Kearney Blues Fest Returns to the Amphitheater

The distinct sound of the blues will be filling the Amphitheater this weekend as Kearney brings back its annual Blues Festival at Jesse James Park. The festival is bringing in four acts to perform this year: the Reverend Jimmy Bratcher, the Old No. 5’s, Taylor Smith, and Howard Mahan.

The Old No. 5s will appear at the Amphitheater on August 28

Reverend Jimmy Bratcher's passion for raw-but-exacting electric guitar sounds began in the '60s when he fell under the spell of Eric Clapton, his first six-string hero. As a kid, Bratcher developed eclectic taste, culled from his large musical family, who would have sprawling jam sessions at frequent get-togethers in his native Kansas City. “I was the guy, who owned both Hendrix's “Axis: Bold As Love” and Johnny Cash's ‘At Folsom Prison,'” he attests.

In 1997 Bratcher's son Jason got him a Fender Telecaster as a gift. Bratcher wrote an inspirational blues shuffle called ‘Can't Get Over It' that's still part of his set list. Three years later, as his collection of original tunes grew, he transitioned out of the pastoral ministry and began his current traveling ministry. He took his electric guitar on the road.

The Old No. 5s are a rock n roll band from Kansas City, consisting of Brock Alexander on guitars, Olie Bowden on bass guitar and Adam Watson on percussion. The band's sound shifts effortlessly from blues to rock, roots to Americana with original material and well known classics in each genre. 

Originating in late 2011, the band has self-released two full length albums, with a third expected for release later this year, and performed across the country. Notably reaching the Semifinals at the International Blues Competition in Memphis, TN in both 2014 and 2017, the group has also appeared at the Paxico Blues Festival, the Spirit of Kansas Festival, Bonita Springs Blues Festival, Norman Music Fest and the College World Series. 

Taylor Smith moved to KC in 2017 from Kinston, NC, and has quickly made a name for himself as one of the premier blues musicians in the area. So much so in fact that he represented the Kansas City Blues Society in the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. This is his second time at Kearney Amphitheater, after his mind-bending 2018 guitar performance.

Howard Mahan and his band mates are from all over Kansas. They play the best of Classic Rock & Blues, along with originals and funky jam sessions to keep you wanting more.

Howard is from Lawrence, Landon is from Mahaska, and Tim is from Salina.

Amphitheater gates open at 4 pm on Saturday, August 28, and the show starts at 5 pm. Tickets are $7.00 in advance and $10.00 at the Gate. Advanced tickets can be purchased through KearneyAmphitheater.com.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story