"High Strung"  from Paris, Texas was the first group to perform on Friday's program.

 

First Night of Bluegrass Festival
at Cooper Lake Provides Quality Music

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

"Salt Grass," that hails from the Houston area, was the second band to perform on Friday's line-up.

It was "toe tappin' and knee slappin'" Bluegrass Music that was wafting through the air at the South Sulphur River Amphitheater, as patrons sat beneath a comfortable shade and enjoyed the cultural sounds of four bands that appeared on Friday's program.

"High Strung," a four member band from Paris, Texas, opened the program at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday and performed again at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

Second on the venue, with performances at 1:55 p.m. and 7:25 p.m., was "Salt Grass," who brought a four member band to lend their sound of traditional songs.

Third performers were "The Mack Smith Band," who performed at both 2:50 p.m. and 8:20 p.m., and brought six members to perform for the crowd.

 

Patrons at Friday's Bluegrass Festival enjoyed the newly constructed shaded area, as a nice breeze
made the summer temperatures bearable.

 

And fourth was Hickory Hill, of Linden, Texas, who are celebrating their 30th Anniversary as a group, performed at both 4:10 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. to finish the first day's line-up.

 

 

"Certainly, we would like for it to be cooler, but the shaded area provided makes the heat bearable and we've had some outstanding bands," expressed Bill Grant, Master of Ceremonies for the show. "It's been 'top notch' performers and the audience has been very, very complimentary!"

 

"The Mack Smith Band," the third band on Friday's program, delighted the crowd with their
traditional tunes.

 

Saturday's line-up begins at 12:30 p.m. and includes: "The Bonham Review," "Welch Mountain and Bill Grant," "Bowles Creek," "Blue River with Amy Patrick," and "The Wildwood Valley Boys."

 

 

Tickets are available at the gate and all you have to do to find the grassy area, on the banks of Cooper Lake, is travel out State Highway-19 and follow the signs between Birthright and Tira. You'll be glad you did!

 

The five member "Hickory Hill Band," of Linden, Texas, completed Friday's show with two performances at 3:45 p.m. and
again at 9:15 p.m.

 

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