By Mark Stalcup
STAFF WRITER
Picking the strings with his fingers and thumbs, guitarist and Linton native Kade
Puckett has been a mainstay of the Music Fest all five years of its existence.
Puckett's musical roots run deep. The
37-year-old musician helped build and play the world's largest guitar
locally, with the mammoth musical instrument eventually sold to Dick
Clark.
"I try to get in all the music I can," he said, listening to
varied styles of music and drawing upon everything from major
influences like Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed to his latest focus, the
gypsy jazz of artists like Django Reinhardt.
"If I like it, I have to learn it," he said. "Music like that
teaches you to listen. You have to learn that too, along with using
your fingers."
Slated for two shows this festival, Puckett will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The latter show's likely to be "a little more intimate," he
said, but added he rarely prepares a set list, preferring to adjust his
song selections to how he feels on a given day.
"I just keep adding on music," he said, adding he's continually
composing songs not only for his own use, but also for potential sale
to movies, TV and other artists.
He typically performs solo, but does occasionally sit in with other artists.
"I also do weddings, festivals, and finger-picking style contests."
Performing for 24 years,
Puckett's composed hundreds of songs. Some are for sale at his Web site,
www.myspace.com/kadepuckett, including a cover version of "The Entertainer," a Scott Joplin ragtime tune made famous by "The Sting."
Puckett was inspired by his hero
Atkins' covering the song, and worked extensively to learn how to
perform all the parts, as his hero had.
"That's one of my favorite songs, even though I love rock and roll."
Puckett's proud of the annual Music Fest, a showcase that combines local talent with regional acts over the Labor Day weekend.
"I grew up in that park, swam in that park, and I still ride my
bicycle in that park," he said. "It's surprising, really, how much
talent we have locally. I know that there are a lot of out-of-town
acts, but there are a lot of talented new acts, and some older ones,
too, from here."