Dogwood Festival books Homemade Jamz’ Blues Band
Posted on Sunday, March 16, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/hl/News/23872/
The 34 th annual Dogwood Festival has booked Homemade Jamz’ Blues Band for its feature act April 26.
Festival chairman Patrick Carr said he saw the band perform on the CBS News Sunday Morning show and thought there was no way the local festival could draw in a band like this.
“ These guys flat out bring it like BB King, ” Carr said.
But, he said, he called the band’s manager and “ the next thing you know we were scheduled. It’s one of things that’s like ‘ wow’. ”
The band is made up of three young siblings, Ryan, Kyle and Taya Perry of Tupelo, Miss. Ryan, 15, is lead vocalist and guitarist; Kyle, 13, plays bass; and Taya, 9, is the drummer.
The band recently signed with NorthernBlues Music, based in Toronto, and is expected to release a CD, “ Pay Me No Mind, ” in June, according to the band’s Web site, www. homemadejamzband. com.
Homemade Jamz’ was a finalist in the band category in the 23 rd International Blues Challenge in 2007.
The group is expected to perform at the pavilion in Bob Henry Park at 7 p. m. April 26. Cherokee Casino is the sponsor for the Saturday night performance.
The Dogwood Festival, will run April 25-27, has been generating a lot of interest this year. CenturyTel is the presenting sponsor.
Patti Eiland, of the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce, said she has been taking eight calls each day about the festival.
“ Historically, we usually start getting lots of phone calls April 1, ” she said.
More than 150 booths have been reserved for the festival as of Tuesday, Eiland said. Booth reservations can be made up to two weeks before the festival. No limit is set on the number of booths. Interested vendors can contact the Chamber of Commerce at (479 ) 524-6466.
Because of the high level of interest, Eiland expects more than 200 booths will be reserved. Last year, the festival had 190 booths.
Eiland believes the festival is getting more interest this year because FeatherFest in Springdale was canceled and because the Dogwood Festival is being advertised on Web sites that are often viewed by festival vendors.
Some new booths this year are Billy Jack’s Root Beer and Old Tyme Photos.
KidZone will return this year with the rock wall, inflatable bouncers and other games for children and adults.