Nov. 7 Fly-in Musicfest looks to combine two passions

By Patsy Miller

Special to the Burleson-Crowley-Cleburne UpClose

In these challenging economic times, the Fly-In Musicfest on Saturday, November 7, is the ultimate two-for-one bargain. And the sponsor? The Flying Musicians Association, naturally.

If you have a passion for music and/or aviation, head for the Fort Worth Spinks Airport (6 miles south of I-20, east of I-35, next to Burleson) where you can watch, photograph, climb in and ride a variety of aircraft on display. The John L. Terry Heritage Foundation will have the World War II-era B-25 Mitchell bomber, Pacific Prowler, and the C47 Dakota (the DC-3 in the civilian world), Southern Cross on the ramp for tours and flights. There will also be other aircraft on display.

The local Experimental Aviation Association chapters will be giving free rides to youngsters 8 to 17 years of age as part of its Young Eagles program.

Interested in an aviation career? There will be information available provided by Judy Tarver of Fltops.com.

Special guests include Ravi the Aviator (a flying musician, of course.) who will talk on "Making General Aviation Sexy." He is a frequent speaker at aviation events and a regular contributor to Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) Flight Training magazine. The singer/guitarist/songwriter may be coaxed into playing a song or two. His appearance, scheduled for 10 a.m. and noon, is made possible by Sennheiser Aviation Headsets.

Florida-based author Capt. Denis G. Murphy will be signing his book, "PAN, PAN, PAN: A Survival Story."

If you are more musically minded, there is plenty for you to hear. Musicians from around the country – professionals to talented school kids – will appear on two stages with non-stop entertainment.

The Flute Guy Bradley Leighton, also a flying musician, will bring his love of Big Band and Rhythm and Blues at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The Musicfest’s featured act is Grammy-winning Brave Combo performing at 5 p.m. The Denton-based quintet has a hard-to-classify musical style, but is considered one of merica’s premiere dance bands.

The Fort Worth Songwriters Association will have two jamming tents and visitors are invitedto bring their instruments and voices and join in. Another tent to participate in will feature the Drum and Native American Flute Circles.

The day begins at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Fort Worth Chapter of The Ninety-Nines Organization of Women Pilots followed by a Federal Aviation Administration Wings seminar at 9 a.m.

The Fly-In Musicfest ends at 6:30 p.m. with fireworks. Admission is free, but there is a $10 parking fee per car. No alcohol or pets allowed. Food and a children’s play area will be available.

Why a flying musician organization? A love for music and flying are often found in the same person, said John Zapp, one of the founders of the Flying Musicians Association, Inc. He frequently finds another pilot or two in jam sessions he attends around the Metroplex. At aviation events, participants end the evening sitting around playing instruments.

"Many of the same skills – scanning, multi-tasking, for example – are attributes of being a pilot and musician," explained Zapp. "John Travolta, the late John Denver and Roy Clark are just a few who combined musicianship with a love of flying."

After several years of discussing a flying musician organization, Zapp and Aileen Hummel finally made it happen this year with the goal of "pilot musicians sharing their passion while encouraging and educating youth in the science and art of aeronautics and music." More information about the organization can be found at http:// FlyingMusicians.org.

The Fly-In Musicfest is the organization’s first event and it seemed natural to partner with the Alexei Sultanov Foundation. Sultanov was a Van Cliburn International Piano Competition gold medalist who called Fort Worth home. After several strokes, Sultanov was confined to a wheelchair and paralyzed on his left side. He continued to perform with his right hand at colleges, nursing homes, hospitals, offices and churches. He died in 2005 at age 35.

The foundation seeks to provide financial, emotional and psychological support to musicians and other performing artists who are no longer able to perform and make a living due to severe illness or injury.

"We are excited to have the Alexei Sultanov Foundation on board and look forward to being able to raise extra funds to help them achieve their goal," said Zapp.

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