The Big Sting: It's A Country Thing Finale!

They say all good things must come to an end. What an end for this fabulous 3-day music festival.


Christie Huff is a country singer songwriter who brings a touch of pop to her soulful sound. She's an LA girl now, but attributes her country background to her childhood in Arizona. Consistent trips to Nashville to co-write with other country songwriters keep her country ties strong. She is currently working on releasing singles consistently. Christie is well-known in LA and Orange County, and she now performs her original songs both acoustically and with her band. She has performed all over the U.S. and played many historic spots in LA.
Christie was as talented as she was sweet.

This was my favorite shirt slogan, of the weekend, "Smoke Brisket, Not Meth". At first I thought it was just humorous, but as I researched more, according to the National Drug Intelligence Center's Drug Threat Assessment, "Methamphetamine is a primary drug threat to Arizona, and is increasing. High purity, low cost methamphetamine is readily available, and the drug is abused throughout the state." So I guess this shirt is a Public Service Announcement, too. That said, we never saw anyone in Arizona who appeared to have a drug problem or be homeless. I wonder how big of a threat it really is.
Okay, happy stuff. This Big Sting themed tattoo belongs to Vicky, the Queen Bee and exceptional organizer of this all. Not only was the weekend one of merriment, it was one for cause- The Shadows Foundation. This nonprofit, based in Flagstaff, is dedicated to helping those individuals in need who are affected by life threatening diseases by providing services and financial assistance when they need it most. So heartwarming. Wow!
The vendors were varied and fun, each of them. Nevari had the best Fry Bread and its owner, Richard, was a super cool guy. Shopping was fun, too. Steve, you will notice in a later photograph, is sporting a brand new, very handsome cowboy hat. Fun stuff.
An evening's highlight was another opportunity to see 17 year old Seth Hartwick showcase his talents. This time Steve made a video so you can meet him, too. Wow, right?!

Seth's Posse was there again, in full force, and their enthusiasm was infectious. How awesome to have such dedicated friends.
Each night, as the sun called it a day, the American flag was raised and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem was sung. If you ever need and infusion of patriotism, attend a Country Western music festival!

Our evening ended with the most incredible finale, Payton Smith.
At just 24 years old, Louisiana native singer-songwriter and self-taught guitarist, Payton Smith, has a lot to celebrate. Smith began releasing music in 2019; quickly amassing over 50 million streams on his debut single, “Like I Knew You Would”. Known for not only high-energy guitar slinging and smooth vocals, the CMT 2021 Listen Up artist also composed and played every string instrument on each track of his debut project.
As Taste of Country noted his “raw talent, authenticity and strong work ethic are bound to bring him country music success for many, many years” as one of 2021’s Hottest Country Artists Under 25. Music Row called Smith the 2021 Next Big Thing, while “Like I Knew You Would” charted as the #7 song of the year on Spotify’s Hot Country. 

And he is just a really nice kid! We loved how approachable and sincere each of the performers were. That was a highlight of the festival for sure.
Tomorrow we move on. We leave with musical memories, and new favorites. The Big Sting was more than we had hoped it would be and one year we will be back. Why? It's a Country Thing!

"Music is that voice that tells us that
the human race is greater than it knows.”
– Napoleon Bonaparte

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The Big Sting: Day 2

Since we are ideally camped near picturesque Lake Watson and since the music festival doesn't get hopping until the afternoon, we headed out for an explore before the temps reach 90°.

The peacefulness of it all is captured in this photo.
The hiking paths are clearly marked. If we had any doubt as to where we were going, we followed the white dots.






The terrain is varied and the area is known for its birding. What an interesting hike.





The beauty of camping at The Big Sting is the fact that naps can happen before the merriment begins (and between performers)! Matt Farris brought bountiful merriment. What a blast.
As Matt sang while wandering in the audience, another performer did an impromptu duet with him. Fun stuff.
Musician Seth Hartwick (far right) was up next and boy did he surprise.
At only 17, Seth has star qualities. That boy is going places.

His posse is his greatest fan. These guys cracked me up with their enthusiasm for their friend.

