Jamboree music, community roots remain

FLOYD - While he had only ever driven through Floyd in the past, Tucumcari resident Andy Swapp said he was thoroughly impressed by what he saw Thursday night at the 67th annual Floyd Country Jamboree.

"My kids and wife play in one of the little bands and their sound check and setting up the sound system was very professional, really well done," he said.

Swapp's wife, Sharla, and his daughters performed in a band called Tucumcari Crossroads for the annual country music concert fundraiser held by the Floyd Lions Club.

"I like the style of music, and I love small towns and small town people," Swapp said.

Sharla Swapp said the Jamboree was created by the "greatest generation" with "the entertainment of the era."

"I am so glad that Tucumcari Crossroads and family members could enjoy such an event still today," she said. "The talent was extraordinary, and it was an honor to perform as well. We would like to thank the Floyd Lions club for organizing the event. If you would like a fun family time, put the Floyd Jamboree on your calendar for next year."

Of course, the Floyd High School gym was also heavily populated by veteran attendees, such as Vonnie McIntosh of Texico, who guessed she has been coming "probably about 35 years, maybe 40."

"We just love it. I love the small town atmosphere of it, and I love all the performers, and you get to see a lot of different talent. You don't just see the same thing over and over. It's something different all the time," she said.

She noted that she has attended jamborees all over the country, and Floyd's event ranks high on her list.

"It's bringing the community together, families together. It's just a good, warm feeling you don't see very often nowadays," said Leonard Martinez of Portales.

Lions Club member Fred Patterson said attendance has been a bit lower the last several years at the Jamboree, but it seems to be picking up again since last year's show.

"It was a little light Thursday night, but it usually is. We had probably 80 people there Thursday, but we had over 100 Friday night and Saturday night, we probably had close to 200," he said, adding that the event raised between $3,000 and $4,000 like it usually does.

This year, the show added a couple of new elements, along with new performers. It offered a dance floor to attendees as well as opportunities for the audience to sing along.

"Saturday night, we had about all that (dance) floor could tolerate with two-step dancing," Patterson said. "We were on a down trend (with attendance), but now we're on an up trend."