Music, Music, Music

Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder wowed the Bluegrass fans.

Each year the Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival brings a variety of musical entertainment free to the patrons of the festival.  The 2014 festival featured local talent and music from the Cummins Band on Friday during the day on the court square.  Friday night, Slik Nickel, a band whose members are from the Monticello and Crossett area provided an arrage of country, R & B, Blues, and Pop.  The lead singer and guitarist was Jimmy Robinson.  The bass guitar was played by Jamie Powell.  Bianca Timmons-Courson provided vocals, and Steve Williams also played lead guitar.  William Harbo' Harbison played the drums.

Slik Nickel livens up the crowd at the Street Dance.

The opening act for Saturday night had a hometown touch with Brethren's guitarist and vocalist Greg "Big Papa" Binns being raised in Warren, the son of Mrs. Glenda Binns and the late Bill Binns.  His mother was delighted to be a part of the audience.  The band is from Hot Springs and have a sound described as a cross between modern rock and traditional blues.  They have payed across the nation and internationally.

Ricky Skaggs and his band Kentucky Thunder began playing at 8:30 p.m. and delighted the true bluegrass lovers for an hour and a half.  Prior to the concert, Mr. Skaggs and the band had dinner, catered by the Redneck Gourmet owned by Doug Thornton, with a few of the locals.  Following the concert Mr. Skaggs did something no other band has done in years at the festival.  He stayed and signed autographs for the fans.

Greg Binns brings the music back home.

A large crowd gathered for the Saturday night concert.

Ricky Skaggs signs a fan's t-shirt.