Back again

Back again

By TERRY JOE WILES

I’m back in the saddle again

I have been covered up with prayers and well wishes and offers of help from friends far and wide — some of whom I still owe money, but that just proves how deep love and friendship will jump out of the woodworks. I am getting better, but I have a ways to go before I hit my new “normal.”

So thanks again to all.

Support local, live music

I am a little put out, though. There is just so much live music going on, and I probably will miss a couple of events that I will be unable to launch a flowery tirade — wit and wisdom, so to speak. So, I will just give times, dates, places and bands so you can keep up and not miss an opportunity to see, hear and enjoy the music.

The Fathers Day Blues Jam in Fort Smith, Arkansas, at the Bakery District on Sunday is another gathering of musicians of all levels of experience. That’s what makes it a special day. Bring your guitar, bring a song, sign-up at noon and enjoy the blues all afternoon. This four-hour jam taking place from 1-5 p.m. takes place every third Sunday in June. Gary Hutchison will put on, organize and even bounce if needed for this event. This is a family-friendly venue. It’s a chance to listen or play along to some awesome, get-down, lowdown blues with a feeling. See you there.

As for other live Music this week, tonight will be the Tuesday Night Jazz with music by “The Al Grzech Trio” at the LeFlore County Museum at Hotel Lowery. This free to the public event is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. What is so cool is that Al has invited featured guests to sit in with this awesome band in a setting that is “take your breath away” beautiful. The guests are mostly horn players are from high school to longtime musicians. Al is expanding the depth of the younger musicians and giving them a chance to get the feel of playing with a group before a live audience and spreading their wings. It’s an opportunity to learn ways to solo and tell a story with their selection of notes. Nothing compares to this type of show in the Poteau area and just jamming to popular tunes. Make plans to be there. It is put on by David and Donna Deaton. Snacks and drinks provided. No admission.

“Sierra Bravo” has a busy weekend. It starts with playing Thursday night at LaHuerta’s Mexican Restaurant in Poteau. Billy Hoffman and Scot Francis are talented, experienced and sometimes funny. It will run from 7-9 p.m. Then, the band will play at Ava’s at Fianna Hills in Fort Smith from 7-11 p.m. Saturday.

The Coffee Cup will have “Beef” playing on the patio this Friday starting at 6 p.m. There will be the best coffee and cappuccino available in Poteau. Tammie Johnson has been the longest running supporter of live music and Open Mic Nites since 2005. Thanks to Tammie and crew for putting on this show.

“Chaotic Resemblance” will be out of town playing with more than 30 bands at the Kingdom Come Festival. The Poteau-based band is well suited for this free annual Christian metal and rock event at Greentown, Indiana. The large crowds are in for a three-day festival with music from morning until midnight. The band will fill a 7 p.m. slot on Friday. What is cool, but not surprising, is the bands can deliver metal with a message, but they also witness and pray with many at the festival — both backstage and in the crowd. Travis and L.A. ask if I minded because God had called them that I needed prayers for healing. It was a “right-place, right-time” kind of a thing, and I will always be grateful. Thanks, guys.

Down the road on Friday at Dawn’s Diner in Red Oak, there will be something new. It’s a hush-hush event so that makes me that much more interesting. The new band “Sidekicks” will play for the dancers and provide more than just singing and playing. It has much promise of a show. So, you will probably see me on the front row. Come see what the hoopla is all about. It will start at 7 p.m. Then on Saturday, Paden Baggett will perform his style of red dirt/country music. This young man has skills. This show also will start at 7 p.m. See you at Dawn’s!

My friends, “The Stagemasters,” will take its country/rock to the Fort Smith Senior Activity Center on Cavanaugh Road. This band is a favorite here. This NS/ND venue is all about the dancing. Music will start at 7 p.m.

The annual Bigfoot/UFO Festival will take place at the Heavener Runestone Park on Saturday. There will be live music from noon until 9 p.m. The headliners are bluegrass bands. You can hear Clay Grant, Doug Russell, “Glass Crack” and “The Gravel Yard.” This is one of the prettiest places in southeastern Oklahoma. There will be lots of food, venders and storytellers of all things Bigfoot — legends and sightings in our area. Have you seen Bigfoot?

Crocky’s Cafe in Hackett, Arkansas, will feature “Common Thread Bluegrass Band” on Friday and “The Stagemasters” will bring its country sound on Saturday. Music will start at 7 p.m. both nights.

“Rhythm Coalition” will be at 906 Lounge and More on Garrison Avenue in Fort Smith on Saturday. The band has a wide range of music. It covers R&B, soul, red dirt, country rock mixed with a little jazz. There are some dynamite original tunes in the mix! Give yourself a night out and enjoy these guys. The music will be from 8 p.m until midnight.

Muldrow City Limits will have “Backroads” on stage providing your favorite country music this Saturday. This NS/ND dance hall has been averaging 100 plus dancers, so get there early. It all starts at 7 p.m.

Randy Fennell will play solo on Friday at Talamichi (The Ranch) in Tuskahoma. It’s a great place to eat and enjoy Randy’s music from 6-8 p.m. Then, on Saturday, he travels to Sallisaw for a solo gig at El Celaya Mexican Restaurant from 6-8 p.m.

That ain’t all I got to say but it’s a good place to stop.

For additional information about live-music events or to let me know about any such venues, call or text message me at (918) 649-5736 or e-mail me at [email protected].

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