Serenading sounds
Festival’s music lineup to entertain most musical tastes
T his year’s entertainment lineup for Fourche River Days, on the courthouse square in Perryville, will showcase music genres and acts that encompass nearly all musical tastes.
Those attending the festival might find their new favorite band, reminisce with an established band or even get to meet their idol.
Entertainment chairman and emcee James Emerson said he has enjoyed the event for more than a decade, and this lineup is one of the festival’s best in recent years.
“I’ve had the privilege to emcee the festival for 11 years and to perform on the stage several times, but to see the faces of not only adults having fun, but to see the faces of children enjoying the kids’ events and having fun, makes all the work well worth it,” he said. “This year’s entertainment lineup is one of the best we have ever had. Whatever your preference of music is, you are bound to hear it at the festival.”
On April 21 and 22, Fourche River Days will entertain the community of Perry County for the 13th year through fun, food and music. April 22 will kick off the entertainment portion of the event with Rock ’n’ Roll Night.
HEATWVE
Beginning Rock ’n’ Roll Night on Friday will be HEATWVE. This punk rock band from Perryville consists of three Perryville High School students. While Jase Piker, who is the songwriter, vocalist and guitar player for the band, has been performing for more than eight years, bass guitarist and vocalist Drake Henderson and drummer Dayne Threadgill are new to the scene and look to show the crowd what their music is all about. Piker said the overall goal is for the crowd and the band to enjoy themselves.
“When we get on the stage and perform, we just want to have fun,” Piker said.
“We just want the people in the audience to have fun,” Henderson added.
Look for this local band to turn some heads and get the festival’s musical entertainment started off well.
TotteN
Rock ’n’ Roll Night’s headliner this year will be the Conway band TotteN. Band members released their first album in 2016 and are working on their second album. The band is made up of four members: Seth LaCook, Steven McGhee, Hayden Hester and featured bassist Jeff McGhee. Jeff is a special guest bassist from the band Southern Wind. Audience members can look forward to getting out of their chairs and onto their feet for this Friday-night headliner.
The Boomers
This 20-year-old band will get things started on Saturday with a mixture of traditional folk music, as well as songs from such writers as Bob Dylan, Tom Paxton, John Prine, Jesse Winchester and Greg Brown.The Boomers are made up of five members: J.D. Hatfield, Joe Lombardi, Mike Schaefer, Conrad Shumaker and Sara Shumaker. Fans will hear a wide range of music from the band.
Six Ways From Sunday
With Six Ways From Sunday, music fans can enjoy the four-piece band’s rock, and also the blues. The band includes Brian Adams on guitar and vocals, Dallas Smith on drums, Rick Smith on bass, and Mike Brimer on guitar and vocals.
Donnie Lee Strickland
Recording artist Donnie Lee Strickland has had the opportunity to use his voice to entertain crowds across the country. Strickland has showcased his talent on the Music City Hayride Show, Branson Country USA and Branson’s Country Nights LIVE. He even received three nominations at the 2016 Josie Music Awards, including Country Male Artist of the Year and Country Male Entertainer of the Year. Strickland will perform country music with songs from Conway Twitty and more. Strickland’s soothing vocals will have fans begging for a copy of his second album, which will be released this year.
Jason Campbell
The headliner for the festival is recording artist and songwriter Jason Campbell. Campbell is from Perryville and has a wealth of experience in songwriting and recording albums. He even wrote two songs for country music artist Sammy Kershaw’s album I Want My Money
Back. Along with working with Kershaw, Campbell has performed with artists such as Justin Moore, Buddy Jewell, David Allan Coe, John Michael Montgomery and John Anderson. Campbell said he does not plan to quit working anytime soon.
“Gaining new fans is my first priority, and to do that, you have to keep the material coming,” he said. “That’s just what I am going to do until the day I hang up the ol’ guitar.”