OktoberFest – Downtown Poteau
Don’t know ‘bout you but I am loving this weather that we are blessed to enjoy. Starting to look a lil’ like Dust Bowl Days, well years. From 1930-1936, Oklahoma (Texas and Nebraska) were hard hit by drought. Must have been climate change! Naw, most was just nature being hard on us. Through better farming and ranching, some of that has been reduced. But these few weeks of drought are being hard for cattle and crops. Sure gonna drive the price of a hamburger up. And steaks. AND hay. We will adapt, survive and cope with these times. “This too shall pass”. But the cool, dry conditions create a perfect setting for Live Music on Dewey Ave. in Downtown Poteau. The Oktoberfest is the biggest music event of the year for us. It is family friendly activities and kids under 12 get in free. Bigger kids(adults) only have to pay $5. There are 7 bands so that’s less than a dollar a piece. Decent price to hear the best that LeFlore Co. and Fort Smith has to offer. And since this event is fashioned after the Big one in Germany there will be adult beverages available in a section set aside to maintain control and a safe atmosphere. It has gone well in the past. I would recommend it to everyone. See ya there!
The music starts at one with a bang. “The Mark Albertson Trio” takes the stage at 1 pm. Mark is one of the very best guitar pickers for a hundred miles. His vocals handle a wide range from blues to rock. Mark has played Poteau several times and I expect a good crowd for his set.
“Grannie’s Nightmare” starts at 2:20 pm. They are the hardest working, most interactive Rock and Roll band around. Rocky Sumpter/bass, Brad Sumpter/take off lead guitar and Dale Fraze
Sr./drums are a favorite here in Poteau and in Fort Smith. Catch their hour of Classic Rock.
“Sons of Turner” is next at 3:40 pm. You can hear this Father/Son duo often from NW Arkansas, Fort Smith and Poteau. Talented, oft times funny, they bring originals and covers that are from Americana to Folk and Mt. music. Guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser.
“MJ and the Geezers” play at 4 pm. Another acoustic bunch with guitar, harmonica, mandolin and vocals so pleasing that it sounds like wind singing thru the pines on Cavanal Hill. More songs from a wide range of music that you will prob be a favorite. Don’t miss this bunch.
“Live Wire/ft. Felisha McKenzie” has the 5 o’clock slot. Felisha has been a favorite around Poteau for several years. She credits her Dad, Bear as the biggest influence for her love of music. Always being in a single or duet , “Live Wire” is her first band. Her passion for music and her delivery will turn heads and quiet a room. Felisha has got talent. Great band, too! Wayne Campbell/drums, Robert Staton/guitar and Damon Shores/bass are a solid foundation to showcase Felisha. If ya don’t like these folks, I’ll gather your eggs for a week. “The Brains Band” led by 40/29 tv celebrity Brett Rains will kick off at 7:20. Brett, on his Gibson Les Paul, plays Blues and Rock jams that wander from song to song. He has thrown away a set list and gets creative mixing tunes that always surprises me in the “why didn’t I think of that” Dept. Now I don’t know for sure BUT I can see Dale Fraze in the mix as drummer for several of these bands. Watch for him.
Top bill for the Oktoberfest is “The Wanda Watson Band”. This Lady of the Blues hails from the Tulsa area but has played most of Eastern Okla. and Western Ark. She has played for several years at the Ft. Smith Riverfront Blues Festival. Her passion for the blues is obvious. She delivers a song that will make ya wanna cry or dance. This may be her first time to Poteau. It is a joy to hear her and she brings a stage full of
talent with her in the band. Her set starts at 9 and last til 11 pm. Hope to see ya there.
Live music this week! “Connie Abbott and Country Pride” rides again. They play this Friday 7th at the Fort Smith Senior Activity Center on Cavanaugh Rd. It starts at 7 pm. Dawn’s Diner has a big line up. Thurs. 6th- “59 South”, Friday 7th- “Earl Hearon and the Sound of Country” and Sat. 8th- “RearVue Mirror”. So, Red Oak is the place for Great Food and awesome Music. Git you some! Music starts at 6:30 or so each nite.
“Oklahoma Moon”will be at will play at Neumieir’s Rib Room on Friday 7th at 7 pm. Then at Chaffee Crossing on Sat. 8th at 11 am. That’s all she wrote. For info contact 918-649-5736 or tj.wiles61@outlook.com.
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