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Celebrating Country and the Blues on the River
“Where words fail, music speaks.”
Hans Christian Andersen
The past two years have thrown us some curveballs. But when so many parts of our lives are changing in ways we never fathomed, music has become a common way to cope with such changes. 2021’s River and Blues Festival takes place on November 12th and 13th, and believe me, this is the place you want to be to reconnect your soul to the healing power of what music has to offer!
River & Blues Festival
The Festival’s founders Jennifer Ellison and Omar Ortiz met at Abilene Christian University (which just happens to be a sponsor for the event) and were inspired to create this festival after watching a Ken Burns documentary on country music. In the documentary, Burns compares music to a river: he says that country music and the blues flowed together until they reached a fork in the river. Country music went one way, while the blues went another way. Country music and the blues also wind through the history of music in Fort Worth, so what better place to have the event than at the literal fork of the Trinity River at Panther Island Pavilion?
There is no doubt that the founders love music. Ellison and Ortiz have worked hard to create an authentic and inclusive musical experience with an impressive lineup of artists. In addition, there will be lots of Fort Worth-based food and vendors. The hope is that this family and date night-friendly event will allow music lovers from all walks of life to feel like part of the River and Blues family.
There are several upgrades to this year’s Festival. VIP tickets include a dedicated Festival entrance, exclusive stage-front seating, a premium bar, and private restroom facilities! Another addition to the festival is Tacos and Tunes. Local taco restaurants/trucks will, including Taco Heads and Magdalena’s, will compete for “Best Taco” bragging rights in a street taco throwdown. There will also be a happy hour each day which will include discounts on drinks and merch!
Bart Crow Band
While taco competitions and private restroom access are all well and good, what really sets the River and Blues Festival apart is that they give back to our community. A portion of the proceeds and $1 of every ticket purchased will be given to the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth. The Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Ortiz has a personal connection to this amazing organization: his grandson, Mason, was born with a heart defect, and his family was able to be close as Mason was receiving treatment at Cook Children’s. Today, Mason is a healthy preteen boy, but the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth remains close to Ortiz’s heart. It’s this kind of passion and authenticity that makes this festival something to continue taking place for years to come!
Finally, we must mention the incredible lineup of artists again. No matter what your musical preferences, there is something for everyone. Taking the stage will be Larkin Poe, King Solomon Hicks, Aaron Watson, Summer Dean, and American Aquarium, just to name a few. Seasoned performers and up-and-comers will delight and keep you dancing the night away!
Fort Worth just keeps getting better! River and Blues Festival is another great contribution to our amazing city and bringing our community together through music (and food)!
For more details on times, tickets, and general questions, about River and Blues Festival, click: Here!
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