By NATALIA JONES
The first annual PawlessFest passed the test and is set to be back again next year during Sept. 25-7.
Considered to be a trial run, the outdoor acoustic musical festival was held at the Cedars Ranch, located at 2621 FM 1201. A two-day event, gates opened at noon on Friday, Sept. 26 and were open until 2 p.m. Sunday for raw tent camping.
Hosted by internationally renowned guitar maker Vince Pawless and B&D; Productions, all proceeds from the event will go towards Volunteers in Services to Others (VISTO) of Cooke County’s Backpack Buddies program.
Backpack Buddies is a program which provides area children living at or below Federal Poverty Guidelines a backpack filled with nutritious foods every Friday after school. The children then return the backpacks on the following Monday, allowing the process to continue again on the next Friday. While the program is currently helping 850 children in 13 schools, it costs approximately $4,000 a week to run the program.
VISTO Executive Director Michelle Baldwin said the program had ran out of funds for the kids on Friday, Sept. 26, so every $5 raised at the festival would help one kid through the next weekend.
During the event, attendees could donate money to VISTO via a bucket placed in front of the stage or by slipping money into an acoustic guitar hanging by the “General Store.” Approximately, $1,000 was raised by cash donations alone throughout the weekend. An additional $2,500 was raised directly from sponsorships from PolyPipe Industries, B&D; Productions, Petroflex, First State Bank, Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Suites, State Farm Insurance and Weber Aircraft, LP.
Although Vince Pawless said he would have liked to see more people attend, he was pleased overall by the turnout especially considering it was the festival’s first year.
“You know, just the impromptu of everything and how nothing has stuck to the schedule has made it a good experience,” said Pawless. “Everybody has worked together, which has made this a great experience. I’m even more excited about plans for next year though, because the best way to do it right is to just get in there and do it which is what I think we did this year.”
Friday night’s performances were open mic and included the talents of Monte Dutton, Dave and Christi Hansel, Mark Phillips, Mike Ricwall, Stephanie Shumake and Alex Whitmore.
Both Dutton and Whitmore also performed on Saturday, along with David Byboth, Brad Hall, Tom McElvain, Mike Ricwall, 4 Texas, Scotty Thurman and Up The Creek as intermediate performances between the showcased artists for the day. Saturday’s showcased artists included Jessi Lynn, Tommy Alverson, Kevin Deal, Bob Livingston, Vince Bell and Brian Burns.
A Native Texan, Kevin Deal performed several songs off of his 2007 album, “Kevin Deal-Roll.” Highlights included “Just the Way I Roll,” “Road Trip” and “Texas & Beer.”
After his performance, Deal said his primary motivation for coming out to the festival was to help the kids.
“It’s a good, worthy cause and every kid ought to have enough to eat,” said Deal. “We live in a rich nation and there’s no reason why every kid shouldn’t have enough to eat.”
Another native Texan Bob Livingston, introduced by host and musician Butch Morgan as a “Texas Living Legend,” was also a highlight of the evening. Accompanied by guitarist Bradley Kopp, Livingston’s set was part music, part history lesson. Performing his songs “Geronmio’s Cadillac,” and the theme from “Cowboys & Indians” (a play Livingston has performed in theaters, clubs, schools and other venues throughout Texas), PawlessFest audience members were swooned by his lyrical versions of historic moments from the past. But the true gem of Livingston’s performance was a Middle English rap taken from Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” during his song, “The Beat is Young.”
When asked what brought him to Pawless, Livingston replied “it’s what we do, we’re musicians.”
He added that, “All our expenses were paid for and it was a worthwhile cause, so it was hard to refuse. I only wish more would have came out of this, but with time this festival will only grow to become better.”
Attendee and Gainesville resident Bob Fletcher said he was excited to learn about the festival.
“It’s definitely something new to have music like this in Gainesville and have it benefit Backpack for Buddies is even better,” said Fletcher.
Fletcher said the only recommendation he would have to make next year’s festival better would be to advertise more.
“This is so good already,” said Fletcher. “You can’t beat this place. It’s beautiful, there’s a great stage and good music.”
If you would like to send Pawless recommendations to make next year’s PawlessFest better, please e-mail Pawless at vince@pawless.com. To learn more about the festival, to read the artists’ biographies or to learn more about VISTO’s Backpack for Buddies program, please visit www.pawless.com/pawlessfest.html.