We are definitely new fans. I asked for this photo because I know he's going to be someone BIG!
Whitney Lusk performed last night and we really enjoyed her. What fun to hear her again, this time with her band.
"Whitney is a home grown Country artist from Spanish Fork, Utah. This rising country star is sure to grab your attention with her catchy lyrics and phenomenal vocals! Whitney travels from L.A. to Nashville to song-write, perform and promote her music."
As the sun sets, the temps drop but the fun level rises. Yee haw!
John King was another of the acoustic singers from last night but this show seemed like an entirely different performer. He was fantastic!

Here's just a snippet of his musical magic! We are hooked on John King.


“Music has a great power for bringing people together.
With so many forces in this world
acting to drive wedges between people,
it’s important to preserve those things that help us
experience our common humanity.”
– Ted Turner

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A Prescott, AZ Weekend

After only 14 hours after returning to our house from my busy East Coast adventure, we were loaded up in our camper and on our way to Prescott, Arizona for the next fun happening.

Prescott was founded in 1864 at the behest of Congress and President Abraham Lincoln in an effort to secure the area's mineral riches for the Union forces during the Civil War, the town was named for historian William Hickling Prescott by the settlers. This was a new place for us so we were excited to learn its history.
Wanting to gain more knowledge bout Prescott and beyond, we headed to Sharlot Hall Museum, named after its founder, Sharlot Mabridth Hall (1870-1943).  Sharlot became well-known as a poet, activist, politician, and Territorial Historian (the first woman to hold a salaried office in Arizona). She was considered one of the West’s most remarkable women and someone I need to read more about.
As early as 1907, Ms. Hall saw the need to save Arizona’s history and planned to develop a museum. She began to collect both Native American and pioneer material. In 1927, she began restoring the first Territorial Governor’s residence and offices to house her extensive collection of artifacts and documents. The Gubernatorial Mansion Museum opened in 1928. After her death in 1943, the museum was re-named in her honor.
It was fun to find a Tahoe connection. John Charles Frémont, the fifth Territorial Governor, and his wife Jessie and daughter Lily rented it as a residence for $90 per month, from 1878 to 1881. The home quickly became the “Governor’s Mansion” in every sense of the word, given Jessie’s guidance and attention-to-detail. The windows were hung with heavy brocade curtains, and thick red carpeting covered the floors. A hand-carved oak fireplace imported from Scotland was installed, and ornate kerosene lamps made of brass and hand-painted glass trimmed with crystal lit the rooms. Loving restored, one could sense the grandeur.

I have a 'thing' for hair wreaths and this one was one of the more elaborate we have seen. WOW.
The first two governors called this log cabin home. In the summer of 1864, workers built this log house as the governor’s home and office. It is the oldest building associated with Arizona Territory still standing on its original location.
Called a “mansion” because it was very upscale and permanent compared to the shanties and tents of the time, it enjoyed a place of prominence in the young community. In the 1920s, thanks to Sharlot Hall, the building was saved and repurposed to hold her collections of historic artifacts.
Today it is furnished based on a letter written by Margaret McCormick and dated April 1, 1866, where she describes “her home.” The Mansion also houses exhibits describing its construction and featuring artifacts found during restoration work in 1981.



Fort Misery is the oldest log building associated with the territory of Arizona. It was originally built two blocks south of the museum on the banks of Granite Creek in 1863-64 by Manuel Yrissari, a trader from New Mexico, to be his home and mercantile. Constructed in haste, its nickname indicates the difficult challenges facing the first residents of this wilderness capital. The crude building served many purposes, including as a store, boarding house, and law office for Judge John Howard. So much history on 11 acres in the middle of Prescott.
When we experienced knowledge intake overload, we left for lunch at Hotel St. Michael. In 1864, Prescott was designated as the inaugural capital of the Arizona Territory. During that era, the town revolved around the notorious "Whiskey Row," where one could encounter dubious characters and legendary figures of the Wild West, such as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday.
Hotel St. Michael has stood as the cornerstone of Prescott’s historic downtown since the late 19th century and is a familiar landmark to locals and tourists alike, an architectural centerpiece proclaiming the history and heritage of its quaint southwestern surroundings. It is also a purveyor of delicious food, preparing us for the rest of our day of exploration.
More history was found at the Western History Center. We were drawn in by these two characters!
It houses a diverse and amazing collection of exhibits covering everything from the Arizona Rangers to the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe.
In the Film History section, I learned of Junior Bonner, starring Steve McQueen and filmed right here in Prescott. This actual phone booth was featured in a pivotal scene with Mr. McQueen.
"Ace Bonner returns to Arizona several years after he abandoned his family, Junior Bonner is a wild young man. Against the typical rodeo championship, family drama erupts." Hmmm.
How about this cactus sun hat? Made from the prickly pear cactus, I am intrigued.
A visit to the Court House Plaza introduced us to the American sculptor, Solon Borglum. He is most noted for his depiction of frontier life, and especially his experience with cowboys and native Americans. This statue is a tribute to the Rough Riders and has been called the finest equestrian statue ever made. Certainly Solon Borglum, to the end of his days, considered it his best work. An interesting sidenote is the fact that Solon is the little brother of Gutzon, the creator of the masterpiece known as Mount Rushmore

