Father’s Day is coming Sunday, June 15th. That always me a lil’ apprehensive. I haven’t got a card- Yet! But with all the dna and Ancestry that ya hear about, my concern is well-wrought. Anyway, family and Turkey Track, it brings me to a memory of hooking up with my Cuzzin’ Larry Watson(He was a member of “The Turkey Track Band”) and making the circle from Turkey Track Blue Grass and Gospel Festival(Waldron, Ark.) to Tuskahoma Music Festival(Choctaw Nation Capital). My very first time attending. It started out on Thursday with the “Turkey Track Band” and 3 day later closed out with “Rhonda Vincent and the Rage”. More awesome bluegrass music than you could shake a tail feather at. But that was just on stage! The real fun was going trailer to trailer, camp to camp, Tent to tent of family and friends that would sit in a circle passing songs around and play 12 hrs. a day. The only breaks would be to eat and a nap or two. Back then, I was playing Country and thot I was hot stuff, but these musicians were what this festival was all about! I sure did miss my Jazzmaster and amp. I did play flattop til my fingers were bloody and then got to give Linda Lancaster short breaks on Dawghouse bass. That lady was gracious, seasoned and smart. She sometimes used a leather glove on her right hand to minimize the damage. It was a blast! But back to family, it was the last time that I got to play with Cuzzin Larry. Uncle Frank and Aunt Bert Wiles, Aunt Elinor and Robert were sitting in as pickers and singers. All but Aunt Bert have gone on before us. A host of folks that reeled me in and made me feel welcome. Families just don’t get together anymore. I know there is a lot going on to distract us but that’s no excuse. If your Father is still around, make plans on sharing the day with him. Or it can be a day of remembrance. Watch my fb page, I’ll have a lotta pics of my Dad, Billy Joe, and me while I was growing up. My favorite was of him helping me with tying my tie for Senior Prom. He was a good man and I still miss him everyday. I still can’t do the tie thang.
Happy Fathers Day to all y’all. Live Music this week: Muldrow City Limits will have a Father’s Day Dance and Pot Luck Supper on Sat. 14th. Great back, “Backroads” will provide Country music. It’s a cool gathering of folks that like to eat and dance. Music starts at 7 pm. Bring your Father. It’s a NS/ND event. “The Stagemasters” will help celebrate Father’s Day at Ft. Smith Senior Activity Center on Cavanaugh rd. Friday 13th is BIRTHDAY Nite for the month of June, too. It’s the start of a new era for the band. There may be a few surprise guests. So, join your friends at the dance. Pay homage to Fathers everywhere and blow out the birthday candles. Dance starts at 7 pm. “Rhythm Coalition” will take their offering of cool and groovy music to Garrison Ave. when they take the stage at Hero’s. On Friday 13th, this band will be playing a sampling of Blues, R&B, Red Dirt, Country Rock, Jazzy originals and more. Real entertainment! The music kicks off at 8 pm. Catch their show. “The Libby Starkes Band” bring their show to La Heurta’s on the Ave. Garrison Ave, that is. On Friday 13th, the music starts at 7 pm. Great time of the year for an evening meal with awesome music just as the sun sets ‘cross the Ark. River. Libby brings her high energy and always entertaining set of favorites that never disappoint. Grab your friends and make a beeline to La Heurta’s. Crocky’s Cafe/Hackett can not only throw an Epic MudBug shucking party, every weekend, some of the area’s very best talent appear on the outside stage. This Sat. 14th, it’s “Paul and Back in the Day”. Country and Rock that will make ya wish that the designated dance area could be larger. Take your family, invite your friends or take Dad to a good meal and great music. Sunday just happens to be the 3rd Sunday Blues Jam in the Bakery District/ Ft Smith. Ya get to hear masters and beginners on stage together. Hosted by Gary Hutchinson and a cast of seasoned musicians that interact with other area musicians to make a D-y-n-o-m-i-t-e afternoon of the blues. Dale Fraze Sr., Mark Albertson, Brett Rains, Rick
Endel, Annie Kobus, Ralph Hert and many more. It’s a family friendly event. Rain or Shine! Again, I regret but, That’s NOT all that I have to say, I’m gonna shut up anyway. Y’all all get out there and Support Live Music. Contact me by text 918-649-5736, fb or tj.wiles61@outlook.com. Thanks!
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