Music on the Mississippi: Marshall Tucker Band highlights New Madrid’s inaugural music festival

NEW MADRID, Mo. — It started as a discussion on how to highlight one of their community’s best features. It turned into a music festival and food truck rally.

Music on the Mississippi is scheduled from 4-8:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Cottonwood Park along the banks of the Mississippi River. It will feature local talent and the nationally known Marshall Tucker Band.

The Marshall Tucker Band will headline Music on the Mississippi, a free concert at New Madrid on Aug. 31.

And best of all, the concert is free.

According to City Administrator Aaron Griffin, it began with a conversation among himself, City Police Chief Joey Higgerson and New Madrid Mayor Nick White.

“We have such a beautiful riverfront here but it is under utilized. So we began exploring ideas to promote it,” Griffin recalled.

When Higgerson suggested a music festival, Griffin and White quickly agreed. They began looking into the logistics of what needed to be done. (See related story on page 6A.)

With the approval of the New Madrid City Council, they worked with an entertainment company from Texas to find the headliner group. White said the search for a group with broad-based appeal took about three weeks when they decided on the Marshall Tucker Band.

They wanted to feature local talent as well. Double Take from Portageville and the New Madrid group Ol’ Rivertown were added to the lineup.

“We really just wanted to do something for the town, to say we appreciate you,” said White. “I really think it is going to be a great deal.”

As far as how many people will attend the free concert, Griffin said he hopes several thousand. Since announcing Music on the Mississippi concert, he has heard positive responses from New Madrid residents and received calls from music fans from surrounding states.

“I think it is bringing some energy to town,” he said. “Something new, something exciting, something we hope to make into a tradition that this town can be known for.”

Agreeing, White added. “I want this to be a top-tier event, something people will talk about. We want this to set the tone for years to come.”

Marshall Tucker Band

Formed in 1972 in Spartanburg, S.C., the Marshall Tucker Band drew its name from a blind piano tuner after they found his name inscribed on a key to their original rehearsal space, according to the group’s biography. Since then they have made more than 20 studio albums along with live releases racking up multi-platinum album sales time and again. Their hits include “Heard It in a Love Song,” “Can’t You See,” “Fire on the Mountain,” “Long Hard Ride” and “Ramblin’.”

Doug Gray continues to carry forward the band’s legacy. His current bandmates are drummer B.B. Borden, bassist/vocalist Ryan Ware, keyboardist/saxophonist/flautist/vocalist Marcus James Henderson, guitarist/vocalist Chris Hicks and guitarist/ vocalist Rick Willis.

Double Take

Double Take of Portageville will be among groups performing during Music on the Mississippi in New Madrid on Aug. 31. Twin brothers Will and Wyatt Stinnett have performed as Double Take since they were 11.

Music is a way of life for twins, Wyatt and Will Stinnett of Portageville. The sons of Amy and Chris Stinnett, they began playing instruments at 5 and by age 11 were performing for others.

In March the group, featuring Will on guitar, Wyatt on keyboard and drummer Luke Tanner, the son of Matt and Erinn Tanner of Sikeston, released their debut album.

Ol’ Rivertown

The group Ol' Rivertown, comprised of Brandon Hanner, Byron McVay, Dillard White, Ed Thomason, David Porter and Tom Wills will open Music on the Mississippi at 4 p.m. Aug. 31 in Cottonwood Park.

“We try to sing not only songs that we enjoy but often we write songs about our own life stories and about our community -- one lyric and one tune at a time,” said the members of Ol’ Rivertown.

Members are guitarist/ mandolinist / lead vocalist Brandon Hanner, rhythm guitarist/ mandolinist / vocalist/ spokesman/ sound engineer Byron McVay, acoustic guitarist/ lead vocalist/ songwriter David Porter, bassist/ acoustic guitarist/ songwriter/ occasional vocalist Ed Thomason, electric and lead guitarist Dillard White and rhythm and lead guitarist/ dobro guitarist/ melody writer Tom Wills.

Food trucks

As of late July, the food trucks expected for the concert include: Tasty Sno Crabz, Don Manuel’s Taco Truck, Sugar Chic, Craig and Molly’s, Pepper and Smoke, Wat’s Knots, Lemonade House Grill, Paradise Grill, Nee Nee’s Cotton Candy, J&R Smoked Meats, American Legion and Fins and Feathers.

Other food trucks interested in being a part of the event can contact Griffin at the New Madrid City Hall by calling 573-748-2866.