We ve largely been able to put the pandemic behind us, and for that I m thankful. I m also thankful the political season is over. Too many of our campaigns in Arkansas were dark ones that sought to divide rather than unite us as a people. We can hope for better in the years ahead and pray for a time when Arkansas candidates talk about Arkansas issues rather than the nationalized hot-button silliness we were forced to endure this year.
The Original Ozark Folk Festival returns to Eureka Springs Nov. 10-12 for its 75th year. The septuagenarian tradition includes a Folk Faire full of local art and music plus the traditionally beloved performance of the Hedgehoppers and the annual shoes-optional Barefoot Ball.
I’ve known for decades that an artist has to make a big enough splash out of town to generate the kind of national publicity to make touring a viable career option. And when I founded the Northeast Blues Society (NEBS) decades ago, I built the organization around an annual contest called “Coloss .
A recent trip to Helena-West Helena (for the first two days of the King Biscuit Blues Festival) and Clarksdale, Miss. (the closest place we could get a room) was a reminder of why country roads can make me so nervous.