Published: June 08, 2006 10:57 am      

All-American music delights festival crowds

The Faris Family threw a surprise on the audience at the 30th Sanders Family Bluegrass Festival on Wednesday.

In the midst of bluegrass standards and original songs, they offered something completely different for a bluegrass festival audience — a couple of Western swing tunes.

“Since we’re down here in Oklahoma, we’ll do one called ‘Take Me Back to Tulsa,’” said Bob Faris as the band broke into the classic song by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.

Featuring triple fiddles, the rendition by the Faris Family brought an enthusiastic response from the audience — no small accomplishment since bluegrass fans are known for being purists about their music.

In the audience, Orville Chapin, of Garland, Texas, applauded the Western swing songs.

“Bob Wills is all right,” he said.

The Faris Family didn’t stop taking chances though. They also performed “Blue Moon of Kentucky” and “Rank Strangers.

Those are two of the most beloved songs in the bluegrass canon, by the late Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers, respectively. No doubt many of those in the audience had heard Monroe and Ralph Stanley sing those sings live.

The Faris Family captured the essence of both songs, getting more enthusiastic applause from the crowd. They were set to be back on stage today, for afternoon and evening performances.

Continuing through Saturday night and concluding with a Sunday morning devotional, the Sanders Family Bluegrass Festival is once again attracting music fans to the McAlester area.

Tickets are $15 per day, with electrical hook-ups also available.

Following their stage performance, the Faris Family relaxed by the side of the stage. A touring family band from Ozawkie, Kan., the group tours constantly and plays around the United States.

They don’t always throw in some Western swing tunes, though.

“We do it a little more to the Southwest,” said Michelle Faris. “In this part of the country, it’s a little looser.”

Bob Faris, who is married to Michelle and is the patriarch of the band, said the triple fiddle lineup on the Western swing songs is carrying on a family tradition.

“A fiddle was my first instrument. I’ve encouraged my children to learn it. My grandfather was a fiddler,” he said.

He also referred to the Monroe and Stanley Brothers songs the band plays.

“It’s a good measuring stick, to see how we measure up,” he said.

“It’s a challenge.”com.