Floyd Jamboree gearing up

Zoe Morrison, a Portales High School student, will be singing "I Feel Pretty" from Westside Story for her first performance Thursday at the 63rd Annual Floyd Jamboree.

"I've been watching the Jamboree since I was in second grade and am excited to finally be a part of it," said Morrison.

Morrison is one of two new acts to join the Floyd Jamboree line up.

"Most of our acts are old acts," said Fred Patterson, event chairman, "We have a fairly long performance list so it doesn't give us a lot of room without cutting somebody out."

According to officials, many of the performers are veterans of the Jamboree who have been appearing on and off in the show for years.

Chelsea Hinrichs: Courtesy photo

Mitzi Miller, Gary Modral and Bruce Hinrichs rehearse for the upcoming Floyd Jamboree at the Floyd High School Library.

Linda Miller Brown is the bass player for the Floyd Jamboree Band and has been playing with the band for 44 years, from 1969-1984 and again from 2000-present.

"We've all been a part of it so long that we enjoy it and want to see it continue," said Brown. She said the Jamboree has grown in the number of performers on the roster.

Rebecca Lawson, who has been participating in the show since 1973, as a singer felt that the show got better with age.

"The stage evolved from the little old stuff we had to the much nicer and bigger equipment we now have," said Lawson.

Jamboree veteran Gary Modrall is excited to have new talent in the show this year. Last year there were no new acts.

"They need new talent to keep the show alive," he said.

Lawson said the Floyd Jamboree is a good way for younger people who are interested in a career in music to see how the music industry works.

"It helps kids get into a talent and see if that's really where they want to go or if it's just a dream for a little while or a lifetime," she said.

Amy Carter, a high school junior, first auditioned for the Floyd Jamboree nine years ago and is interested in pursuing a career in singing and acting. "Performance wise, I learned just to have fun with it," said Carter. "The first couple of years I was so nervous going up there but it's gotten me to a place where I'm more comfortable up there."

"Most of the performers are amateurs," said Patterson, "but they're good singers and they put a lot of practice to make it as good as they can."