2. Nothin' But A Party
2. Nothin' But A Party (original release
1978 - re-release 2007)
Skidmore Shuffle -
Branded - Oh, Baby - Life With You - I've Got A Bag of My Own - Bump Bounce
Boogie - For a Little While - You're The One - What Is Soul - Higher and Higher
- Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now - Goin' Back To Miami
This is FESTIVAL, in 1978. FESTIVAL was a high-energy big band, and their performances were “Nothin’ But A Party”. FESTIVAL was big band horns, backed by a rock rhythm section. FESTIVAL soon became known as “the world’s funkiest cowboy band”. In 1978, the 18-member Festival Family included four brothers, three married couples, and one child. They all lived together as a communal family on the Festival Farm near Skidmore, Missouri. The Festival Family motto was, “Living together in peace and harmony through music”. Their common bond was a love of music, a love of parties, and love for each other. Many of the Festival Family members had gone to college together at Northwest Missouri State University, in Maryville, Missouri. Britt Small was not only the bandleader; he was also the head of the family. Throughout the years, the Festival Family grew to 30 members strong. The second album begins with, "Skidmore Shuffle", written by Britt and Don. Another Archie Johnson song, "Branded", could have been written about FESTIVAL's outlaw image in the music industry. Two more Dave Small songs, "Life With You", and, "Oh, Baby", explore FESTIVAL's divergent musical styles. More FESTIVAL influences are saluted with James Brown's, "I've Got A Bag Of My Own", Lou Rawl's, "You're The One", Jackie Wilson's, "Higher & Higher", Wayne Cochran's, "Goin' Back To Miami", The Mob's, "For A Little While", the Tower of Power's, "Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now", and an exploration into western swing with Becky singing Asleep At The Wheel's, "Bump, Bounce, Boogie". During one of their Canadian tours, FESTIVAL acquired the first album of a Scottish funk group, not yet released in the U.S., called the Average White Band, and put some special, up-tempo FESTIVAL funk on, "What Is Soul". While on stage, FESTIVAL entertained audiences with their energetic, and often, comedic style. Their performances gained them the reputation, “FESTIVAL ain’t nothin’ but a great big party”, and now you’re all invited!