BY JAN SWOOPE
The blues-ripped rock of Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real and the rousing funk of Austin, Texas’ Mingo Fishtrap will fill downtown Columbus May 4 when Main Street Columbus kicks off the 17th annual Market Street Festival. The festival’s music committee announced the lineup this week for the ticketed concert on Main Street.
Music acts performing the following night in a free concert at the Riverwalk were announced as well. That roster boasts Jimbo Mathus and the Tri State Coalition, Eden Brent, Mark “Muleman” Massey, and Deacon Jones and the Late Night.
The real thing
Lukas Nelson, who is touring this month with his father, Willie Nelson, is fresh off a break-out year for Promise of the Real, with hundreds of live shows, the late-night circuit of David Letterman, Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel, and completion of the band’s second album, “Wasted,” due out in April. Nelson wrote all 14 tracks. The band’s pulsating shows blend hard-core blues, rock and roll and — not surprising, considering Nelson’s lineage — some country.
MSF music committee member and Main Street Columbus board member Stewart Stafford brought the 23-year-old artist to the attention of organizers.
“I saw Lukas sit in with Willie Nelson for a few songs several years ago,” Stafford said. “When we started thinking about bands for this year, I remembered us discussing how we bet he’d be a big name one day because he was such an obvious talent — just tore it up on guitar.”
The subject of Nelson’s guitar prowess surfaces frequently in music press. In one 2011 album review by Adam Sheets for roots music authority No Depression, Sheets writes, ” … He is also the best guitarist to come on the scene in years. How good, you ask? He covers Hendrix on the album and gets away with it.”
“Friday night will be a treat,” said music committee chair Mike Cooper. “Both bands are two to look out for — rising stars and fantastic musicians.”
Nelson and the Promise of the Real go on stage at 9:30 p.m.
Like father like son, times two
With Mingo Fishtrap, a Mississippi boy returns to his roots. Band leader Roger Blevins Jr. was born in Jackson and grew up listening to the soul, funk and R&B songs his dad’s bands used to play. It seems fitting that Blevins Sr. is now the seasoned bassist of his son’s band.
The group is a darling of SXSW (South by Southwest), Austin’s internationally-renowned music festival. Fishtrap took top honors at the Austin Music Awards in 2001, ’02 and ’03, and has earned firsts in Best Funk Band, Best Jam Band, Best Horns and Best Keyboards.
The band that formed on the University of North Texas campus in the mid-’90s has matured into an act Kristina Loye of mtv.com describes as “Masters of music and entertainment … This is the kind of band that will swallow you with their talent … ”
Cooper said, “I urge everyone to be at the Main Stage at 7:30 p.m. May 4 when Mingo Fishtrap kicks off the festival. Everyone will love this group.”
Tickets ($10) for the Friday, May 4, show go on sale in April at the Main Street Columbus office at 107 Fifth St. N. Visit YouTube for videos of both bands.
Down by the river
Live music Saturday night, May 5, will rev up at the Riverwalk as daytime festival activities on Main Street and surrounding blocks conclude by 5 p.m.
The Delta’s Jimbo Mathus anchors the free concert that begins with Deacon Jones and the Late Night at 5 p.m., followed by Mark “Muleman” Massey and his blues band at 6:30 p.m. and Eden Brent at 8 p.m. Mathus and friends go on at 9:30 p.m.
Over a decades-long career, Mathus developed a singular style he calls “catfish music for the masses.” Blues, Americana and rock and roll, even a hint of gospel, meld in his “songs of the South.”
Cooper said, “Jimbo really puts on a great show; we’re excited to have him Saturday night. All four music acts that night complement each other. And the atmosphere at the Riverwalk just adds to it.”
Food and beverages will be available for purchase.. Concert-goers are urged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Daytime music
Market Street Festival is known for the breadth of its day-time music lineup, too. A partial list of confirmed acts includes Charlie Burgin and Southbound Train, Swing Shift, The Motions, Larry Cantrell and the Bull Mountain Band, Star and Micey, The McKay Project, Avenue Rhodes and the Mississippi School for Math and Science Orchestra and Choir.
View the music schedule and band links at marketstreetfestival.com
Getting ready
Main Street Columbus Manager Amber Brislin said, “We’re busy working on a successful 17th annual festival. We’ve already received more than 100 vendor applications, booked the musical acts and dozens of activities. Everything is shaping up to be one of our best yet.”
Event favorites, including a 5K run, Zumba in the Streets, the Hands On Market (with paper-making and other art projects for children), the juried arts competition and a car and tractor show, will continue.
“This year we have a new video game trailer and new bungee trampoline in the children’s activity area, along with train rides, swings, inflatables, firefighter games, a dunking booth and dozens of other family activities throughout the day May 5,” Brislin added.
More festival information, as well as vendor and sponsorship applications, can be found at marketstreetfestival.com. For additional information, contact Main Street Columbus at 662-328-6305.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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