MAIN STAGE BRINGS BACK MEMORIES

Performers on the main stage at Riverfest '91 will likely prompt musical memories for many attending the annual event.

Riverfest is Cape Girardeau's celebration of its river heritage and will be held downtown Friday and Saturday.

A nostalgic tribute to The Beatles by the group, Yesterday as The Beatles, will perform Friday on the main stage.

Singer John Hartford, who is most famous for writing "Gentle on My Mind" and his appearances on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, will perform on the main Riverfest stage Saturday. He is also a riverboat enthusiast.

Both concerts are free. The Beatles tribute begins at 9 p.m. Friday. John Hartford will take the stage around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, following the fireworks display. The main stage, sponsored by Miller Genuine Draft, will again be situated on Spanish Street at the foot of the Common Pleas Courthouse terraces.

Greg Talbut, Riverfest entertainment chairman, said all the entertainment for this year's festival is planned to attract visitors from a wide area.

"We really see that Riverfest has grown to a regional event, not just a local event," Talbut said. "We want to bring as many people into Cape Girardeau that weekend and also have a lot of fun."

Talbut said: "We always look for something that is going to appeal to a wide choice of people. The Beatles group, I had seen and enjoyed them. And I thought they would be good for Riverfest.

"John Hartford ties in real well with the riverboat coming down."

Hartford includes river songs in his repertoire. He has written a book about riverboats, collects riverboat memorabilia and is a licensed riverboat pilot.

"So that all tied in well with Riverfest," Talbut said. "Generally, we look for someone with broad appeal and some name recognition. We also have to consider who is available and in our price range."

The musical group, Yesterday as The Beatles, performed last year at Southeast Missouri State University's homecoming.

The mop-topped quartet prides itself on looking and sounding as much like The Beatles as possible, said Jay Wolz, publicity chairman for Riverfest. The four were cast members from "Beatlemania."

Wolz said the tribute to The Beatles is divided into two parts. The quartet performs first in the familiar garb of the early Beatles. The second half of their performance is done in the costumes of Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

While Hartford is best known for writing "Gentle on my Mind," which has been recorded by nearly 500 artists and has enjoyed more than 4 million air plays, he is labeled as a multi-faceted performer.

He's a singer, dancer, songwriter and author. He plays three instruments and is a clog dancer.

At Riverfest, he will play the banjo, fiddle and guitar, performing a blend of country, bluegrass, traditional and contemporary music.