by Liz Daube
Staff Writer
The Downtown Farmer’s Market got a new sound last Friday. A country and bluegrass band featuring Ray Franks of “The Can’t Hardly Play Boys” livened up Hemming Plaza. The mandolin and banjo sound was a bit different from the usual one-man bands that entertain patrons and customers alike.
Karen Barnes, promotions director for Downtown Vision, Inc., hopes the performance will be part of a push for musical variety at the weekly Farmers’ Market. She said she’s looking for new talent to supplement the market’s regular solo performers.
“We try to mix it up and get something different in there once in a while,” said Barnes, adding that any kind of music could work, so long as it’s appropriate and family friendly. “We’re not going to put death metal in the farmer’s market.”
Funding poses the biggest challenge to Barnes’ recruiting efforts. She said the market has a limited budget. Without sponsorship to help with funding, most musicians command a higher price than Barnes can pay.
Family ties brought the bluegrass group to the market. Liz Knight, program manager for Downtown Vision’s ambassador program, asked her father, Rush Severance, to come play. He gathered a small group of friends, and Knight made arrangements.
Franks, the group’s vocalist and guitarist, has been singing and playing professionally since the 1960s. He said he only lives in Florida during the winter. In the summer, he lives and performs in Michigan, making regular appearances on local radio and TV shows.
Vernita Norvell, the band’s bass player, said Franks adapts his performance for each audience. The market shoppers and vendors received the same special treatment.
“There’s a gospel crowd here,” said Franks, who also received requests for old country songs.
Franks and Severance said they were surprised by the small size of the crowd. Roughly 20 people milled around the vendors’ tents at 1 p.m. Franks had CDs for sale, but he said he hadn’t sold any.
“There were three times as many vendors here last time,” said Severance.
Amie Carle, a vendor who sells handmade jewelry and bath products, said she enjoyed the bluegrass music. She said live music usually draws people in to shop, although business was slow Friday.
“It’s really hard to have daytime events during the week,” Carle said. “If the weather’s not perfect, people don’t come out.”
Carle said she hopes to see more bands in the future. She suggested a drum circle, like the one she’s seen performed at Art Walk, might be fun.
Franks said the bluegrass group doesn’t have another performance in Jacksonville planned. Before departing for Michigan in May, he will play at the Old Fashioned River Party in Manatee Springs State Park April 8-9.
Barnes said she will continue to look for low-cost, quality entertainers, including reggae, new age and symphony music. Bands interested in playing at the Farmer’s Market can contact Barnes through DVI or stop by DVI’s offices at the corner of Hogan and Adams streets.