Let the Good Times Roll.
A sizeable stretch of Main Street in my fair city, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, is blocked. At the north end of the blocked street, a wide trailer has become a stage for four bands who will play for an appreciative audience the evening of August 30, 2013. The free-to-the-public event is Music on Main. The Jefferson County Court house in the background, lending some hometown ambiance, has looked about like it looks in this picture since the 19th century. The stage is set. Let the good times roll.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Pine Buff, Arkansas
Right here at home in River City, The Downtown Special Events Organization recognized that while our population, like most others, has its differences, it has more similarities. At the top of the list of similarities is a love of good music. And like most Southerners, we like our music outdoors when we can get it. Even if we break a sweat. Maybe even “more speshully” if we break a sweat. With those thoughts as a guiding concept, the organization made “Music on Main” a free-to-the-public event which, if size of audience is any gauge, continues to grow in popularity.
A Pinch-Hit Success
The drummer, a last-minute substitute for the Brooks Family Band drummer, who was unable to attend, did a masterful job. Here, he has finished his final tweaks and is sitting on go. The music started shortly thereafter.
The lead off group for this concert was the Brooks Family Band, composed mainly of a Pine Bluff family. For this concert, four of the seven musicians in the band were family. Turns out the band and their local fans were anticipating the homecoming with equal fervor.
A Family Affair
The Brooks Family Band played a program of mainly 60s, 70s, and 80s ballads and dirt-under-the-fingernails rock that put a lot of smiles on the faces of their fans. They got what they came for.
Sister Act
Sisters Cherry and DeeDee Brooks provided the lead vocals for the band. At little back lighting from street lights never hurts.
Havin' a Good Time
A street full of fans appreciates good music and good company. Come to think of it, that was the original idea.
It would seem like the best way to learn how agreeable you can be with your neighbors is to find something upon which you agree. Having found one area of agreement, now the trick is to find the rest.
You can see 56 more pictures of the event in our August 31 Music on Main Gallery.
Nikon D7100, hand held all. Top of page picture, AF-S VR Nikkor 18-200 G ED, ISO 200, 1/125@f5.6; Drummer in front of courthouse, same lens, ISO 3200, 1/50@f5.6; Band on stage, same lens, ISO 3200, 1/80@f5.6, manual exposure with light fill flash; Sisters, same exposure. Audience, Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6, EX DC HSM, ISO 3200, 1/80@f5, manual exposure with light fill flash.
See More of the Music on Main concert, including this enthusiastic guitarist, at
Weekly Grist for the Eyes and Mind.
The camera takes a look at performers
and audience. Click and ye shall see.
