If You Love Live Music, Come See Me on Oct. 18

Do you love music? I sure do. It’s a central part of my life, offering entertainment, encouragement and inspiration, and a sense of community that connects me with family and friends.

There’s something even more special about live music presented outdoors. The new Mentone Americana Nights series has brought new opportunities for fun and fellowship to the Moon Lake Campus over the past few months. The Summer Music Series, sponsored by the Little River Arts Council, continued its long-running tradition of presenting live music at the Linger Longer Pavilion behind the Mentone Inn. And now there’s one more chance this year to hear live music under the open skies in Mentone.

The Mentone Fall Festival is the biggest community event of the year. You can read all about the vendors and activities in this issue of The Groundhog, but I want to focus on the music for a moment. Headlining the Shigley Amphitheater will be Alabama legends Three On A String. The first time I heard these guys was at a chamber of commerce event many years ago. They are excellent musicians, but they are also hilarious. These true entertainers put on such a great show.

Beyond their music, I have long been drawn to the historical preservation work of Bobby Horton, who plays banjo, trumpet, guitar, fiddle, and about anything else you can think of. While touring with Three On A String, Bobby has pursued his passion for documenting America’s music recording industry all the way back to its formation during the Civil War. His work captured the attention of documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, and Bobby has subsequently contributed countless recordings for these films.

The Mentone Fall Festival will mark the first Mentone appearance by Three On A String (according to everyone’s memory, anyway). Another rarity will take place that afternoon when Pierce Pettis takes the stage. The noted singer/songwriter makes his home in Mentone, but his touring schedule usually takes him from New England to the West Coast and all parts in between.

I don’t recall when I discovered Pierce’s music, but it was his 2001 release on Compass Records, “State of Grace,” that really drew me into his work. Having grown up in Fort Payne like Pierce, I connected deeply to the themes he presented on this record. “I think and act, And I talk this way, For I was raised, In a state of grace.”

Average Joe also returns to the Shigley Amphitheater stage after an appearance at Mentone Americana Nights earlier this year. They were a crowd favorite, with their wide range of classics and standards performed on acoustic instruments. These three fellas each have rich musical backgrounds, and their performance will complement the show nicely.

Of course, you don’t want to miss the great local talent on display at the front of Moon Lake Campus throughout the day. Local favorites Judy-Nicole Kirby, Lisa Crow, Mountain Hippie, and The Vegetaters have a strong local following, and for good reason.

So I ask you again … do you love music? If so, I’ll look for you at the Mentone Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18, on the beautiful and historic Moon Lake Campus!