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 bands.
Artists, both young and old, said they are excited about playing in front of lots 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 said they enjoy watching people and motorcycles and eating barbecue and other refreshments, but they also enjoy the chance to hear the bands, both new and familiar.
Russ Hutchison, lead guitar player for the Joe Giles Band, featuring Anastasia Gilliam, said Wednesday before going on stage on 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 the exposure - it's not the money."
Sitting nearby, Carol Jones interrupts the interview to say that Joe Giles played at her high school prom in Farmington in 1967. After Giles returns from introducing bands at the main stage, he admits 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 picks on his flattop Blueridge acoustic guitar using a small fender amp that plugs into wires wrapped around a nearby tree.
With a hymn book open, Harris said he plays as a ministry and also for fun. His guitar case is open for tips, and a few people have already tossed in bills and change just before dark Wednesday.
Harris said he also plays in grocery stores, where a lot of people walk by and request songs. He said it's a little harder to catch the attention of people passing by Fayetteville's motorcycle ally because of the loud roar of motorcycles and competing noises from outdoor bands nearby.
Jurgen Lottman, percussionist for the band LaFuSo (short for Latin Funk Soul) said he's excited to be playing on the main stage at 6 p.m. Saturday. The bandmakes "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 be great 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 AMP Saturday at an event held outside at 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 will perform at 10 a.m. Saturday at the AMP.
Aronowitz doesn't mind volunteering his time because playing at the AMP during Bikes and Blues 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 more gigs because we're playing (there). That's what I live for - when I get a gig, I'm happy."
David Johnson, lead guitar player for Six Speed Overdrive, 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.
"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.
News, Pages 10 on 09/25/2009