FAYETTEVILLE — The large crowds that turn out for Fayetteville's Bikes, Blues & BBQ rally each year make this a popular venue for musicians eager to promote their music and band.
Artists, both young andold, said that they are excited about playing in front of a lot of people during the four days of the 10th annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ rally. They are quick to tell you they aren't doing it for the money - it's for the fun and exposure.
Visitors to the rally say they enjoy watching people and motorcycles and consuming barbecue and other refreshments but they also enjoy the chance to hear the bands, both new andfamiliar.
Russ Hutchison, the lead guitar player for Joe Giles Band featuring Anastasia Gilliam, said Wednesday before going on stage at the patio of Jose's restaurant on Dickson Street that the band loves to play during the city's biggest event of the year.
"It's like our Mardi Gras," Hutchison said. "We love playing because of theexposure - it's not the money."
Sitting nearby, Carol Jones interrupted the interview to say that Joe Giles played at her high school prom at Farmington in 1967. After Giles returned from introducing bands at the main stage, he acknowledged that he's been playing for a long time.
"It's not a money gig. It's just a fun gig," Giles said.
Down the street, in front of the Walton Arts Center, Jay Harris picked on his flattop Blueridge acoustic guitar using a small Fender amp that plugged into wires wrapped around a nearby tree.
Wi th a hymn book open, Harris said he plays as a ministry and alsofor fun. His guitar case is open for tips, and a few people had tossed in bills and change just before dark Wednesday.
Harris said that he also plays in grocery stores, where a lot of people walk by and request songs. He said that it's a little harder to catch the attention of people passing by Fayetteville's motorcycle rally because of the load roar of the bikes and competing noises from outdoor bands nearby.
Jurgen Lottman, percussionist for the band LaFuSo, short for Latin Funk Soul, said that he's excited to play on the main stage at 6 p.m. Saturday. The band makes "a little bit" for playing, but that's not why they do it, said Lottman, who is originally from Germany.
"It's a great honor. There's probably 500 bands that want to play there," he said. "It's great exposure. It's going to begreat fun."
His wife, Liz Lottman, sings and plays keyboard for the band. She is also president of the Ozarks Blues Society, and she helped line up volunteers to play at the Arkansas Music Pavilion on Saturday outside of the Northwest Arkansas Mall during the motorcycle rally.
Nathan Aronowitz, 14, of Rogers, has been playing piano since his grandmother taught him to boogie-woogie at the age of 5. The other members of his newly formed band, Nathan Aronowitz and the Blitz, are in their 30s and 40s. They perform at 10 a.m. Saturday at the AMP.
Aronowitz doesn't mind volunteering his time because playing at the AMP during the rally is a big deal for him.
"I could not turn it down because if Liz asked me to play at the AMP - it's a big deal," he said. "I hope I can get moregigs because we're playing [there]. That's what I live for - when I get a gig, I'm happy."
David Johnson, the lead guitar player for Six Speed Overdrive, said he is also looking forward to playing at the AMP because it's such a nice facility. He got hurt and had to quit playing for a while, so he's eager to get on stage at the AMP, he said.
"It's a beautiful venue. It's a great big stage. I'd put it up against anywhere I've ever played," he said.
Don Steinkraus, a guitar player for Ocie Fisher and the Planet X blues band, is also pumped to play at the AMP on Saturday during the rally.
"Playing for [Bikes, Blues & BBQ] is definitely a big deal because the crowd is in a good mood, wants to enjoy music, and there are lots of people. We especially like being part of the blues scene," Steinkraus said.
News, Pages 1, 6 on 09/25/2009