The 14th annual Cotton District Arts Festival, slated for Saturday, will feature a diverse lineup of performers on four stages all day. Chances are, whatever your taste in musical styles, you”re certain to find a favorite or two from this menu.
In the tradition of the supergroup CSNY comes CCRS, better known individually as Bill Cooke, Jeff Cummings, Jeffrey Rupp and Chuck Schimpf. These four artists represent the best of the Starkville acoustic music scene over the last couple of decades.
As a special accommodation for this year”s CDAF, the longtime musical friends have come together for a shared stage of all-star talent for the first time. What”s sure to be an historic set will close the day on the Eclectic Stage starting at 4 p.m.
Starkville native son and current Birmingham resident Neil Couvillion graces this year”s CDAF with his debut appearance. Couvillion has now come of age with his debut album “Time Machine.” This performer will start at 1:50 p.m. on the Eclectic Stage.
Continuing in the tradition of stellar gospel performers featured at the CDAF comes The Crowns of Joy.
This group has promoted a heavy touring schedule since the early 1980s. Not bad for a bunch of friends and relatives from Pheba. This quintet will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the CVB Main Stage.
Duff Dorrough of Ruleville, a founding member of The Tangents, made his mark on the statewide music scene with vocal styling and soulful playing both as a solo performer and as a member of the Yalobushwackers. This artist will have his first ever CDAF appearance on the Eclectic Stage at 11:40 a.m.
The Flames is a premier revue and show featuring a soul and R&B set list. Dance away the day when this act closes the Fest on the CVB Main Stage at 4 p.m.
West Point native son Jeff Florreich rolls into the Fest with his one-man band. Florreich will have his CDAF debut will be at 3 p.m. on the Eclectic Stage.
When multi instrumentalist (and Starkville native son) Jamison Hollister decided to split from Mayhem String Band last year, he ventured toward a path of more traditional folk and country fiddle. Enter Jake Fussell, a Georgia native with similar desires.
When the two met as grad students in Oxford, thus was born the string duo of Fussell and Hollister. You”ll find them opening the CDAF this year on the Eclectic Stage at 9:30 a.m.
Gas, a guitar-driven tour de force composed of veteran players from the area, comes to this year”s CDAF acclaimed as one of the hottest new acts on the local scene. This four-man group (featuring Drew Dieckmann and Tony Foster on guitar, Justin “Chelvis” Childers on bass and Robert Staggers on drums) boasts innovative songwriting, stellar chops and vocals from each member. This mixture is on the TVA Rock Stage at 11:30 a.m.
After 10 years as part of the thriving music scene in Austin, Jimmy Lee Hannaford chose to relocate to the Gulf Coast area in 2007 and now brings his considerable talents up to the CDAF for the first time this year. Welcome this native Mississippian to the Eclectic Stage at 10:35 a.m.
The return of Big Jim & the Hot Shots promises a hot set of guitar driven blues. Catch their set on the CVB Main Stage beginning at 1 p.m.
Alan Sibley & the Magnolia Ramblers perform standard and original gospel material as well as well-known bluegrass songs and instrumentals on the CVB Main Stage beginning at 10 a.m.
Starkville music scene stalwarts Ed Dechert (guitar/vocals), Ben Hodge (bass) and Scott Thomas (drums) are Poacher — a power trio delivering driving, muscular rock. Their sure-to-be raucous set begins at 1 p.m. on the TVA Rock Stage.
The Scavengers are led by saxman/vocalist K.C. Ray and keyboardist Sam Brady, this funky outfit produces rockin” blues and soul. Come check out the funk on the CVB Main Stage beginning at 2:30 p.m.
The Simpletones are drummer Gary Shaw, bassist Bruce “Bird” Crain and guitarist Ben Ferrell. The funky trio start the day at 10 a.m. on the TVA Rock Stage.
Jamie Davis & Soul Gravy make a triumphant return to the 2010 CDAF. Don”t miss a chance to see this group wrap up the Fest at 4 p.m. on the TVA Rock Stage.
Tomfoolery is an acoustic trio from the Tupelo area making a return engagement to the CDAF this year. This group begins at 12:45 p.m. on the Eclectic Stage.
Guitarists Tommie and Brandon Closson at 16 and 14, respectively, join with Brandon Russell (drums, age 14) and Michael “Ace” Caserta (bass, age 15) to form Young Guns. The fireworks start on the TVA Rock Stage at 2:30 p.m.
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