This weekend, Cordell residents will have the chance to enjoy some bluegrass music as the Wichita Bluegrass Band makes its way to Cordell.
Formed in 2004, the band focuses on bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music, a genre popularized by Bill Monroe who is popularly known as the “Father of Bluegrass.”
The music mainly revolves around the use of acoustic stringed instruments and was once described by Monroe as: “Scottish bagpipes and ole-time fiddlin’. It’s Methodist and Holiness and Baptist. It’s blues and jazz, and it has a high lonesome sound.”
Leader of the band Robert Johnston said that the band plays all sorts of bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and country songs as well as the song “Wipeout” by Surfaris.
“How many bluegrass bands you know that do ‘Wipeout’? Not only do we play it but sometimes we do it in a song too! We’ll wipe out,” Johnston joked.
Currently, the Wichita Bluegrass Band is composed of six members, Johnston, Briam Quam, David Johnston, Sheryl Lane, Betty Callen, and Francie Medford. “They can expect
“They can expect acoustic and they can expect bluegrass and old-time gospel music,” Johnston said.
“They can expect a hairraising time because we have fun! Praising Jesus and having fun. Man, it goes good together.”
This event is being put on by Cordell resident Julie Barnett in her effort to “bring the arts to Cordell” as we previously reported.
“We get to make it available to the masses… and get them interested. [It’s] the beginning of that, presenting arts to Cornell, where it's something to do that's positive,” Barnett said. “Used to be that there were things going on every weekend… That was their entertainment. They didn't have television, they didn't have things like that. So they had to entertain themselves and that's basically what we want to do.”
Barnett said that everyone is welcome out to the event and described it as being “very family-friendly.”
“It needs to be family-friendly where kids could come hang out if they want to,” she said. “Live music is live music. [People] would nearly have to hate specifically bluegrass not to come. There's something they're going to like.”
Barnett noted that there will be no concessions being provided that night, however, attendants are welcome to bring things such as drinks so long as they are permitted in the park.
“It's just [the Wichita Bluegrass Band] sitting around jamming. It's very laid back. It's not regimented,” Barnett said. “It is a very laid-back attitude. Lawn chairs will be perfect”
Seating will not be provided and attendants will need to bring their own seating, however, Barnett the park’s picnic tables will be available if you are unable to bring your own seat.
If you are interested in attending the show, the Wichita Bluegrass Band will be performing two sets on Sunday, September 26 from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Cordell Park Pavillion. The show is free to the public with donations being accepted.
Johnston said he is excited to come perform in Cordell and looks forward to the potential of coming back again.
“Bring something to sit in! If it cools off, bring a sweater because we’re playing regardless. I’m true bluegrass man,” Johnston said. “I’ve played on the stage in 21 degrees outside. I'll do it again because I’m true blue man. Ain't nothing stopping me from bluegrass.”