Bootheel Bluegrass Festival draws performers from far and wide

In its 13th year, the Bootheel Bluegrass Festival continues to bring in musical groups from around the country.

The Family Sowell � originally from Texas � is part of the festival this weekend. They have been involved in music since 2001, and are on the road 80 percent of the time.

�We�re a home schooling family from Texas� said Cindy Sowell, mother of six and singer for the group. �[The children] all started on the piano at 5. We chose music in our family because we knew it would be something they could do all their life. It�s all for the Lord, that�s why we do what we do.�

The adventure began with a friend recommending the family take a trip to Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, during the Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival. After attending the event, the family members� lives have �never been the same since,� Sowell said. �All of the kids were just mesmerized.�

�We always wanted to practice. We always wanted to get better at what we were doing,� said Jacob Sowell, 21, who plays banjo for the group. �It�s what we feel called to do.�

A ray of sunlight partially illuminates the face of Justus Sowell, 11, as he performs with The Family Sowell at the Bootheel Bluegrass Festival Friday at Bavarian Halle in Jackson.BEN MATTHEWS

The family also is involved in a ministry in Europe. They�ve traveled as far as Serbia and Romania with their ukuleles, to teach the local children how to play, then let them keep the instruments. Over the past five years, the family has given away more than 1,000 ukuleles.

The Lindsey Family, an 11-member family group, had to cancel a weekend performance at the last minute because of son Micheal�s brain cancer diagnosis. The Family Sowell stepped in, along with The Harpers, and are donating proceeds to the family.

Guynn Sowell, the family�s father, is responsible for the family�s transportation and serves as band manager. Naomi Sowell, 17, plays bass guitar; Abigail, 17, plays mandolin and sings; Joshua, 20, plays guitar; John-Mark, 13, plays fiddle; and Justus, 11, plays rhythm guitar.

This is the first year the Family Sowell has been part of the Bootheel Bluegrass festival.

�We�re loving every minute of it so far,� Guynn Sowell said.

The crowd listens to a performance by The Family Sowell at the Bootheel Bluegrass Festival on Friday at Bavarian Halle in Jackson.BEN MATTHEWS

Bull Harman, the festivals co-owner and coordinator, said he and his wife, Tammy, are thankful for all who attend the festival each year.

�We have �bluegrassers� who show up early to volunteer and set up chairs. That�s just how bluegrass people are. They always come together for something like this,� he said.

The Bootheel Bluegrass Festival continues through Sunday evening at the Bavarian Halle in Fruitland. The entry fee is $15 a day, or $30 for the weekend pass, with an additional $11 fee for an all-you-can-eat buffet Sunday. More information can be found at www.bootheelbluegrass.com.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3632

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