Festival adds O'Toole to music lineup
By Lori Mellinger editor@bullardnews.com

O'Toole

With only a few days to go, BullardRed, White and Blue festival is shaping to be one of spectacular proportions.

A day of fun-filled activities is planned, and spokesperson Teresa Adams-Wilks said she's excited.

"The committee has put so much work into making this something the Chamber of Commerce and the citizens of Bullard can be proud of," she said. "It's our day to show East

Texas what Bullard has to offer, and we plan on it being unforgettable."

Just last week, music chair Mike Alexander booked another act to the line up, making a total of seven performers for Saturday.

"Rich O'Toole really rounds out what we've got as far as other talent that day," Alexander said. "His sound is fresh, and he offers a lot of appeal to the younger audience. "

O'Toole, a graduate of Texas A&M once had dreams of going professional in baseball, but an injury directed him to another path: music.

In just a short time, he's gone from an underground phenomenon of the college scene to the new "It" kid of the Texas Country/Americana world.

Opening up for established bands like Reckless Kelley and Randy Rogers Band, Rich has been touring relentlessly serving up what can only be described as his own brand of electrifying country rock and roll.

The festival itself kicks off with carnival on Friday, but things really start rolling downtown Saturday morning beginning with a parade at 10 a.m.

From there, veterans will be honored, local bands will compete and Miss Red, White and Blue will be crowned.

Throughout the day, locals and visitors alike will be able to shop from the more than 80 vendors, entertain their children with clowns, a rock-climbing wall, face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, bouncy house and other activities.

For car enthusiasts, Larry Moore of Bullard Collision, has put together a car show - to be located in the parking lot of First United Methodist Church, directly behind city hall.

Area firefighters will show off their skills as they vie for first place in a firefighter challenge, organized by Bullard Volunteer Fire Department Chief Keith Newburn.

And at 1 p.m., the music starts, with Bullard favorite, Nearly There. Acts will continue through the day, including For Heaven's Sake, Arnette and Whitney Rodriguez. O'Toole goes on at 4 p.m., followed by local favorite Lauren Alexander at 6:30.

At 8:30 p.m., Todd Fritsch, the headliner, takes the stage.

Fritsch said two years and 200,000 miles might change most men, but neither the time nor the miles have really changed him; he said he's still the down-to-earth, two-stepping, cattle-ranching cowboy who burst onto the country music scene in 2005.

Alexander said Fritsch "owns" his vocals now, his band has gelled and his stage show is tighter, and he's writing more of his own material.

Fritsch said he lives in the present but cherishes the past, and he's vowed to stay true to his roots. The native of tiny Willow Springs has made it clear that he intends to include a traditional "cowboy campfire" song on every CD.

"It's really what I'm all about," he said. "I still ride the line, repair fencing, train horses and doctor our cattle, so I can identify with the characters in these old songs."

His recent hits have taken him to a new level, and he's now opening shows for the likes of Lee Ann Womack, Trick Pony, Joe Nichols, Cross Canadian Ragweed and others. In 2006, the European Country Music Association honored him in two categories: Male Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year; he performed at CMA's MusicFest; sang the National Anthem at a televised Houston Astros' game, and toured Europe twice.

"Everything has come together well," Adams-Wilks said. "Without the support of so many businesses and chamber members, none of this could have happened."

For more information or to help volunteer for the event, call the Bullard Chamber of Commerce at 903-894-4238.