Music A High Note At Bikes, Blues & BBQ
Organizers Focus on Local Bands
Last updated Thursday, September 29, 2005 10:16 PM CDT in News
By Dan Craft
The Morning News
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FAYETTEVILLE -- Members of the Northwest Arkansas musical community are wearing multiple hats during the Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally in Fayetteville.
Joe Giles thought his retirement from teaching would give him more time to play shows with his band, the Homewreckers. After a Thursday night show at Jose's, they play tonight at George's Majestic Lounge and are booked Saturday night to play a wedding reception in Springdale.
Before and after shows, Giles also has to run to different bars in his other capacity. As the emcee for the Miss Bikes, Blues & BBQ contest, Giles has to fit several preliminary rounds and the final contest in between his shows.
"I'm going to be jumping from place to place, trying to get it all done and squeeze in a good time too," Giles said. "We could really make a living just doing weddings over in Eureka Springs, but this is always a blast of fun. Each year it's bigger and better."
For Brian Crowne, the schedule juggling began months ago. As the owner of George's, he was responsible for booking all the bands playing at the bar during the festival. As the saxophone player for local band Oreo Blue, he had to help set the band's schedule for the weekend.
"I'm really a sax player, not a bartender, so the music is very important to me," Crowne said. "We really like the idea of showcasing local bands, because it give them a chance to show what they can do."
Crowne is also a member of the festival's music committee.
"We decided against the big-name shows this year because they didn't do so well in the past," he said. "There's no guarantee that people will pay a big-name ticket price when you're competing against a free stage next door, and this keeps the bands and the bars from having to compete over who gets who."
Neal Crawford agrees. As manager of Jose's, Crawford booked bands including the Homewreckers. As a member of the Bikes, Blues & BBQ board, he's also responsible for ensuring the shows on the two main stages run smoothly.
"We may hear a band like the Cate Brothers every week, but the people here for the rally don't," Crawford said. "Give our local bands a chance on the big stage, and they've shined. We're taking homegrown Fayetteville music and feeding it to the world, and they seem to be loving it."
Whatever the plan was, it seems to be working, said Jim Markus of Conway.
"These bands are unbelievably good," Markus said while watching a set by Leah and the Mojo Doctors. "I've been impressed by the music every year, and so far, I think it looks even better this year. I'm going to hit as many shows as I can."
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