The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) and 2017 carnival sponsors are excited to announce the musical entertainment chosen for the 74th White River Water Carnival.
Born and raised in small-town New England, folksinger and performer Keith Symanowitz forged a deep connection with his family’s southern roots at an early age. Having encountered some of America’s oldest roots music in his travels across the south, Keith has cultivated a sound as unique as his influences, blending the melodies of an old-time string band with the soulful vocals of a Memphis bluesman. Keith recently performed for a sold-out crowd in Batesville at the Melba Theater for the James Taylor & Carol King Tribute concert and will be returning to the White River Water Carnival stage with a full band this time.
The Lockhouse Orchestra was formed by Danny Dozier to perform a series of monthly concerts that lasted about two years, and each month, the band would do a tribute to a different artist. Some of the artists covered included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Creedence, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, artists from the Motown era, and more.
Although the diversity of experience of the musicians is what makes this band special, the members of Lockhouse have two very important things in common: the love of music and the love and appreciation of the Ozarks. Each of the members had their own music career before returning home. These musicians’ experience pulls from country, rock, blues, gospel, folk, and heavy metal. The band members include John Parks, Jason Moser and Danny Dozier, all from Batesville. Parks plays guitar and sings, Moser plays drums, and Dozier plays guitar and sings. Sarah Jo Roark of Melbourne sings and plays percussion; Penny Wolfe of Evening Shade sings and plays percussion; and Jerry Bone of Oxford plays bass.
“Thanks to our entertainment sponsors ARcare, Cup’d Up Outdoors, Lifeplus and Precise Heating and Air, we are able to provide two acts of musical entertainment that are sure to entertain every age group,” said BACC Tourism Director Kyle Christopher.
About the White River Water Carnival:
The White River Water Carnival is a free, family event that features entertainment, food vendors, craft and commercial vendors, a parade, and kids’ activities. The event is presented by Bad Boy Mowers. Kids’ activities require the purchase of an admission armband and are sponsored in part by FNBC, McDonald’s, Littlefield Oil, Pepsi and Westrock Orthodontics. The car show is sponsored by the Wood Family Dealerships. The parade is sponsored by Citizens Bank. Other carnival entertainment is sponsored by ARCare, the City of Batesville, Cup’d Up Outdoors, Flowers Baking Company, Life Plus, Merchants & Planters Bank, Ozark Mountain Poultry, Precise Heating & Air, Sherwood Urgent Care, and Sonic Drive-In. Promotional sponsors include Southern Charm and the UPS Store. For more information, please contact the BACC at (870) 793-2378.
