By Lisa Watson
KEOS Radio presents the annual Lone Star Jam with a local lineup that showcases a wide variety of musical genres. The Oct. 7 concert and fundraiser celebrates the all-volunteer community station’s 23rd anniversary and wraps up its fall fund drive. The event also serves as the swan-song for the Lakeside Icehouse at Lake Bryan before it closes, with a laid-back day of live music on the water. The suggested donation this year is only $10, and all proceeds go to the station.
“Local music programs have always been an important part of KEOS’ programming,” says Krista May, board president. “We want to give the community something special while raising some money to keep those programs on the air.”
Doors open at noon. At 2pm, local favorite Ride the Panda! kicks off the show. The band is poised to get the crowd dancing with a rollicking performance that includes select covers alongside its own punk-tinged, high-energy power pop.
At 3pm, the Manzy Lowry Band takes the stage. A Ballinger native, Lowry commands the audience with an outlaw country vibe and has appeared at festivals, outdoor concerts, and other venues around the country with his original ballads. The band’s first full-length record is Muddy Waters, which skirts the grungy edge of modern Texas country-rock.
After a break for a silent auction and awarding of door prizes, the music will resume at 4pm with popular local performer Eugene, Eugene. Long regarded as one of Bryan’s finest on piano, Eugene Smith remains as committed to and inspired by music as ever, with a passionate mix of R&B, blues, jazz, and soul in store. Smith also plays at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, and hosts the KEOS show Back to Basics, featuring R&B, talk, and poetry, every Saturday night.
Another familiar group from the Brazos Valley is Jacob Appelt and Friends. Jacob Appelt and Friends takes the stage at 5pm. These talented musicians are returning this year to perform their funky hip-hop jam sounds that mostly transcend musical boundaries. “We’re beyond thrilled to be participating at the Jam again,” says Appelt, who started playing the upright bass at age 7. In addition to working in music production professionally, Appelt also hosts a popular Monday evening show on KEOS called Texas Music Workforce.
At 6pm, Milano country singer-songwriter Brooke Graham hits the stage with a solo performance. She’ll play tunes from her successful 2017 album Look at the Moon, which cascades with down-to-earth, personal lyrics, as well as her newly-released single, “Salty Situation." With both musical and writing roots (her daddy was a guitar picker and her mama was an English teacher), Graham crafts wistful melodies and confessional songs that make you want to sit by a campfire.
The Great American Boxcar Chorus will close the show with their heartfelt, rootsy mix of country, rock, bluegrass, and gospel. Anchored by singer-songwriter Ben Morris and drummer Bucky Bachmeyer, the band has an impressive grassroots following and is a “don’t miss” gig, all on their own. In terms of the tunes, the Lone Star Jam serves up a diverse mix of new and old, soft and loud, established and up-and-coming.
All ages are welcome. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.keos.org or call (979) 779-5367.
