99 Music Fest: Americana at CSUB
Truxton Mile
Fans of Americana music got a real treat Saturday, October 10 at Cal State University Bakersfield’s Amphitheater at the 99 Music Fest. Americana music is hard to describe but combines other American genres such as blues, county, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues into its own unique sound.
Fans had to brave an exceedingly hot day for October in Bakersfield with the festival running from 12:30 to 6 pm. The temperature topped out in the high 90s, but that didn’t deter the crowd.
Fans try to stay cool
The music started at 1 pm with Monty Byrom and The Road Pilots. Byrom blends a mix of musical influences including, of course being from Bakersfield, Buck Owens and Merle Haggard along with rock and blues to create his own “Bakersfield” sound. As local resident Tony Bolivar commented, “I’m a great fan of Monty Byrom. I love his music.”
Other acts included The Roustabouts, a local bluegrass band, The Sheepdogs, a rock band from Saskatchewan, Sam Outlaw, a country singer based in Los Angles, and Taft’s own Truxton Mile. Truxton Mile entertained the crowd with everything from a Merle Haggard classic, “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” to their latest single “California in My Mind.” Taylor Unruh, who plays guitar for the band, stated, “The band will be playing in Taft next week for Oildorado with other acts.”
The Sheepdogs
The headliners of the Fest were James McMurtry and Ray Wiley Hubbard. Speaking about McMurtry, local radio personality Scott Cox said, “He’s the greatest songwriter in America right now.” Hubbard is also known for his songwriting and has appeared on the Late Show with Dave Letterman. Both hail from Austin, Texas, and are fixtures in the Austin music scene.
James McMurtry
Ray Wiley Hubbard
The day of great music was rounded out by good food and drink with Michaelangelo Pizza, Johnny Rockets, Brookside Deli & Market, The Curbside Kitchen, Hungry Hunter Steakhouse, Café Med Restaurant & Deli, Iron Horse Saloon, Pyrenees Café Champs BBQ & Catering, Advance Beverage, and Imbibe Wine and Spirits Merchants on site.
The event was sponsored by Three-Way Chevrolet, Kern Insurance Associates, Cushman and Wakefield Pacific, Kern Citizens for Energy, Chain Cohn Stiles, The Padre Hotel, Fastrip, Wiki”s Wine Dive and Grill, and Barrel House Brewing Co. The event featured two stages—the Kern Insurance Associates Stage and the Chain/Cohn/ Stiles Stage.