What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1270643
10 WHAT'S UP! JULY 19-25, 2020 Peacemaker, most don't know the next event they'll have to look forward to. The same can obviously be said for fans of live music — not knowing the next concert they'll have the opportunity to attend — but unfortunately, charities and nonprofits are suffering similarly, and that's one of the reasons organizers felt moved to still host Peacemaker this year. Each year, proceeds from the event, which is a nonprofit organization itself, support up to five charities in the River Valley. "Truth be told, this year, a lot of these charities that we raise money for, it's vital to them with everything going on with covid," Johnson says of the festival's community impact. "A lot of these charitable organizations have either not received the funding they've been receiving or they've had to cancel some of their own events that are fundraisers. So we're really excited that we're going to be able to continue to put the show on." As they have in the past, this year, Peacemaker is partnering with the Children's Emergency Shelter, Developmental Wings and Girls Inc. as the festival's beneficiaries. "This is a community-centric event that is focused solely on providing fun, yet safe, outdoor venue entertainment to people while also continuing to give back to these local charities that do great work in our community helping others," Johnson asserts proudly. Each of the artists who spoke with What's Up addressed both the healing and uplifting capacity of music and their eagerness to get back to sharing that connection with audiences. If it can't be live, though, here are a few suggestions from the Peacemaker artists for the music they've been turning to to help them get by: Hold My Beer & Watch This: Wade Bowen always turns to Springsteen, and Randy Rogers always turns to Merle. Those both seem to have all the answers. Always have. Kaitlin Butts: The last couple of months, I've really loved listening to Hailey Whitters and her new album "The Dream" for my happy and sad songs. I'm listening to Caitlyn Smith ("Starfire") and Tenille Townes. I am forever a huge fan of Brandi Carlile, also her new project called The Highwomen — with Amanda Shires, Natalie Hemby and Maren Morris. Songs like "Crowded Table" give me hope. I also listen a lot to playlists on Spotify that I've curated for each mood. I have one called "Make Me Happy" that I like to turn on and dance around to in the kitchen. "On Repeat" has all of my favorite songs from over the last few years. And I have others that really bring out the tears. Ed Jurdi: There is an endless well for me — I'm always looking deeper and deeper. Of late, I've been listening to Bob Dylan, Beppe Gambetta, Eddie Lang, Mavis Staples, Bill Withers, My Morning Jacket, Nicki Bluhm, Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff. Though The Band of Heathens are spread out all over the country (California, Texas, Tennessee and North Carolina), the group has found a way to still build connections and uplift with their music. "We've been able to put together a really entertaining and interesting variety show called the Good Time Supper Club, which we put on every Tuesday night and broadcast from our living room to yours," explains singer/guitarist/keyboardist Ed Jurdi. "We've been able to use the show as a springboard for making music and collaborating with some of our friends like Margo Price and Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke. I've been really proud of our ability to make lemonade out of lemons, considering the circumstances." (Courtesy Photo/Jason Quigley) "Music can provide a backdrop for celebration of the common thread that runs through us. It can provide the feeling of connection and shared experience, which is so needed right now," Kaitlin Butts says thoughtfully. Butts is an Oklahoma native on the rise thanks to her sharp wit and her exigent storytelling. "The best thing about music is that it can tell basic truths and convey raw emotions with melodies attached that cause people to listen and feel with more depth. I think music is an important part of getting through our current situations. Writers can do so much with songs — they can bring comfort, humor and can inspire people to change for the better by touching the emotions of the listener." (Courtesy Photo) Peacemaker Continued From Page 9 COVER STORY