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Burton's Bend Music Festival is foot-stomping good time
by Bob Bell

Burton’s Bend was the name given to the first permanent settlement in Furnas County, at present-day Holbrook. Burton’s Bend also lends its name to the Burton’s Bend Music Festival, a lively, quirky, two-day event where amateur musicians rub shoulders with the pros, and everyone has a foot-stomping good time.

Guests were met at the door by a very convincing “Gabby Hays”, played by Alan Bye from Seward, and the sound of a lively old country standard from the main auditorium gave them an immediate feel for what the day held in store. Held the last weekend of July in the Central Plains Development Center (an attractive repurposing of the former Holbrook School), the wide main corridor was lined with the tables and displays from musicians and vendors, creating a true festival atmosphere as crowds milled from table to table and from the auditorium to the smaller classroom stage. The intimate nature of the setting, allowed everybody to rub elbows and chat with the entertainers, and the auditorium sound system had surprisingly good acoustics, allowing the audience to hear every crisp, clear note and verse, yet still be able to whisper in a loved one’s ear.

Talent galore

The professional entertainers included a full slate of regional talent, with performance veterans like Tex and Mary Schutz; Janet McBride, the “Queen of the Yodlers”; guitar and mandolin stylist Charley Groth among many others. The event also featured an array of statewide and local talent, including Cindy Boehler, “Nebraska’s Daughter” Pat Boilesen, and a beautiful young up-and-coming singer-songwriter from nearby Arapahoe, Alexa Whipple. What makes the Burton’s Bend Music Festival special is that the pros took time to lend their expertise and support to folks learning to yodel, pick and play or just entertain.

While Three 4 All was the only official group on the schedule, there was plenty of opportunity for musicians to join in and jam together. Special theme shows included the “Yodelin’ Gals”, Janet, Alexa and Pat, who got together for a terrific set, then everybody joined in for the “Patriotic Show”, which was followed by an old fashioned “Gospel Music Gatherin’”.

Learning by doing

The classroom stage, hosted by a local group called the Back Porch Pickers, was bright and inviting and had the feel of a group of friends gathering together. This venue also provided several “open mic” slots and gave a stage to the Young Entertainers Showcase which featured a number of younger performers. To round out the event, a CD Release Party was held featuring Janet McBride, Tex and Mary Shutz, Pat Boilesen and Alexa Whipple. Door Prizes were provided by event sponsors ATC Communications (and if you didn’t get a door prize, you didn’t have a ticket).

The first Burton’s Bend Music Festival was a just a great, wholesome, fun time with a lot of wonderful music in a small town setting. Make plans now to join us next year.

Bob Bell and his family own and operate the Arapahoe Motel in Arapahoe and are active in several civic groups. Photographer Rodney Whipple is the event organizer and is VP of Information Services at ATC Communications, the event sponsor. For more information on the Burton’s Bend Music Festival, visit www.burtonsbendmusicfestival.com.

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