By Pegasus Newswire
In a time when individuals and families are looking for value, Mesquite’s Real. Texas. Festival. delivers family-friendly, entertainment value in spades. With advance tickets available through April 20th for just $5 or $12 (1-day or 3-day tickets; kids 10 and under get in FREE), festivalgoers receive an incredible “bang for the buck,” including free parking, admission to our Cowboys & Chrome Car Show presented by Hooters, our “Taste of Mesquite” Barbecue Cook-Off, AND free admission to the world-famous Mesquite Championship Rodeo on Friday or Saturday evening. Add to this an incredible carnival and midway that’s sure to entertain kids of all ages, and our GO TEXAN Marketplace, a pavilion loaded with some of the best Texas-grown and produced products, including food products and wine, and there’s plenty to see and do. Finally, add to all that our incredible and diverse music lineup, including such big names as county music’s Kevin Fowler, Grammy winners Los Lonely Boys and Tejano
Real. Texas. Music. Front and Center at this Year’s Real. Texas. Festival.:
A diverse music roster will spruce up the festival’s three-day lineup. Friday night’s musical line-up kicks off on the Real. Texas. Music. Stage at 6:00 p.m., with Austin’s Amber Lucille Band whose musical stylings range from Southern blues, American roots, to country and folk rock. At 7:45 p.m., the main Stage starts revving up as James Otto, last year’s two-time Grammy-nominee (Best Male Country Vocal Performance and as Best Country Song), takes the stage. As one of several members of the MuzikMafia, his unique blend of southern rock-influenced country will have his new country fans on their feet throughout his set. Finally, at 9:30 p.m., Texas native and major recording artist Kevin Fowler takes the stage. Like Pat Green, Kevin Fowler’s brand of honky-tonk music has secured a solid following of Texas-country fans.
Saturday’s line up kicks off just past noon at 12:30 p.m., with Paula Nelson. Although she’s the daughter of country music icon Willie Nelson, Paula brings her own sensibilities and sound. With a voice that the Los Angeles Times praised, and Texas Monthly described as “torchy,” she is a worthy performer to kick-off our Saturday. Following Nelson, Richardson resident and seasoned country music performer Jolie Holliday takes the Real. Texas. Music. Stage at 2:15 p.m. With hand clapping, foot stomping, get-up-out-of-your-seat-and-dance shows that include a medley of her own hits, as well as timeless country favorites, Jolie’s electrifying concerts remain a top priority for this truly gifted performer. At 4:15 p.m., the Stillwater-based band, No Justice, takes the stage. Having been together since 2001, this band has developed a large following over the Midwest, and averages more than 200 shows a year. In 2007, No Justice released their first live album, “Live at Billy Bob’s,” joining a prestigious list of performers in the “Live at Billy Bob’s” series. Hitting the Stage at 6:15 p.m. is the Bart Crow Band. As the producers of one of the best-selling records on LonestarMusic.com, this band is bound to please this year’s crowd! Like No Justice, Johnny Cooper is no stranger to the Stillwater crowds, and was named Texas Entertainer of the Year in 2006 and 2007 at the “Oklahoma Music Awards.” He takes the stage at 7:45 p.m., and is sure to get the crowd revved up before Saturday’s Grammy award-winning performers, Los Lonely Boys, take the stage. Playing what they refer to as Texican rock ‘n roll, the brothers Garza (Ringo, Henry and JoJo) combine elements of rock ‘n roll, blues, soul, country and Tejano in their own inimitable style. As the singers of the global hit “Heaven,” Los Lonely Boys is sure to have this year’s Real. Texas. Festival. crowd on their feet and dancing, and will provide us with a wonderful close to the day.
