Deerfield's Prickett next in downtown concert series

Musician David Prickett plans to do a little strumming and singing during a downtown concert on Friday.

Prickett, an Alabama native who now lives in Deerfield, Mo., will bring his guitar to the stage to perform a concert at 7 p.m. Friday at the Heritage Park Pavilion near the corner of Wall and Main streets. The concert is part of the Friday night concert series sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division.

During a Wednesday interview with the Tribune, Prickett said he likes to play a variety of musical styles, preferably old rock and roll, country and bluegrass tunes from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.

"I like songs that tell stories, songs that talk about real life and not all that touchy-feely stuff," he said. "I like songs about farming and everyday life that are believable -- things that impact your life everyday."

Prickett, who was born and raised in northern Alabama, said some of his musical influences include Hank Williams, Sr., George Jones, several bluegrass groups, Grand Ole Opry singers, and Bill Haley and the Comets. Other popular artists who Prickett said he listened to frequently while growing up include Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and Credence Clearwater Revival.

Prickett spent a little more than 12 years in the United States Army, including a year serving in Vietnam, and maintained an interest in music throughout his service. In the early 1960s, Prickett played in a number of bands, most of which he formed while serving in the Army. Throughout the 1970s, he primarily played music as a full-time profession except for a nine-month period in which he worked at an oil field in Alaska.

In 1990, after playing solo for some time and having trouble forming a band, Prickett began a 15-year career driving long haul trucks in Alaska and other parts of the northwest U.S.

He and his wife have lived in the area since 2005. Prickett has performed at the Freedom Fest in Gunn Park and the Bushwhacker Days Local Legends Night. He has regularly volunteered his musical talents at several local nursing homes and care facilities, fundraisers for local volunteer fire departments, and local churches.

"I have been blessed to play with some excellent musicians from this area," he said.

Prickett said he enjoys the feeling he gets from performing music he loves in front of an audience.

"Folks around here come from the same background I did as a kid," he said. "Folks come there to listen to your music. That's what I love about this."

Prickett said he met Ralph Carlson, a fellow musician and co-organizer of the concert series, at an area fundraiser last year. Carlson, also a guitarist, said he liked Prickett's musical tastes and style and therefore booked