HarvestFest forecast Oct. 27: lots of EmiSunshine, more
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Emily Sunshine Hamilton, lead singer of the multi-genre band EmiSunshine, is being held up by group members, from left, family friend Jonathan Newman (guitar); her uncle, Bobby Hill (drummer); and her father, Randall Hamilton (base). EmiSunshine is scheduled to perform during HarvestFest from 2 to around 3:15 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 27, in the Village Green shopping center parking lot. Look for their outlaw country, Americana and Bluegrass tunes at the Fest. “We’re a little bit of everything,” said Emily, who also plays ukulele, guitar, tenor guitar “and a little bit of mandolin.” - Photo submitted
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Emily Sunshine Hamilton, left, lead singer/performer with EmiSunshine, alongside her songwriting mother, Alicia Hamilton. - Photo submitted
What’s the forecast for annual Shop Farragut-Farragut Business Alliance HarvestFest, a free admission event with lots of food/entertainment and costume contests from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 27? Lots of EmiSunshine.
Emily Sunshine Hamilton, lead singer of the multi-genre performing and award-winning band EmiSunshine, is joined by her father, Randall Hamilton (base); her uncle, Bobby Hill (drummer); and family friend Jonathon Newman (guitar). EmiSunshine is scheduled to perform during HarvestFest from 2 to around 3:15 p.m. in the Village Green shopping center parking lot.
Look for their outlaw country, Americana and Bluegrass tunes at the Fest. “We’re a little bit of everything,” Emily said.
While having been the opening act for Loretta Young at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville during the early years of this 12-year-old band that performs regularly across the nation and Canada — and has performed in France, “We’ve been doing a lot of fun stuff locally recently, just trying to get back to home some,” said Emily, who along with her family live about 35 miles to the southwest in Madisonville.
“I play ukulele, I play guitar, I play tenor guitar and a little bit of mandolin,” she added.
Family influences
As for family influences on her career, Emily has benefitted from the separate talents of her parents.
For example, the vast majority of EmiSunshine songs are the work of Emily and her mother, Alicia Hamilton. “My mom is a writer, so I started writing when I was around 5 years old,” Emily said.
As for Randall’s influence, “My dad is a studio engineer and has been recording and involving me in music since I was about 5 years old as well,” she added.
Going way back, “My great-grandmother (Wanda White) was a singer,” Emily said, with musical backgrounds also involving “my grandmother (Patsy Hamilton) .... and pretty much my entire family.”
“I just continue to blossom and learn all different types of music,” she added.
Having already played once at HarvestFest, “They called me, and I thought it was a beautiful festival, and I thought that we could do some good and play some music for some people and spread some joy,” Emily said. “So to me, they’re good enough for me if they’re doing that.”
One indirect Farragut tie involves Emily’s manager, John Antus, who is a former Town resident.
Other entertainment, more
Other local live entertainment features School of Rock (starting at 4 p.m.) along with “prizes and giveaways and our annual Festival Halloween Costume Contest,” a Shop Farragut/FBA press release stated. “Costume categories include Best Pet, Best Individual Under 16, Best Individual Over 16, Best Family/Group, Best Baby and Judges’ Choice.”
First round of Costume Judging begins at 3:30 p.m. with second round of Costume Judging starting at 5:15 p.m.
“Shop Farragut will assemble vendors from across the Farragut and Knox County business community,” the press release further stated. “The Festival will feature 40-plus retail and promotional booths, including food and beverage vendors.”
Non-perishable food items will be collected for The Shepherd of Hope Food Pantry. Visit www.faithloves.org/shepherd-of-hope-food-pantry for a list of needed items.
Media sponsors are farragutpress and 105.3 WFIV-FM.
For more information, visit shopfarragut.com
