Freedom Fest Jam Showcases Young Talent

Band, ‘Xcluded,’ Consists Of Incoming Seventh Graders

FARMINGTON — Attendance was sparse during the heat of the day when Freedom Fest opened with music at Allen Holland Field but picked up considerably as the community gathered for fireworks.

A good sized crowd attended the pyrotechnics show after the sun went down on June 30.

"It will be fun for the band people that get the hang of it," said George Shaw, a member of the Farmington Kiwanis who was operating the sound board.

Xcluded, a five member band of incoming Farmington seventh graders, opened Freedom Fest with the southern rock classic, " Sweet Home Alabama" then segued into “I Got A Feeling.” The band then finished the set with a lively rendition of Joan Jett’s, "I Love Rock n' Roll."

Band members are Quincy Graves, bass; Trey Waggle, guitar; Coleman Warren, drums; Jake Phillips, guitar; and Sam Shaw, lead vocals. Jacob Phaneuf, who operates Inside/Out Studios in Farmington, said the group plays mostly a rock style of music.

" It's more for fun right now, to get them experience playing in front of people, and being active in the community with something positive to do," Phaneuf said. "I'm kind of managing them."

Phaneuf said the group is in the process of recording a three-song demo. The story line was beginning to sound like a true life version of the motion picture, School of Rock, as Phaneuf raved about the boys' musical ability, recalling he was barely getting started at their age.

"For their age, it's ridiculous. I think they do great," Phaneuf said.

Grace Bedell, another vocalist whom Phaneuf has mentored over the past year, sang during Freedom Fest. Bedell, who attends the Benton County School of the Arts, is an incoming sixth grader at Farmington. Jordan Johnson, her older sister, said her favorite song performed by Bedell is “Give Your Heart A Break” by Demi Lovato. Like many vocalists, Bedell has been singing in church longer than she has been performing elsewhere. She lists Lovato and Little Lang among her musical influences.

Tony and Leslie Lannutti, of Farmington, came to hear their daughter Emily perform three solos. Emily is an incoming seventh grader at Farmington and sang “Traveling Soldier,” “Your Hands” and “Born To Fly.”

Emily has been singing since she was old enough to talk and has sung with the Arkansas Children's Choir and performed solos at Farmington Baptist Church. Emily lists Carrie Underwood and J.J. Heller as musical influences.

" She was singing solos and we decided we wanted to take it to the next level,” said Leslie Lannutti.

The family brought her to Inside/Out Studio where she has worked with Phaneuf.