Support local, live music 11-21-2023

By TERRY JOE WILES

Happy Thanksgiving

“Music is the Soundtrack of our Lives”.   Dick Clark

I gotta quit looking for quotes about music because pondering about it can take up too much of my day. Good memories tho. Looking back I went from Gene Autry’s Christmas songs on lil’ red 45’s to Elvis, Haggard and Price to Stones/Grateful Dead/Clapton/Flying Burrito Brothers, from Jesse Colin Young to Big Daddy Weave and many more in between. Take a minute- What would be in your life’s Soundtrack?

Now, just a short flowery tirade about my favorite subject, “me”. Last week I won a bout with the bug that is going ‘round. I was on the ropes a couple of times but ya can’t keep a good man down. Nasty stuff. First, when I came around, I thought “what a waste of four perfectly purty days”. Then I got off the pity pot and reflected on a gratitude list. So in no particular order. I am grateful for the grace I don’t deserve and the mercy that I didn’t get what I did deserve. And I can’t say it enough, I Love my mother. I am thankful for friends that saw me at my best and suffered thru me at my worst. Always stood with me, never gave up, never stopped praying and some still invite me to sit at their table. I have been blessed. If I go tomorrow, my bag’s packed (with a cord for my cell phone). Thanks to all who have loved me when I couldn’t even love myself. Here’s to celebrating New Year’s Eve (my B’day) and another trip around the sun.

Speaking of New Year’s Eve, it’s official. The biggest party of the year will be held by Poteau Chamber at the Reynolds Center on Dec 31. Billy Hoffman will host this event and it has a great lineup. “Shady Oak Tribadours”, “Hillbilly Vegas” and “The Asphalt Cowboys”. Hum! “Asphalt Cowboys”. Never have figured out why Billy picked that name for his band. Anyway, the event will be for The Boys and Girls Club of LeFlore County. More details as we get closer. Tickets will be available soon.

Live music this week- Jazz at the Museum, this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.. Donna and David Deaton host this evening of music that’s held in one of the purtiest settings, in The Lowry Hotel, The LeFlore County Historical Museum. “The Al Grzech Trio” will play jazz favorites that are on many of your life’s Soundtrack. Tunes from the 40’s thru the modern era in the genre of music that can be absorbed and best enjoyed by catching the feeling, the energy and love for each song that these musicians apply. It is truly a Joy. Don’t miss it. No cover, NS/ND, drinks and snacks available. What time did I say? It’s 6:30 p.m.

Friday “The Stagemasters” will be at the Fort Smith Senior Activity Center on Cavanaugh Road. Take the Jenny Lind exit on I-40 for easy access. Music starts at 7 p.m. If you like to dance to country music, here’s your best chance, imho. Get there early for a good seat.

“J J Taylor and Bourbon Highway” wil play at La Huertas Saturday. Red dirt to R&R with some originals thrown in. Music starts at 6:30 p.m.

“Shady Oak Tribadours” will play at Hero’s on Garrison Avenue in Fort Smith. Great band- Great food and drinks, too. Music starts at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Just a short hop from my digs, catch “Make it a Double” in McAlester, at the VFW. It’s Saturday and the dance is from 7-10 p.m.

Muldrow City Limits will have “The Midwestern Playboys” kickin’ out the tunes so you can kick up your heels. Music starts at 7 p.m. Great music by awesome musicians that at times are as classy as Bob Wills’ band and are as entertaining and personable as Lester Roadhog’s Cadillac Cowboys. It makes for a nite to remember.

Since this week is Thanksgiving, several places will be closed so that the employees and owners can enjoy the deer sSeason. Oh ya, and the holiday with their families. Dawn’s Diner/Red Oak will be closed Thursday thru Sunday.

So again, Happy Thanksgiving! Keep in mind the dinners provided by Poteau Chamber of Commerce. From 11 a.m. til 1 p.m., at the center and delivered in Poteau, call Suzzette at 918-649-4163 for info. Several churches offer dinners and food for families and don’t forget your older neighbors. There not a good reason for anyone to go hungry this holiday.

That ain’t all I got to say but don’t worry, I’ll have much more to say next week. Contact me at 918-649-5736 or [email protected]. Thanks, TJ