By Larry Block
Cheryl and Orville Murphy, owners of the Board Camp Campground and Crystal Mine in Board Camp, at 110 Hickory Ridge (Polk County Rd. 62), near Mena, Arkansas, have announced the lineup for the large two-weekend outdoor musical event, The Crystal Music Festival on their 50 acre property, on July 19 -21 and 26-28.
In addition to the two international star bands, Diamond Rio and The Marshall Tucker Band, a stunning array of top regional talent will be performing from mid-morning until late at night.
Here are the lineups of talent. For exact times of performance visit www.crystalmusicfestival.com. The first weekend, July 19-21, will be the Country Music Festival and will include, in addition to Diamond Rio, appearing on Saturday night, Louisiana bluesman, David B. Lindy with Eric Vazquez; Austin Texas’ blues/country duo, Gatling & Hoffpauir; Choctaw Casino band, Straight Shot; Country/Rock cover band, Sugar Creek Blues Band; singer/songwriters, Norway’s Logan Lind, Nashville’s Jeff Childress, and Los Angeles’ Michael Eudy; and opening for Diamond Rio, award-winning Texas country singer, Deidre Thornell.
Formed in 1984, country super-group Diamond Rio can boast three platinum records, four CMA awards, two ACM awards and 13 Grammy nominations. Their 1991 smash, Meet in the Middle, reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, making Diamond Rio the first country music group in history to reach #1 with a debut single. The band followed up with 32 more chart singles, including four more #1 hits How Your Love Makes Me Feel, One More Day, Beautiful Mess, and I Believe.
Formed in 1971 when original guitarist Toy Caldwell and vocalist Doug Gray decided to give music one last shot, The Marshall Tucker Band began its career touring with fellow Southern rockers like the Allman Brothers. But while fitting comfortably in the Southern rock category with the Allmans and Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Marshall Tucker Band was simultaneously hitting both the Billboard 100 and country charts with songs like Searchin for a Rainbow, Fire on the Mountain, Heard It in a Love Song, and Can’t You See.
For the Rock Music Festival of July 26-28, in addition to The Marshal Tucker Band, appearing on Saturday night, will be the Middle-Eastern Belly dance team, Tribal Fusion; singer/songwriter, Kassi Moe; Gatling & Hoffpauir; Sugar Creek Blues Band; country/rock cover band, Whiskey Peak Band; Nashville’s Eskimo Brothers; David B. Lindy; Mena’s Spinelli’s Café regulars, Brothers And Sons; and opening for The Marshal Tucker Band, Nashville and Mena songwriter/singer/guitarist, Richie Owens & Six Mile Creek.
Tickets are on sale now. Tickets to see the Opening Bands for Diamond Rio & Marshall Tucker on Fridays, only, are $15. To see Diamond Rio, Marshall Tucker or both bands. Saturday tickets to only see Diamond Rio or The Marshall Tucker Band, are $45 each. 3-day tickets for the Diamond Rio weekend are $125 with camping, and $90 without camping.
Three-day tickets for The Marshall Tucker Band weekend are also $125 with camping, and $90 without camping, and if you buy 6 or more tickets at one time, for one of the 3 day Festivals there will be a discount of $25, off each ticket. For more information contact Cheryl Murphy at (479) 243-0871 or cheryl@crystalmusicfestival.com.
About Author
Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.
More Stories
New way to listen to KENA and KQOR
Two inmates escape Oklahoma facility Saturday morning
Oil spill accident causes closures on Mena Street