Here we also learned more about the tragic loss of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots. The Yarnell Hill Fire was ignited by dry lightning on June 28, 2013. On June 30, it overran and killed 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of firefighters within the Prescott Fire Department. The Yarnell Hill Fire was one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires. Heartbreaking reminders are found throughout town.
Smiling in this photo seems wrong. Especially following the story of the tragedy previously mention. We come to cemeteries to pay our respects and learn more about those who have passed before us. The Arizona Pioneers' Home Cemetery was established in 1911, through donations of land from the Simmons family, and Dr. W. E. Day. It built upon an older private cemetery, the Simmons family section, which was established in 1864.

After 'meeting' Sharlot Hall at her museum, a visit to her gravesite was a must.
Another famous woman here was Mary Katherine Horony Cummings (November 7, 1849 – November 2, 1940), popularly known as Big Nose Kate. Kate was a Hungarian-born American outlaw, gambler, prostitute and longtime companion and common-law wife of Old West gambler and gunfighter Doc Holliday. "Tough, stubborn and fearless", she was educated, but chose to work as a prostitute due to the independence it provided her. She is the only woman with whom Holliday is known to have had a relationship and Prescott was the last town in which she lived.
And what do these two women have in common? Besides the fact that they both lived in Prescott at the same time, both women died here at the Arizona Pioneers' Home. The Arizona Pioneers' Home, also known as the State Hospital for Disabled Miners, is a retirement home established to provide housing for early Arizona pioneers. The home is operated and funded by the state of Arizona.
In the early 20th century, the idea for a retirement home in the Arizona Territory originated with three prominent Arizonans who thought that Arizona should provide a rest home for aging settlers who moved to Arizona to help establish the area. To design the building, a female architect was selected: W.S. Elliott of Prescott. The three-story retirement home, built of brick with wooden porticos, was completed at a cost of $25,000, in 1911.
When first built, the rest home could hold 40 men. It was open to destitute men who were at least 60 years old and who had been living in Arizona for 25 years. In 1916, a private endowment provided for expansion with a women's wing added to house 20 women. The building was opened to disabled miners in 1927.
Today, the expanded complex of buildings can hold 155 residents. Its operating expenses are provided mainly by about $5 million each year from the state, and by some residents who pay a portion of their own care. Applicants must have lived in Arizona for 50 years. Residents who died were buried in the previously visited Home's cemetery. It is incredible where history can be found.
Home for the next three nights is at Watson Lake, one of two reservoirs at the Granite Dells, here in Prescott, that was formed in the early 1900s when the Chino Valley Irrigation District built a dam on Granite Creek. The City of Prescott bought the reservoir and surrounding land in 1997 to preserve it as recreational land and we're so glad it did. It's gorgeous here.
Just look at our campsite.
After settling in, we headed to the lakeshore and were thoroughly impressed.


So why Prescott? We're here for a fundraising weekend called The Big Sting: It's a Country Thing. This exciting event combines the best of country music with the thrill of camping in the great outdoors. The festival features top-notch country music acts, delicious food and drinks, and plenty of activities for all ages. With multiple stages and a diverse lineup, there’s something for everyone at the Big Sting Country Music Campout Festival Weekend.
How amazing is this setting?


This first night was a private party just for people who were camping at the festival. It was an acoustic jam session with four fabulous song writers: Kevin Rueb, John King, Whitney Lusk and Matt Farris. The spent the evening telling stories and just entertaining the boots off of us all.
“Words make you think a thought.
Music makes you feel a feeling.
A song makes you feel a thought.”
– E.Y. Harburg

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