Changes brewing in the air
Live music and the making thereof is an absolute joy, a passion, a blessing, a responsibility and a real pain at times. I picked up the desire on the front porch of the Wiles’ place, seven miles West of Shady Point. My uncle Frank and my aunts Elinor and Eva would pick and grin for hours, and I was hooked.
Luckily, I had a little talent and got to be a part of some awesome bands, some for a few years but most short lived. It takes the right amount of dedicated, talented musicians with no problems of inflated egos. It is a delicate mix. The very best of them were short-term, but I had house band jobs with absolutely NO equipment to move, and three- to five-night-aweek gigs that paid above the low average for the time. Those were the good ol’ days.
However, it seems to be a time of change, of turmoil. Maybe even a “Season of the Witch.” You get 10 extra points if you know who wrote that song.
Some changes, rearrangements and moving on-moving out are typical of the business of live music. There are some bands that are making changes in personal and band names, so I’ll do my best to stay up with them and let you know who and where, when it becomes available. It is just the nature of the beast.
As for live music this week, Dawn’s Diner in Red Oak will have “The
Stagemasters” on Friday. This band plays some of the very best in country music. On Saturday, Paden Baggett will entertain the dancers. There will be two nights of music, dinner and dancing. The food alone makes it worth the short drive. The music both nights will be from 7-10 p.m.
“The Tribadours” will be at Boondocks in Fort Smith, Ark., on Saturday. It’s a super place to listen to this band and dine on cajun and creole cuisine. The band will play coastal and western music. What you ask can this be? Well, take a drive and hear it for yourself. The band will have an entertaining show from 7-10 p.m.
Tonight, catch Randy Fennell playing at LaHuerta’s Mexican Restaurant in Poteau. Randy will bring classic country and rock music mixed. He has a great voice and is a very seasoned guitar and steel guitar player that spans several generations. Catch his show at suppertime from 6-9 p.m.
Muldrow City Limits will feature “Backroads” for its Saturday dance. This establishment has the very best dance floor and is a NS/ND venue. This is a very good band and a place safe enough to let your mom go. The music will start at 7 p.m.
“Oklahoma Moon” will bring its classic country music to the West Fork (Ark.) Lil’ Ole Opry this Saturday. It’s just a short ride up Interstate 49 from Alma. This place always has a great country show. To keep it interesting, the band has different musicians every week. “Oklahoma Moon” will be the house band this week and will feature singers, L.D Clay, Doug Lovell and Jim Huff. There will be lots of country going on. The music will start at 7 p.m.
The “Libby Starkes Band” will be just north of the Arkansas River at the Sallisaw Veterans of Foreign War Post 4518 Building starting at 9 p.m. Saturday. Libby can’t be beat as a singer and has a great band. Her show will fit a casino or a dance hall. There will always be a good time with the band’s awesome music.
Well,that ain’t all I got to say, but it’s a good place to stop. I hope you have a great week.
For additional information about any live-music events or to let me know of such venues, call or text message me at (918) 649-5736 or e-mail me at tj.wiles61@outlook. com.