Cotton Pickin' Festival at Arbyrd starts tomorrow

Country music superstars, "The Bellamy Brothers," headlined this years Cotton Pickin' Festival, singing several of their number one hits. See additional photos on Page 10. Staff photos by George Anderson

ARBYRD, Mo. -- Country music superstars, The Bellamy Brothers, headlined the 2009 Cotton Pickin' Festival at Arbyrd, entertaining the large crowd with several of their number one and top ten hits, all while trying to help the city raise money for its park.

The 2009 Cotton Pickin' Festival kicked off with a Poker Run, beginning at 10 a.m. At 3:30 p.m., the Cotton Pickin' Parade ran through the streets of Arbyrd, featuring police and fire vehicles from Arbyrd; Cardwell, Senath, Kennett; Hornersville, Leachville, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol; horses; vehicles from the armed forces; Reserves of the Corps; motorcycles; floats; classic cars; cotton pickers; and other farm equipment.

Will Mobley, front, and Matt Mobley, back, entertain the crowd at the Cottin Pickin' Festival Parade with unicycle and lasso antics.

Musical entertainment started around dusk, with Steel Whiskey and Cody Noel, followed by the Kennett group, Jaded.

Jaded -- consisting of Matthew Poole, Matt Jackson, Nathan Creed, Daren Cunningham, and Joey Privett -- kick-started their set with several hits songs, including "Margaritaville," "Footloose," "All Summer Long," and more, playing for approximately an hour, warming the crowd up for The Bellamy Brothers.

To close their segment, Jaded performed one of their favorite songs, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."

Local band, "Jaded," performed for the crowd at the Cotton Pickin' Festival, warming the audience up for the headliners, "The Bellamy Brothers."

Following Jaded's performance, Lonnie Gibson, Jr., mayor of Arbyrd, took the stage, thanking everyone for coming.

Gibson said that about five years ago, the city began a project of trying to rejuvenate "what most would consider a dying town." He noted that part of the rejuvenation process was make the city park a welcoming place, which was the purpose for Saturday's event.

"Every dime spent here tonight goes to [the park]," Gibson said. "I feel like that is money well spent."

Gibson then thanked several of the events sponsors before handing the mic over for the introduction of the "Reggae Cowboys," The Bellamy Brothers, who walked on stage to large cheers from the crowd.

The Bellamy Brothers performed several of their number one and top ten hits, including "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me)," "Sugar Daddy," "Dancin' Cowboys," "Do You Love As Good As You Look," "Redneck Girl," "Too Much Is Not Enough," "Crazy From the Heart," "I Could Be Persuaded," and many more. They also performed their current top 40 hit, "Guilty of the Crime," a duo with the Bacon Brothers -- actor and musician, Kevin Bacon, and brother, American singer-songwriter, Michael Bacon.

Following their performance, The Bellamy Brothers held a "meet and greet" by the stage, allowing the fans in attendance to meet the band, purchase merchandise, and get autographs.

"I don't believe I've ever come to a concert with people as good as the Bellamy Brothers," Gibson said. "They are awesome. They have 14 number one hits."

The proceeds from Saturday's event will go to help build a 50 foot by 50 foot basketball court in Arbyrd's park.

Gibson said he appreciated everyone who attended the event and helped make it a success.

"We appreciate [those in attendance] for supporting Arbyrd," Gibson said. "We thank you from the bottom of our hearts."