Interstate 69, a local band started by Sports Information Director Paul Smith, performed several songs at the University of Arkansas-Monticello’s last home game tailgating party Nov 11.

   Smith sang lead and played the bass guitar, Micah Wyers played rhythm guitar, Mark Wyers played lead guitar and Leewood Thomas played the set. Senior Kasey Earl played the set for part of the performance. 

   The band performed for the first time since 2005 at the tailgating event.  The performance also marked the band's last show since Smith will move to Rochester, Mich., to work at Oakland University.

   The band performed songs by several artists including Johnny Cash and ZZ Top during its last show. Micah Wyers said he was happy with the turnout.

   “It was pretty neat a lot of people came through,” Wyers said. 

   Junior Kendrick Wilson listened to the band for about an hour; he cheered the band on, yelled out song requests and group names and even called for an encore at the end of the performance. The band played one more song for the encore. 

   Wilson said he prefers live music.

   “(I) love it, because they took the time and came out here,” Wilson said.   

   The band began performing in 2001 with Mark Wyers, Smith and Timmy Sturgeon playing at a Preacher’s Wife Convention in Pine Bluff. 

   Smith said why he liked to perform.

   "It’s an opportunity to get on stage and act like a fool,” Smith said.