GENTRY — Barrett Baber will be the entertainer to lead up to the giant fireworks display in Gentry City Park on Tuesday, July 4th.
NBC's The Voice finalist Barrett Baber gave millions of viewers an unforgettable introduction to a rising new artist and entertainer on the country music scene.
"Barrett sounds like no one else on country radio," Blake Shelton said. "He can be a star in country music."
On the heels of a successful U.S. tour, Baber's recently released full-length album "A Room Full Of Fighters" debuted in the top 10 on iTunes Top 100 Album Charts, and is being featured in Walmarts nationwide as part of Coca-Cola's summer campaign for 2017.
Also performing will be Southern Traditions Bluegrass Band, River's Edge Band, Trumann Rail Boys and Kaitlin Carlson.
"Southern Traditions Bluegrass Band has served the Ozark Mountain area since the group formed in 2014," according to the group's website. "The band has entertained audiences in Arkansas and beyond as news about their dynamic sound spread. Band members live throughout northwest Arkansas and enjoy performing often at regional concerts and festivals. The group's sound features smooth vocals, three- and four-part harmonies and instrumental versatility with Dennis Keigley on banjo, Jeff and Justin Bond on guitar, Bobby Glenn on mandolin and Rick Evans on upright bass."
"We're just a group of friends that kept getting together simply to enjoy jamming and playing bluegrass music. We had so much fun, we decided to share with others. The result is Southern Traditions Bluegrass," the band's website says. "We hope to see you soon and enjoy some good old-fashioned bluegrass music ... and some not-so-old-fashioned bluegrass ... together."
"The River's Edge Band is an Oklahoma band which plays the perfect blend of today's and yesterday's country hits, along with some rockin' originals you're sure to love," the group's website states. The band includes Blake Turner on vocals and acoustic guitar, Jeramy Rhoden on the bass, Michael and Douglas Thompson on the electric guitars and fiddles, and Shon Finney on the drums.
"The Trumann Rail Boys consists of four fellas from Arkansas," according to the group's website. "Their music is based from all over the genre spectrum with pinches of blues, rock, country, red-dirt, punk, metal, rap, indie, folk, ragtime."
Keefer Roach (guitar, vocals) is from northeast Arkansas in Trumann. He started playing guitar in 2007 and is heavily rooted in blues. Derek Nichols (bass, vocals) is from Springdale and was in various punk bands around northwest Arkansas a few years ago. Marcus Garoutte (fiddle, et al) is from Rogers and plays in red dirt country bands. He has been playing the violin since he was 4 and has fiddle music in his soul. Ethan Baker (banjo, et al) is from Trumann, as well. He played drums and then started playing guitar and the banjo.
Kaitlin Carlson is local talent. She lives and works in the Gentry area and has entertained festival goers before with her songs and music.
Also being planned for the day are the following:
• Car Show -- For details, contact Tammie Runyan 479-238-4979 or [email protected];
• Tiny Tot Pageant -- contact Brandy Cordeiro at [email protected];
• Miss Gentry Pageant -- contact Brandy Cordeiro at [email protected];
• Activities for children, such as inflatables, a bicycle and tricycle parade, Wild Wilderness Safari animals, Kid's Zone, Tiny Tots' pageant, games and other activities;
• All kinds of festival food.
Booth space is available for rent to people or businesses wishing to sell products, crafts or promote their businesses.
Booth space is also available to non-profits (at a reduced price) wishing to fundraise or advertise their organization.
For more information, call Gentry Chamber of Commerce director Janie Parks at 479-736-2358 or email [email protected].
General News on 05/31/2017