RISON - The Rison in the Fall Festival is set to welcome 12-time Arkansas Country Music Award winner Erin Enderlin as a special guest next Saturday, Oct. 15. Enderlin, a native of Conway, will perform on the Main Street stage at 7:30 p.m. prior to headliner Julie Roberts at 9 p.m.
But before she hits the stage, she will take part in two activities earlier in the day - a tribute to Cleveland County’s native son, Johnny Cash, at 1 p.m.; and the Rison Paws For A Cause Dog Pageant at 2:30 p.m.
“I love coming home. Getting to see friends and family is always fun.” said Enderlin. “Arkansas is a beautiful state and it always has a way of centering me.”
Enderlin said she can’t remember if she’s ever been through Cleveland County before, but is certain this visit to Rison will be memorable, as she is sharing the stage with her friend and collaborator Julie Roberts for the first time, and honoring one of her songwriting heroes, Johnny Cash.
“I’ve listened to Johnny’s music for as long as I can remember. His records were in my Papaw’s collection and that was a lot of my introduction to music,” she said.
She released a cover of Cash’s “Give My Love To Rose,” her favorite song of his, earlier this year. She will perform this song and a select few other Cash covers in FBT Park as a tribute to the country music icon, which also includes a presentation from Kevin Kresse.with models of his statue of Cash to be placed in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C
The tribute to Cash at Rison in the Fall will be filmed and submitted to Arkansas PBS for a documentary being put together on the making of the statue.
While she first turned heads as a godsend to those aching for an artist with some golden-era country backbone, Enderlin’s acclaimed 2017 record “Whiskeytown Crier” cemented her as something even more: a literary songwriter and superb vocal stylist with a knack for sharply drawn - and often sad -characters.
She was recently featured as a breakthrough artist in the 2020 American Currents exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and she has surged to the forefront of new artists rooted in the genre’s rich history.
Enderlin is also a go-to writer for stars looking for heavyweight country with classic panache - Alan Jackson’s “Monday Morning Church,” Lee Ann Womack’s “Last Call,” Luke Bryan’s “You Don’t Know Jack” and a host of other songs recorded by Randy Travis, Joey + Rory, Reba McEntire, Terri Clark, Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, Rodney Crowell, and more are all Enderlin-penned.
“I’m still building my audience, so a lot of times I’m coming into new markets where folks don’t really know I’m a songwriter, and maybe don’t know a lot about that whole process,” she said. ”I think it’s one of the coolest things how a great song can take on different flavors with different artists and all be so special in their own way. For example, I love hearing Patsy Cline sing “Crazy” but man do I love hearing Willie Nelson - who wrote it - sing it.”
Recently she garnered some high profile fans making Rolling Stone’s Top 20 Country/Americana Albums of the Year in 2019, and in 2020 being featured by Rosanne Cash in her Oxford American Music Issue article and playlist, as well as being interviewed and featured by Elton John on episode #261 “Erin Enderlin” of his Rocket Hour show.
Erin continued to build on her success with the release of Barroom Mirrors EP, frequent performances on the Opry, and being named Arkansas’ Country Music Entertainer and Writer of the Year.
According to festival organizer Douglas Boultinghouse, many stars aligned bringing Enderlin to Rison.
“I’ve loved Erin’s music for years and initially approached her about coming to the festival back in 2019, but a scheduling conflict prevented us from making it work,” he said. “Getting her this year was pure luck on our part, with great help from Julie.”
After having such a wonderful time at Rison in the Fall last year, Boultinghouse said headliner Roberts asked to come back, and pitched the idea of asking Enderlin if she wanted to come along for the fun.
“I can’t wait for the crowd to hear Erin’s signature style of country music,” he said. “There’s a reason so many artists want to record her songs. She’s the real deal, and it’s a real treat for Rison to have her here. You do not want to miss this.”
Boultinghouse said the festival planning over the summer also led to more collaborations between the two artists. Enderlin ended up writing and producing several songs on Roberts new album, “Ain’t In No Hurry,” due out Oct. 28.
“This is the first time we’ve had the chance to play together,” Enderlin said. “I just love Julie, she has such a great energy and she is such a sweetheart. It’s been a few years since I’ve had the chance to see her live, and it will definitely be extra special to see her sing something I wrote.”
Those attending the festival are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs to set up to watch the free concerts. This year’s Main Street Stage will be at the intersection of Main and Third Streets with viewing areas on both streets.
Next week, the Herald will feature more from Julie Roberts. Both artists are expected to appear on the 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 broadcast of the Cleveland County Weekly Review show hosted by the Herald staff on KQEW, 102.3 FM in Fordyce.
A full schedule of entertainment follows:
• 1 p.m. – Johnny Cash Tribute with statue presentation from Kevin Kresse and performance from Erin Enderlin in FBT Park
• 2:30 p.m. – Rison Paws For A Cause Dog Pageant in FBT Park
• 4:30 p.m. – Austin-Hendricks Band on Main Street Stage
• 5:30 p.m. – Cleveland County Community Theater Performances and Award Ceremony on Main Street Stage
• 6:30 p.m. – Vintage performs on Main Street Stage
• 7:30 p.m. – Erin Enderlin performs on Main Street Stage
• 9 p.m. – Julie Roberts performs on Main Street Stage
For the latest information, including street closures, vendor lists and more, be sure to like/follow the official Rison In The Fall Facebook page and Instagram account.