A Local's view on a Local Festival
Bayfest
October 1st-3rd
Downtown, Mobile, AL
You know when fall is here in Mobile, AL because Bayfest is here and here to stay. Over the years Bayfest has gained reputation as being one of Alabama's largest music attraction for an outdoor music festival. Some of the past years' Artists include Widespread Panic, Funky Meters, Kid Rock and Leftover Salmon. This year was no exception with headliners such as Godsmack, Reba McEntire, Mary J. Blige, and the big time rockers Motley Crue. Downtown Mobile was probably the most packed I have ever seen it, and may be due to the welcome of the fall weather. You couldn't have asked for a nicer weather forecast for the weekend. The only sweating going on downtown were the people dancin' the day away and into the crisp night air. All three days line up of Bayfest included performers I had seen before, and some that were new to me.
The
first Act I saw was on Friday night with Dennis "Finger Rolls" Nelson opening up
for Mary J. Blige on the Miller Lite Stage. His collaboration of musicians
both young and old along with Chris Spies on the keys made it a night to
remember. He played his heart out and made sure that the people knew that
the young musicians playing that night were our future of music.
I
then made my way through the thick crowd of folks towards the IP Stage where
Motley Crue was to perform. Hits such as Shout At The Devil and Girls,
Girls, Girls were played under the stars and moon. Their opening act with
the pyrotechnics got the crowd going. Explosions rang out amongst the
crowd as fire and fireworks went off around the stage of Vince Neil, Tommy Lee,
Nikki Sixx, and Mick Mars.
Saturday at the fest would have me getting a late start but never missing a beat once I got there. I started out the night with Clay Walker, someone whom I've never seen, playing some rockin' country tunes. I really enjoyed seeing him, especially knowing that Reba McEntire was about to take stage next.
I
did however venture off to the jazz tent during this time and went to see Dennis
Nelson again doing a tribute to Santana, which was a treat. The whole tent
was getting down to some Latino grooves from the history of music and Rock N
Roll.
After
that adventure, I made it back over to the IP stage to see Reba McEntire
perform. Other than her soft country as I would call it, her band brought the
heat with some rockin' out Country twists. Being a legend herself in the
Country Music industry, it was a treat to see Reba and her band close out the
night of festivities of Bayfest on Saturday.
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The
final day of Bayfest would start off with a new local band, Shropshire.
These high school gentlemen, Phillip Knott, Carson Taylor, Frankenstein Truxillo, and Zeke
Buchaultz, played
with a strong knowledge of jazz, rock, and punk influence. Their energetic
performance included a single set of original music, including Muzeke, Crocodile
Tears, and Ghoul in My Closet. Shropshire continues to grow their audience
each and every show, and they are sure to have a bright future.
The
next act would be a fantastic set with Grayson Capps and The Lost Cause
Minstrels. What a great way to start a Sunday off fresh after a friends
birthday party and coming to Grayson right after that. Grayson Capps stole
the crowd with his swampy-blues-infusion
rock
backed up by Chris Spies on Organ, Christopher Spies on Saxophone, Corky Hughes
on Guitar, Christian Grizzard on Bass, and the Birthday Boy himself John Milham
on Drums.
After Grayson, I listened to the sounds of Wes Loper and Adam Holt. Both are local musicians as well as Grayson and company. The night would end listening to Earth, Wind & Fire and the funkalicious grooves from the 70's and 80's. Overall in my own eyes Bayfest this year was a huge success. I wish I could have seen more of the acts this year, but with so much going on you're gonna at least catch an Honest Tune.
Written by: Tarver Shelton of Jams Plus
Photography by: Tarver Shelton of Jams Plus
Edited by: Rosemary A.W. Roberts