Dustin Perkins’ first-ever Family Jamm

Mary Jane Farmer | November 2, 2018 | Reply

Dustin Perkins

First printed in the 11/2/18 issue of Paris News (TheParisNews.com)

Mary Jane Farmer, MaryJane@SceneInTown.com

The first weekend in November will be filled with music in Bells. The Bells on Broadway Stage welcomes home native son Dustin Perkins. Perkins, along with his original band friends from the region, are providing a musical buffet that is family-friendly and welcoming to all ages.

Dustin Perkins is a native to Bells, but doesn’t get a chance to return home often, except maybe a few holidays spent with his mom and dad. He’s living in Oklahoma now, building his own home and working at what many musicians often call “a real job.” But that will change this weekend, with the Dustin Perkins Family Jamm, which begins tonight with a community pep rally to send the Bells High School Panthers over to Whitewright for its game.

Promoter/producer Jason Smith, of Overdrive Entertainment, said he and Dustin began talking about the possibility of taking Dustin’s music back home about two years ago. But, it was just casual talk then. But the idea tucked itself into a corner of Smith’s head, and then began to grow. Smith talked with city leaders who liked the idea, especially when it began to center around the football team and then include a canned food drive for the whole community. Smith went through procedure to obtain official approval; and that done, he set out to find sponsors. Douglass Distributing is the major sponsor.

Jared Mitchell Band

The Family Jamm is being held at a stage already in place, but seldom used — the Bells on Broadway Stage. Smith is excited to be able to use this stage, he said, because of its great access to the public and centralized location. “Bells has this amazing stage, which nobody uses,” Smith said. The festival grounds are right beside Bells City Hall, which is 203 S. Broadway.

Playing Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m., are Chase Bowen and Daniel King, followed by Sons of Fannin, Brad Wayne Purdom, Ed Burleson, Thirties TX, the Jared Mitchell Band (formerly Spur 503), Connor Harris, and lastly, the Dustin Perkins Band.

Sunday, at 1:30 p.m., is a bluegrass jam led by Fred Spears and Brent Frailicks, followed by pot-luck Dinner on the Ground. Spears is originally from Nashville and toured with Nashville icons. He’s now a North Texas regular, playing many instruments. Frailicks has his own band, also, and formerly toured with country artist Janie Fricke.

And when you look at all the Saturday-featured musicians, you’ll note that you are familiar with most of them, since all are from right here in North Texas.

Smith described the new Thirties TX band, led by Nathan Brown, as “a Gram Parsons/ Flying Burrito Brothers sound, with multi-level harmonies.” For this show, they are performing as a duo.

And Chase Bowen, originally from Whitewright, as a “really young Stoney (LaRue).”

Fred Spears

And all it takes to get into the concerts, each time, is one can, per attendee, of nourishing food. All food collected will go into a food bank to be used by those in need. Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs, and Smith added, “bring blankets, coolers, family, and smiles to enjoy a throwback style community event in Bells.”

Dustin Perkins and his bandmates have been practicing for this event. They do before every concert they play, and the live video of their last session clearly records Perkins’ distinctive raspy voice. It also shows these friends, more like family to one another, includes Jarod Mitchell on keyboards, and there are other cross-overs members in the various bands. They will be playing many of their standards which have been recorded on numerous Dustin Perkins CDs.

Oh, and don’t forget to set clocks back an hour after the Saturday night concert, so you’ll be on time for the Sunday bluegrass jam. It is that time of the year, when Daylight Savings Time kicks in.

More details about this unique music festival are on Facebook, Dustin Perkins Family Jamm page.