Bootheel Bluegrass Festival makes return to Fruitland

The Bootheel Bluegrass Festival is once again coming to Fruitland next week.

Bull Harman of Bull Harman and Bull's Eye is expecting this year's event to continue its tradition of great music and good times when his group and several others come together at the Bavarian Halle.

Harman has been organizing the festival for five years, along with his wife, Tammy. It previously was handled by Bruce Punches. Every year, about 400 people attend.

"It turned into a pretty nice event, and people really enjoy it," he said. What fans enjoy most are the family groups that perform, he said.

It is a family affair for the Harmans, as well. His wife sings, as does his son, who also plays the bass. Harman plays the guitar and adds his vocals.

"I sing baritone -- or, as I call it, barely tone!" he joked.

Other performers will be The Ross Family, The Harpers, The Lewises, The Gipsons, The Baker Family, Chris Talley Trio, Blue Strings, Big Mill, Herbie Johnston & Fiddler's Frolic and The Burie Family. Some of the performers frequent the annual event, while others are new.

The Gipsons and The Bakers are "two of the groups people absolutely love," Harman said. The crowd loves that their children participate.

"It's neat to see them grow from children to adults and get better at what they do," he said.

He praised the Gipson children's strong faith.

"If you don't know about Christ before you meet these children," he said, "you'll know after -- and I'm talking about children, not teenagers."

Harman hearkened back to his childhood to highlight his bluegrass beginning.

"Bluegrass was in my family years and years ago," he said, sharing that his paternal grandparents came out of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Floyd, Virginia, in the 1920s, when they moved to Illinois, looking for work. His grandfather had a guitar, banjo and mandolin.

"That's what we had to start out on," Harman said. The family also had an "old hand-cranked Victrola," on which they listened to "a bunch of 78 records" featuring The Stanley Brothers, The Carter Family and Bill Monroe.

"From there, we started playing here and there and picking around the house," he said.

Thirty-eight years later, Harman still is performing -- and loving it.

"The unique thing about bluegrass music is all ages can enjoy it and be around a good environment, rather than having to have beer and cigarettes to enjoy it," he said. "It's more of a family-type music. It's not about drinking beer and going out ... like most music is now."

He admitted "there are some killing songs" but said bluegrass entails "all kinds of love songs."

Harman promised bluegrass lovers a great festival. Attendees will "go out of there with a memory they won't forget," he said.

And to those unfamiliar with the genre, he vowed, "If they never heard it before, they will go out of there being a big bluegrass fan. ... It makes you feel good."

Performers not on the program who would like to take part are welcome, as guest bands are invited to sign up. Vendor space also is available.

Harman broke down the weekend as follows: On Thursday night, the 7 to 10 p.m. all-gospel show costs $8; on Jan. 29, admission for the full-day event, which takes place from 2 to 10 p.m., is $15; and Jan. 30 also costs $15 for the full day, which is from 1 to 10 p.m. Weekend passes for all three days are available for $28. Admission is free for those 16 and younger.

Meals will be available Jan. 29 and 30 for those who choose to remain on the premises during the 5 p.m. supper break.

"Food will be served right there in the hall where the bluegrass festival is," Harman said.

On Jan. 29, attendees may have a supper from Country Mart for $7, and Jan. 30, a Country Mart buffet will be available for $10.

Those who wish to participate as a guest band or would like to be a vendor may contact Harman at (314) 368-4418 or (314) 779-8800.

Pertinent address:

225 Drury Lane, Jackson, Mo.