Red Dirt Black Gold Festival Celebrates Oil And Gas Industry

The Artesia Arts & Cultural District presents the Red Dirt Black Gold Festival on Aug. 26. The all-day festival features free concerts and entertainment celebrating the oil and gas industry.

The event kicks off at 9 a.m. at the Eagle Draw with Oilfield Olympics. The competition is not only for professionals out in the oilfield, it is also a fun way to see who can handle the hustle and bustle working on the gas- and oilfields. Best teams get awarded for first, second and third place with gold, silver and bronze trophies.

At the RDBG Kid Zone children can enjoy carnival games, rubber duck races down the fountain, crafts, sidewalk chalk and a photo booth in the Heritage Walkway.

The New MexiCAN BrewFest is located at the parking lot of Western Bank, 320 W. Texas Ave., close to the main stage. Only those 21 years and up can purchase a ticket to attend. There will be regional, local beer and cider on tap.

At 1 p.m., the Oilfield Cook-off takes place at the Heritage Plaza. The cook-off features some of the best cooks in the oil patch and onlookers can purchase meals to sample and vote for the people’s choice award.

Live music starts at 2 p.m. at the main stage at the Heritage Plaza parking lot with country singer Shari Rowe.

At 3:30 p.m., Callahan Divide is performing on the main stage. The band’s RDBG performance is one of the last performances as part of its final farewell tour before the band members go their separate ways.

At 5 p.m., the groove-oriented, old school rock ‘n’ roll band Statesboro Revue performs on the main stage.

Country singer Dalton Domino takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. Domino is filled with the wandering spirit of a storyteller that’s never content with simply drawing from the tales of others.

At 8 p.m., Bri Bagwell is set to perform. Together with her band, The Banned, Bagwell filled many triumphs that were won on her own terms. In addition to delivering the musical goods, Bagwell’s stage presence embodies a kind of flirty yet tough magnetism that allows her to quickly connect with her audience while singing songs that reveal her heartfelt, often vulnerable side.

Bagwell’s brand of Texas country undeniably rocks the house and rattles the walls.

This is Bagwell’s second performance in Artesia having performed last year at Smokin’ on the Pecos.

Bagwell started her band, The Banned, in 2011, after a top 10 finish on CMT’s “Next Superstar,” a singing competition and reality show. She released her first album “Banned” from Santa Fe in the summer of 2011, and a self-titled EP in September of 2013. Both have sold through multiple printings, and she has had impressive success on the Texas Music Chart.

“I do write my own songs,” Bagwell said. “I had a publishing deal at Sony ATV in Nashville for three years, and I wrote a lot of songs during that time. I used to write only about my own life and my own experiences; but after getting the publishing deal I was writing so much that I was gathering inspiration from everywhere: My life, others’ lives, movies, and even Facebook. I’ve been blessed to have people buy and listen to the songs I write, whether I wrote them by myself or with another great songwriter. Singing my own songs is truly the best feeling in the world.

“I always stay and meet any fans that would like to meet me, whether it takes 20 minutes or two hours. It is my favorite part of the show. If anyone wants pictures or autographs, we can totally make that happen. My fans make my world go ‘round.’”

Asked what she had worked on the last year after her show in Artesia and what her plans are, Bagwell said, “I am now five-time Texas Regional Radio Female Vocalist of the Year. I’m currently working on a new full-length album in Nashville to be finished this year or early next year.

“I have a new duet co-write on Brandon Rhyder’s newest album as well as a couple more songs recorded by fellow Texas artists. I was also named one of the Top 10 Best Live Acts in Texas Country by the Houston Press.”

At 10 p.m., Southern headliner band Whiskey Myers will take the stage. Some call the band’s style rebel music, but it’s more like everyday soul. Their songs are stories, with characters and situations that are immediately relatable. Stories of celebration, mourning, trials and triumph. Through the quality of these songs, and their undeniable power in concert and on record, the band has attracted a devoted army of outspoken fans who pack venues, sing the band’s praises online and continue to make Whiskey Myers a growing word-of-mouth sensation.

For more information, visit artesiaacd.com/red-dirt-black-gold.

Christina Stock may be contacted at 622-7710, ext. 309, or at vision@rdrnews.com.

Source: Roswell Daily Record