Finally, when the festival grounds open on Sunday, the Real. Texas. Festival. will shift its musical focus to showcase Texas’ Tejano music
Friday night, playing on the Hooters Stage, at 6:00 p.m. is Oak Cliff’s own Trey Williams. A passion for the arts and a gift for writing led him to Eastfield College, where he began his training in music. With a strong and powerful voice, this country and western singer/songwriter is an artist on the rise. Taking the stage from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. will be The Factory Band, one of the metroplex’s best party/dance bands. They are sure to get the crowd fired up, and on their feet.
On Saturday, the Hooters Stage starts the day with Mesquite’s Battle of the Bands. From noon to 4:00 p.m., eight high school-aged bands will vie for bragging rights and an opportunity to meet Saturday night headliners Los Lonely Boys, and an opportunity to perform at next year’s event. Taking the stage at 4:45 p.m. is Colleyville teen and performer Haley Osier. At 6:30 p.m., Zack King Band takes the stage. With influences in Southern rock and blues, they are sure to get the crowd on their feet and rocking out! At 8:15 p.m., the DFW-based party band, Railhead, takes the stage. This group of experienced musicians is a great cover band and promises to leave the crowd wanting more.
Other Festival Attractions:
Back for its second year is the “Taste of Mesquite” Barbecue Cook-Off, presented by Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse and sanctioned by the Lone Star Barbecue Society. Cooks will compete for “Cook of the Year” honors, a $500 prize and a chance to advance to the National Barbecue Championship in October in Meridian, Texas. Last year, more than 25 professional and backyard grillers joined us to compete in our inaugural competition, and we hope to have even more competitors this year. Although sampling is NOT allowed, backyard grillers might find strolling the area and speaking with competitors to be a great place to pick up some tasty grilling tips for home. For more information and rules, please go to our website at www.realtexasfestival.com, and click on the BBQ Contest icon on the bottom of the page.
Also returning is our “Cowboys & Chrome” Car Show presented by Hooters. Produced by Gasoline Alley, this show will include multiple classes, and will be held at the Mesquite Exhibit Hall. Car aficionados will find a variety of cars from various decades, beautifully restored and tricked out. For details, please go to our website at www.realtexasfestival.com, and click on the Car Show icon on the bottom of the page.
Also returning to this year’s event, but with an even larger presence, is the Hispanic Forum of Mesquite. They will have an area in the festival that will be set up like a Mexican plaza, and will have both food and retail vendors, along with music and games sure to provide great family fun. Activities will include: Cup Cake Walk, Loteria (Mexican Bingo), Oscar’s Pony Rides (electric), with authentic serape and sombrero to wear (great photo op), Pinata game, Sombrero Ring Toss, and a fun paper flower-making craft class (great activity for parents and children to share). Additionally, other scheduled activities and performances include a Jalepeno –Eating Contest (Sat./Sun.), Soccer Juggling Contest (Sat./Sun.), and a performance by the renowned Anita Martinez Ballet Folklorico Dancers Sunday, from 1:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
New to the festival this year is our GO TEXAN MARKETPLACE, presented by the Texas Department of Agriculture. Located in its own pavilion, the GO TEXAN MARKETPLACE will showcase uniquely Texas food and retail products that highlight some of the best products that Texas has to offer.
About the Real. Texas. Festival.
The Real. Texas. Festival. runs Friday, April 24th through Sunday, April 26th at Mesquite’s Rodeo Center (1818 Rodeo Drive). The Real. Texas. Festival. is a three-day music, food and sporting event centered around the following festival elements: the All-Texas Music Jam – featuring Texas-based/born artists performing live on three stages; the “Taste of Mesquite” Barbecue Cook-off sponsored by the Lone Star Barbecue Society and presented by Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse; and the world-famous Mesquite Championship Rodeo, featuring the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Discovery Tour. Additional festival highlights include an incredible carnival and midway, the GO TEXAN Marketplace, sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture, a market that offers a variety of hand-crafted and Texas-produced products, and the Cowboys and Chrome Car Show, sponsored by Hooters. Free parking and free continuous shuttle service will be provided. For more information, visit our web site at www.realtexasfestival.com.
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