performing as a duo around the area. This time, it’s with the full band. Get ready for some dy-no-mite country music. The live music will be from 6-9 p.m.
Just over the mountains in Talihina, My Crystal Chandelier Coffee Shop will have “The Back to Nature Series” concert. My favorite band, you guessed it, “MJ and the Geezers,” will be on the beautiful patio playing its cool style of music just right for the venue. The baristas will serve gourmet coffee or just hot and black while you enjoy the live music, which will start at 6 p.m.
“The Libby Starks Band” will be at LaHuerta’s Mexican Grill on Garrison Avenue in Fort Smith on Friday starting at 7 p.m. It will be the best show in the area.
“Make It a Double”, Connie and Dave Abbott, will be at the McAlester Veterans of Foreign Wars in Krebs on Saturday, so go early and eat at Pete’s Place. It will be a great date night. This duo plays for all the country dances — line dancing, two-stepping, waltzes and “The Twist.” The music will start at 7 p.m.
Muldrow City Limits will have “Backroads” for the Saturday night dance. This band is a favorite here, so expect more than 100 fans to show up and have a good time. It’s a NS/ND venue. It will start at 7 p.m.
That ain’t all that I got to say! Thanks for supporting local live music.
For additional information about live-music events or to let me know about any other such venues happening, call me or text me at (918) 647-5736, reach out to me on Facebook or e-mail me at tj.wiles@outlook.com.
