Finally Fridays with Kelly & Sarah

01.20.2023 - This week’s Finally Fridays celebration at the Harvester Historic Downtown Smithville, Tennessee, was yet one more winning performance in a streak of young, upcoming artists/songwriters brought to our attention courtesy of our friend and fellow authentic music-lover, Jake Nokes.

Kelly & Sarah (twins from El Paso, IL) graced the Harvester stage in many ways, and immediately captivated the crowd with their uptempo, very on-pitch vocal harmony (you can’t beat organic family harmony), their honest “we’re having fun up here” stage presence, and their gracious appreciation of the Harvester audience’s enthusiastic response made for a very positive, enjoyable interaction during their mixed set of cover and original material. I predict these talented young sisters are going to be a force in the country music scene in the future- they are the “real deal”, to use the Nashville vernacular. (Did I mention delightful and bea-u-ti-ful?) 

Also, Kelly & Sarah brought along a very capable guitarist accompanist, Alex R. Mondine - He’s a Belmont grad, and freelances in Nashville as a studio and live guitar player. (Now THERE’s some nerve – it’s right there on his card!) Well, guess what? Alex is all that and more - he stood back there and cranked out great feeling music beds for K&S to weave their harmonies on during their entire performance without a glitch - excellent work, Alex! 

Being this close to Nashvegas and other growing Metro’s has its perks, and one of them is folks that escape from the hub-bub every weekend who discover Smithville, Tennessee, and immediately start scheming on ways to move here permanently. Another proximity positive is being able to work with (mostly) young artists and performers who are honing their performance chops while trying to figure out how to be “the next big thing” in the muzik biz. 

There’s folks from all walks of life who visit and appreciate the combo of lifestyle alternatives here, ranging from unspoiled nature to dining, lodging, and leisure/entertainment options that equal anything available in much more crowded locations.   

For me, it’s a privilege to just “be here”...especially when “here” is Finally Fridays at the Harvester! Special thanks to Phil Stafford (sound engineer), and Tio’s Taco Truck (on the road with their always yummy, always-authentic Mexican food). 

Up next we return to the Harvester in Downtown Smithville for Comedy Night with Headliner Rene Vaca, Opener Fiona Cauley, and Host Amber Autry this Thursday, 1/26.

And another reminder that the Tennessee Songwriters Week 2023 Qualifying Round is happening on Thursday, 2/2…from sources around the campfire, Kelly and Sarah are going to be back on The Flatwoods Stage to compete for the Harvester’s Qualifying Round Title! Lots more coming up, Finally Fridays with Southern Sunrise on 2/10, Bert’s on Thursdays at the Harvester with John Rose on 2/16, and Finally Fridays St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with the John Boulware Trio on 3/17. Be on the lookout for more live music events announced in the coming weeks!

Again, thanks to all the newcomers from around the nation that descended upon Historic Downtown Smithville to check out the Harvester on a gorgeous winter evening. All the details for upcoming events at burlaproom.eventbrite.com. Stay up-to-date with all the events in the Bert Driver Network (Nursery, Burlap Room, and the Harvester) by signing up for our Burlapper Newsletter!

 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  The Harvester Performance & Event Center, in association with the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree, has been selected as one of several venues across the state to host a Qualifying Round for the 2023 Tennessee Songwriters Week competition. This special event, presented by the Burlap Room, has been scheduled for Thursday, 2/2/2023 at the Harvester – if you would like to enter this competition, fill out the entry form here, and check out the official rules on the Tennessee Tourism website here.

📸 @m.m.antoniak, Jake Nokes, & Harvester staff