Bellamy Brothers to headline Lake Fork Bassmasters

Country music concerts have returned to the Simms BassMaster Elite Fishing Tournament at Lake Fork May 19-22, headquartered at the Sabine River Authority property east of the dam.

The elite tournament will have a unique two-day festival on Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22. There are no admission charges during the Saturday and Sunday festival. The Pilot Club of Quitman has taken over planning festival events for the whole family. All festival activities, including the concerts, are free to the public.

Highlighting the festival are two popular country music artists. The Bellamy Brothers will be on stage Sunday with a concert at 1:30 p.m. Howard and David Bellamy are from Darby, Fla. and still run a 300-acre ranch where they raise Brahman cattle and quarter horses, with three generations of the family living on the family compound. They also have a studio at the ranch.

The Bellamy Brothers continue to perform before sell-out crowds in the U.S. and around the world. The duo’s first public performance was with their father in 1968 at the Rattlesnake Roundup in San Antonio, Fla. Their first paying gigs were playing at fraternity parties at the University of Florida.

The Bellamy’s first hit was “Let Your Love Flow” in 1976. The brother’s popularity soared after the release of “If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold it Against Me.” The brothers continued their climb in the country music charts with songs like “Old Hippie,” “Redneck Girl” and “Kids of the Baby Boom.” “Old Hippie” was named to Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 100 Country Songs of All Time. The Bellamy Brothers have won many awards from the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music. They have also been inducted to the Florida Artist Hall of Fame.

They have played for American troops stationed at sites throughout the world. The brothers made history as the first country music act touring Asian countries as well as India and Sri Lanka. The band partnered with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to release a video of “Let Your Love Flow” supporting the foundation’s breast cancer research by donating one dollar for every digital download in their 40-Year package.

Quitman’s Bobby Irwin will hit the stage Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Irwin is the most recent national FFA talent winner. Irwin won the title after mesmerizing the FFA crowd of 57,000 in Indianapolis during their national convention.

Irwin is a rising star in the Texas music scene with five singles already produced. He won TXM Records Texana Texas Troubadour Singer and Songwriter competition. Irwin has been busy on the road this spring playing to large crowds at various locations. 

As part of the two days of fun, the “Great Dam Race” will start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. This is a rare opportunity to view Lake Fork from the top of the dam during a timed 5K. Following the 5K, the whole family can enjoy an untimed family fun walk/run. Racers and walkers can register at www.active.com. The dam is usually closed to the public.

Saturday and Sunday activities will include a Hawg Trough Bass fishing experience as well as a catfish experience. 

Quitman Pilots will be sponsoring a bicycle rodeo from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Children in the 1st and 2nd grade who finish the rodeo will receive a free bicycle helmet. Children can also enjoy interactive puppets and other experiences. They will also be entered in a drawing for four bicycles.

Final weigh-ins will be at 3 p.m. with the final awards being given to the top anglers. For a full schedule of festival events visit lovewoodcounty.com/bassmaster or quitmanpilot.org.

The vendor fair and concerts have been organized through a partnership of the Quitman Pilot Club, Wood County Economic Development Commission and the Sabine River Authority. Net proceeds from sponsorships will benefit Pilot Clubs of Wood County in Quitman, Mineola and Winnsboro.