Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2009 > November > 08 > Entry
First annual Smithville Music Fest a hit
About 1,500 folks showed up to see Jimmie Vaughan and others at Smithville’s Riverbend Park Saturday night. Organizers were praying for 1,000 after advance ticket sales were bleak. But the crowd, appreciative of the quality of music in the rural setting, kept trickling in all day.
It was a charmingly smalltown affair, with the high school marching band playing “Carry On My Wayward Son” under an incredible, three-trunked oak tree, followed by a group of soldiers paying tribute to three Smithville natives who lost their lives in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The main stage action kicked off with the Peterson Brothers Band, featuring 13-year old Glenn and 10-year-old Alex. Then came Dale Watson, a total pro, who dropped in references to Hwy 71, the road that leads to Smithville, in his truck-driving songs.
The sensational Jones Family Singers just tore it up for an hour that felt like 20 minutes. I’ve seen this group of gospel shouters at least a dozen times, but this was the best for two reasons. 1) The sound system was so pristine you could hear all six singers and 2) the audience basically went berserk and did everything lead singer Alexis asked them to do.
Austin audiences can get jaded because quality live music is everywhere every day. But Smithville ate up their first annual music festival like a steak dinner in a combat zone. I don’t know when’s the last time Jimmie Vaughan played to an audience that packed up front and jumped all around. Oh, wait, I do. It was last night. A highlight of his fest-closing set was when Smithville native, former Gil Evans trumpeter Hannibal Lokumbe, came up and played “When the Saints Go Marching In” with Vaughan and his Tilt-a-Whirl Band. Lokumbe had his flutter on high and, again, the crowd responded with pumping fists and cheers.
The event, which will indeed be annual after last night’s smash debut, was organized by a group of volunteers led by the local Chamber of Commerce. They’re trying to raise money to open a community center and I sat in on a couple of early meetings and gave advice on which acts to book. My big fear, especially when only 27 tickets had been sold two weeks before the event, was that nobody would come out and the fest would lose money it didn’t have. I felt bad for not being more persuasive when I tried to talk them out of doing it at the first meeting in August.
But after the Smithville Times ran a couple of front page articles on the fest and Vaughan, who has lived outside of town for seven years, ticket sales picked up. People were talking about the music fest wherever I went in this town of 4,001., located 45 miles east of Austin. Still, I was expecting to see ten cars in the parking lot when I showed up at 3 p.m., two hours before the main stage started.
When I pulled into Riverbend, a gorgeous park with a built in pavillion for live music, I was amazed to see about a hundred cars. What a lift, and the day just kept getting better and better. Smithville stepped up to the plate and knocked one into the bleachers.
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By Les Warren
November 8, 2009 4:55 PM | Link to this
Kudos to the bands who came out to Riverbend Park in Smithville and played their hearts out for the crowd. They really gave their all and those in attendance were treated to a very special show - no one held back.
By Jeff Copas
November 8, 2009 7:46 PM | Link to this
great to see you there, Michael - we’re already looking forward to next year.
By Charlotte Collins
November 8, 2009 8:11 PM | Link to this
What a treat it was to enjoy a day and evening of incredible talent, right here in our back yard. I’ve always believed that Riverbend Park, and Smithville, are undiscovered Central Texas gems. A heartfelt THANK YOU! to all of the musicians and their crews, who had faith in this venue and gave no-holds-barred performances. Thanks also to the group of dedicated volunteers who pulled together and made this happen - you guys are amazing! I’m looking forward to the “2nd Annual” already!
By Karen
November 9, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this
What an experience! Great music and food, a beautiful setting, and perfect weather. The only problem is that we have to wait another year. Maybe this should be bi-annual!
By Cody Kennemore
November 9, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this
The Jones Family Singers was breath-taking……I danced, laughed, hollered, and even cried. I could feel their music and did get my cd’s. The lead singer was awesome and the background was superb. The Dad could really belt it out and what fab footwork. The drummer put it down too. I want to see them again…They got a great band. They rocked!
By Sheila
November 9, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this
WOW, what a great 1st Annual Smithville Music Festival. I’ve been receiving nothing but great comments from the bands and everyone that attended. Michael did try to talk us out of doing this, but we decided to forge ahead. Our committee did an awesome job organizing the event and everything went smoothly. Midnight Lighting did a fantastic job not only with the Festival Stage, but with lighting the beautiful Oak Trees. Minor Productions provided us with the pristine sounds. Hmmmm….I think we need to have another concert at Riverbend Park in the Spring!!! :)
By Bryan Sanderson
November 9, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this
Awesome festival great food & fun…but the gospel Jones band was the total package for the evening. I’m not or should I say now was not into black gospel music until now. They can make a believer out of anyone. Thanks Smithville Producers
By Yvonne
November 9, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
The emcee did a fantastic job of getting everyone to participate and enjoy the fun of the festival! The bands were awesome! What a great event! I’m sure it will just keep getting better! Can’t wait until next year!
By Bishop Fred A.Jones,Sr.
November 9, 2009 5:59 PM | Link to this
The Festival was a tremendous blessing to all in attendance and we(The Jones Family Singers)got to meet some pretty amazing people…. Smithville’s Promoters should be commended for such a superb job…The Emcee of the evening kept things rolling and he did a job that was drapped in excellence. It was fabulous and we do look forward to a speedy return to an amazing city that should now be recoqnized for doing BIG things. http://www.thejonesfamilysingers.org
By Alexis Jones-Roberts.
November 9, 2009 6:26 PM | Link to this
I would just like to thank all of the workers and the producers of this wonderful festival. Thank you all so much for inviting us and allowing us to share with you what God has given to us in music. We look forward to coming to Smithville again really soon and having a Holy Ghost Party again. From the Jones Family Singers, we thank you and May God bless you all richly!!!
By Paul Jameson
November 9, 2009 8:08 PM | Link to this
Somebody booked the best weather to go along with all of these amazing acts. We got there a little late and missed the reggae band, which with a Caribbean wife, had us thinking it might be a bad omen. But everything that followed had us dancing all night. Thanks Smithville. And thanks to all the volunteers that made it happen.
By Robert Tamble
November 9, 2009 10:24 PM | Link to this
Kudos to the event organizers (and all of the volunteers) for having the vision and persistence to make the Smithville Music Festival a reality. The weather, the music and food were top notch. It was a fantastic experience and I think this is the start of something very special for Smithville.
By Robert Tamble
November 13, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this
Kudos to the event organizers (and all of the volunteers) for having the vision and persistence to make the 1st annual Smithville Music Festival a reality. The weather, the music and food were top notch. It was a fantastic experience and I think this is the start of something very special for Smithville.
By Robert Tamble
November 18, 2009 8:58 PM | Link to this
Kudos to the event organizers (and all of the volunteers) for having the vision and persistence to make the 1st annual Smithville Music Festival a reality. The weather, the music and food were top notch. It was a fantastic experience and I think this is the start of something very special for Smithville.