Missouri Music Festival - Spring 2010 Bluegrass, Americana, Gospel Music, Arcadia Valley Mountain Music Festival

After coming together professionally in the fall of 1996, they quickly earned a devoted following playing raucous acoustic music that captured the spirit of their native Ozarks, equipped only with an acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass fiddle and washboard. These early gigs demonstrated to unsuspecting audiences what joy and liberation could be found in the raw mojo of indigenous, authentic Ozarks culture; albeit a culture interpreted through the eyes of modern, intellectually astute neo-hillbillies, if you will.

The ten plus years they’ve been together have borne witness to an evolving instrumentation and sonic palate. The original acoustic lineup is still there as a tether to their legacy, but anymore it seems Big Smith simply aspires to be a great American band, regardless of whether the guitars are solid and amplified or woody and earthen. Visit their website.

	VALERIE SMITH with Liberty Pike
	"Valerie Smith and her amazing band are a breath of fresh air. Onstage, they present visually beautiful and exciting performances with exceptional musicality. Offstage, they are like family and best friends to everyone, always willing to share that which makes themso very special-their music, their hearts, and their souls." - Gabrielle Gray, Executive Director International Bluegrass Music Museum

We welcome Grammy Nominee Valerie Smith with Liberty Pike. Valerie's music has taken her from coast to coast and around the world. She has become an ambassador of bluegrass music and has entertained music lovers in New York, London, Berlin, Dublin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and hundreds of other venues throughout the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe. She has been the recipient of IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association). As the twig is bent, so grows the tree. And when that tree is anchored in the fertile hills and dales of west Missouri, you can bet it will be strong enough to withstand a sudden prairie storm, yet beautiful enough to take away your breath when silhouetted by a vivid sunset.

This metaphor aptly describes the music of Valerie Smith as it has seasoned, firmly rooted in the musical soil of her Missouri childhood. One listen to the conviction of Valerie's voice as she delivers a tune lets you know that she is no hot-house flower, but was raised in a real world of both hardships and joys. Valerie's delivery can range from the force of a prairie twister to the gentle softness of a spring rain. Visit her website!

Punch Band

The Punches Family consists of Mom Bobette, Dad Bruce, Graham age 11, Owen age 9, Brooke age 7 and Emily age 7. Dad plays mandolin, mom plays guitar while Graham plays fiddle and Owen picks the dobro. Brooke and Emily both play fiddle as well.

Two young cousins that give the band a lot of drive are Rachel Royer age 16 on bass and Dakota Royer age 15 on banjo. Both Rachel and Dakota are natives of Fredericktown MO and have been playing for several years.

The Punches Family has won band of the year with the SPBGMA organization several times in recent years and has entertained crowds both large and small at many different venues throughout the Midwest.

Sanford Lee as Professor Farquar

Professor Farquar & the Great American Medicine Show

Farquar’s “Great American Medicine Show” is an authentic re-creation of one of the 19th Century’s most popular diversions; presenting traditional toe-tapping tunes, incredible magic, plus lots of laughs and audience participation. A special feature of the Medicine Show is Polecat Annie. She gives hands-on instruction in rope twirling, plate spinning, Victorian amusements, Indian games and palm reading. It’s a unique attraction of notable historic significance.

For more than twenty years, Sanford Lee & Associates has been providing top quality variety entertainment for audiences of all ages. The amazing Professor Farquar and his sidekick Polecat Annie have appeared as both stage acts and street performers at fairs, festivals, trade shows, conventions and other special events throughout the United States. The versatile couple offer great music, illusion, flimflam, juggling, clowning, face painting, body puppets and more. Visit Professor Farquar's website!

The Barely Here Band

Barely Here is a Missouri-based Bluegrass band that was formed in 2002. They are well known for their well-crafted harmony and blistering instrumental breaks. In February of 2004, the band placed 15th in the IBMA International Bluegrass Band Championship that was held at the Sheraton Music City in Nashville, TN. The band recorded their first CD, "Good Woman Blues," in 2003.

They bring extreme showmanship, as well as top-notch vocals, humor and all-around musicianship. Barely Here puts forth a light hearted and enjoyable family-style stage show. Visit them on MySpace.

The Barry Jones Family

With years of musical experience this gospel group has been together for twenty six years. Barry is originally from the small town of Graniteville. His past experience in working television and radio has helped him to be able to work an audience with laughter, tears, and joy. His visual handicap is hardly noticed as he works as the groups leader and spokesman. Join them on Sunday for an inspiring set of gospel music on a beautiful Spring day. Visit their website.

BOBBY POWELL AS “WILLIE NELSON”
Bobby Powell began imitating Willie Nelson in the late 1980's. It came about quite by accident; while working as a trucker for Illinois Power. When he would be pulling his rig out for a job; he would approach the gate and identify himself as “Bobby Powell” and the gate keeper would ask, “Are you on the road again?” After a few times of that exchange, he would just go up to the gate and sing “on the road again”. Thus, “Nearly Nelson” came to be. After that, “Willie” began doing shows at nursing homes & retirement centers, using background music from cassettes, then later Cds. In the fall of
1994 he started producing shows at the Hathaway Hall at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois and later at the Mid-Town Theater in Woodriver. As Bobby was approaching retirement, he visited the Arcadia Valley, liked what he saw and ended up purchasing a building which currently houses The Arcadia Valley Jamboree. In addition to producing shows at the Jamboree, he frequently does a one man “Willie” show on the road. “Willie” will be performing at The Arcadia Valley Jamboree Friday and Saturday night. “The Country Gold Band” will be playing backup.

Pik'n Lik'n
Pik'n Lik'n was established in the summer of 2001 in the courtyard of The Shanti in the famous Soulard area of St Louis. A few rock-n-rollers wanted to play some bluegrass (Pik'n), and the bluegrassers wanted to trade guitar licks (Lik'n). The rest, as they say, is history.
They've grown and changed through the years and now have approximately 15 members in their "music pool" representing versatility in traditional bluegrass, newgrass, classic rock, blues, rockabilly, and a bit of country to round them out. They have now performed over 1000 shows over the years and you can find them almost any day of the year at venues like the Sheldon Concert Hall, the Augusta Brewery, the Old Rock House & the Shanti in Soulard where it all began. We thank them for taking the time out of their very busy schedule to join us at the Arcadia Valley Mountain Music Festival! Visit Pik'n Lik'n here.

Stay tuned for the 2010 information!