Cooper Lake Bluegrass Festival Gets Underway
Friday Night and Continues Thru Saturday

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Pleasant weather and some outstanding "toe tapping" music greeted those patrons who traveled to the Cooper Lake Amphi-theater, on Friday night, for the SSRDA sponsored Bluegrass Festival and Jam. Gates opened at 6:00 p.m. and music began with The Mack Smith Band, who performed a variety of favorite tunes, to the delight of the crowd.

 

Bluegrass legend, Bill Grant, served as the hosting Master of Ceremonies,
for Friday night's venue at Cooper Lake.

 

"The weather is about the best that you can ever experience for a Bluegrass event," remarked Master of Ceremonies, Bill Grant. "Usually, it's either hot or cold at Bluegrass Festival, but we've managed to bring you some really pleasant weather, with this afternoon's thunderstorms and a 'cooling off' of temperatures!"

 

 

 

The Mack Smith Band opened Friday night's Bluegrass Festival and Jam, at Cooper Lake.

 

The second group on Friday night's venue was Amy Asbill Patrick and Jayla Mayes and their band, from Cooper, Texas, who brought along their own fan base and added some outstanding music to the show. The duet of female vocals lent a harmony to the selections, many of which were Gospel, and they "brought the house down" with a number of their selections, receiving rounds of applause.

 

Amy Asbill Patrick and Jayla Mayes, both from Cooper, performed for the crowd as the middle segment of
Friday night's show.

 

 

The final group for Friday night's billing was The East Mountain Bluegrass, from Hawkins, Texas, that provided their own flavor of the Bluegrass genre, with a wide selection of favorite tunes and a number Gospel selections, as well.

"This is just clean, inspirational music," expressed one of Friday night's patrons. "You can't beat this bunch of performers! And, I look forward to coming back tomorrow, for more of this outstanding talent!"

 

 

 

East Mountain Bluegrass from Hawkins, Texas, were the final performers on Friday night's show.

 

 

 

 

The weekend Bluegrass Festival and Jam continues through Saturday night, with Saturday's music beginning at 12:00 noon and continuing into Saturday night.

Billed for Saturday's show includes: The Southern Gentlemen, The Welch Mountain Boys and Bill Grant, The Sonja Barber Band, and David Davis and The Warrior River Boys. Each of the bands will be playing two sets with "non-stop music from noon until 10:00 p.m.

For some great music, beneath the shaded pavillion, bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the great talent "on tap" for Saturday. Gates to the park open at 11:00 a.m. and concessions of all kinds are provided at the site.

 

The melodious sound of the banjo can be heard in Cooper Lake Park, throughout Saturday, as this year's
Bluegrass Festival and Jam will continue thru Saturday night at 10:00 p.m.

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