A tasty blend of blues, barbecue

By Jess Camp

Published Sept. 7, 2007

An eclectic mix of country, blues, bluegrass, Appalachian folk and many other varieties of music will fill the ears of all who visit downtown Columbia today and Saturday. Those who attend will not only get a treat for the ears, but also for the olfactory senses and taste buds. The aroma of barbecued foods will waft down the streets, luring people to try a plateful of the summertime delight.

Boone County National Bank is celebrating its 150th anniversary by throwing the Roots 'N Blues 'N BBQ Festival, which will feature more than 30 bands from across the nation to supply the tunes to go with the food. The Kansas City Barbeque Society will hold a contest to see who can cook the best dish to go along with the music, and the winner will receive up to $15,000.

Event organizer Rob Presson, who helped organize the festival's acts, said he has high hopes.

"I'm expecting a good turnout and a good time for all who come," he said. "I just hope that the weather stays up."

Presson said he has been reading blogs online and has discovered that folks from all over the country are making the trek to see so many great bands in one place.

"I think that people should come for the experience of jamming," he said. "This is a good excuse to get together and to have a fun time."

Presson said he expects every band to put on a good show.

"I enjoy every band for who they are," he said. "They all look interesting. I'm just excited to have this event, and I think that Columbia is a great place to hold it."

Kevin Russell, a member of the country band The Gourds, said he is excited about the festival.

"The students are back in school, so it should be a vibrant little town," he said.

Russell said his band hasn't performed in Columbia in a few years, and he is happy to come back because he had a blast the last time The Gourds were here.

"For some reason, our travel doesn't take us through the middle of the country," Russell said. "I feel like we've been ignoring the Midwest."

Russell said he and his band love barbecued food and are ready to try the many varieties that the fest will offer.

"Being from Texas, we are aficionados of all barbecue," he said. "Our favorite is Texas-style beef brisket. I don't like all of that sauce on it, though. I come from a place that says if you need sauce on your barbecue, then it must not be very good."

Among the other bands jamming and eating will be 12-time Grammy-winner Jerry Douglas, four-time Grammy-winners The Blind Boys of Alabama and Grammy-winner and "O Brother Where Art Thou?" actor Chris Thomas King.

Three stages will be erected throughout Columbia to accommodate the performers. There will be stages in Peace Park, Flat Branch Park and one on Eighth Street.

The event is free and open to the public. In addition to the music and food, there will also be a variety of craftspeople selling homemade goods. The first act begins at 5:30 tonight and the last act will end at 11 p.m. on Saturday.