By now you must have heard that Stick’s Place has taken over the old MB Corral on Sheppard Access Road, with the dive bar section having opened up on September 1. The next phase is the opening of the ballroom, and the Local Legends Music Festival and Fun Run on October 7 will be one of the first events to be held here, and one of the biggest shows featuring an all local lineup that Wichita Falls has seen in a while. This concert and fun run will be a benefit for an organization known as CASA of Red River.
Thirteen local bands will be performing from noon until 2:00 a.m. featuring Tracing Tomorrow, Joback Manwhorse, Swingblade, Black River, Ninety To Nothing, Armadillo Flatts, Romeo Whiskey, Therapy, Pvt. Wilhelm, It Hurts To Be Dead, Leddit Ride, RIP, and a very special appearance by AA Bottom. There will also be a Local Legends Jam at the end of the evening. And it is all for charity.
First of all, the fun run will be $15 single or $20 double, and will begin taking registrations at 10:00 a.m., kickstands up at noon. The concert event will be $10 at the door. All the proceeds from this event will be 
donated to CASA of Red River. CASA is Court Appointed Special Advocates for children. When a child enters the foster care system because his or her home is no longer safe, a judge may appoint a committed volunteer to help them. That volunteer is called a court appointed special advocate. CASA volunteers are screened and highly trained to represent and advocate for a child’s best interest in the child protection system. CASA volunteers serve as the eyes and ears for the judge in child welfare cases. CASA of Red River serves children in the counties of Archer, Clay, Montague,
and Wichita. And this event will bring a much needed awareness to this organization. There will be event tee shirts available for purchase that were produced by donations from the sponsors 8th St Coffee House, Redhawk Air Conditioning, Jefe’s Mexican Restaurant, Steel & Alloy Specialties, Rafter J BBQ, BOSS Poultry, Hayley’s Music, Digital Deviance, and Justin Andrew Bowers. Free airtime advertising has been provided by 1047 THE BEAR.
Kimberly and Eric Stevens, owners of Stick’s Place, along with David Falnes, the person organizing the concert, are planning to make this an annual event. David says that this show is a throwback from the Local Heroes Banquets that were held here in town back in the mid to late 80’s. He can remember the one that was held at the Stardust, and Mad Joe Martin was in the bathroom handing out his “I’m mad too, Joe!” bumper stickers. “We haven’t had a show like that here in a long time,” he says. “After Falls Fest ended, the closest thing I can think of is the Battle Of The Bands.” But at that event the bands were limited to three songs to perform. For this show they will get to play a whole set. “I think this will be the largest collection of local music acts we have had in years.”
Kimberly adds, “And it will be a variety of musical genres, which I’m excited about. There will be people coming from San Antonio, Oklahoma, Dallas, and other places to see this show.”
Reese Fields came up with the idea for this event and asked David if he would help organize it. David agreed and took the task to heart. He was looking for a park or venue in which to hold it when he learned that Kimberly and Eric were moving Stick’s Place from 311 E. Scott St. to the historic MB Corral. He asked them what could be a better place to showcase newer local talent than this place with its heritage and legacy? “So many young musicians back in the 50’s who were just starting out, almost nobodies, are now legends,” David said. He feels that some of the young local musicians of today will be legends. “And Kimberly has shown so much love for local musicians and has a passion for the local scene here, and goes out of her way to showcase that talent. And she is putting this venue back on the map.” Kimberly continues, “Not only the music, but the fellowship the musicians and bands have here.” She is truly the number one supporter of live local music. But both Kimberly and David point out that at the end of the day the people who will benefit the most from this event will be the kids that CASA of Red River helps.
October 7 will be a big day for a lot of people. Some may say legendary.
~Tim Maloney
