DIAMONDSTONE GEMS: Music fest guests include fans from out of state, baby conceived at last year's event

Sep. 6—Tiny Riggin McConnell is 3 months old, and he has returned to the annual Diamondstone Music Festival, where he was conceived last year.

Riggin's mother, Ky McConnell, had the baby's ears protected Friday by special noise-cancelling headphones, and he seemed at ease at the event, held on Highway 10 at Diamondhead Resort. Cradled against his mother's chest in a carrier, Ky held a portable fan close to his body to keep him cool.

The family is from Cushing and was camping out. They planned to be at Diamondstone for the entire weekend.

"He loves the music," Ky said. "I got pregnant here [last year]; that's how much we love this place. He's a Diamondstone baby."

Ky said she loves everything about the festival — the people, music and the river.

Dylan McConnell, husband and father, proudly showed photos of his son to anyone who talked to the family.

"We wanted to make him a onesie that said, 'I was made here,' but we didn't," Dylan said. "We got him down to the river yesterday and he loved it."

Dylan said he was looking forward to hearing Jacob Tovar and Chris Cagle play. Ky's favorites are Kaitlin Butts and Amber Watson.

The preparty event at the Gravel Bar featured a lineup that included Dave Kay, Scott Leeper & Simpson, Randy Ess Band, Randy Crouch, Rodney Pile & The Drivers, and Dylan Stewert.

Ronnie Pyle was there with his five-piece band. Pyle has been performing since he was 10, and plays guitar and sings. The band plays rock 'n' roll and blues, Pyle said.

"We'll probably play blues tonight, and I don't do red dirt," Pyle said. "I try to just cut my own path."

Jennifer Eye and a friend she met at Diamondstone five years ago, Carrie Peavy, were excited to be back for Peavy's sixth year of attending the festival and Eye's eighth. Peavy is from Farmersville, Texas, and Eye is from Joplin, Missouri.

"We met each other the second year we were here, and we've been friends ever since — like being-invited-to-weddings kind of friends," Eye said.

Jennifer Eye was looking forward to hearing Mike McClure, playing with Chrislyn Rose as Crow and Gazella, and Peavy's favorite musician was John Fullbright.

Tammy Bolin sat with her friend Jackie Johnson during a break between bands. Johnson and her husband, Steve, and their husky, are from North Dakota. They meet up with Bolin and her husband, Jeff, each year at the festival. The Johnsons have a RV but the Bolins are staying in one of the rooms at Diamondhead Resort.

"I like to camp, but we are camping at another festival next weekend — 'Born and Raised,' in Pryor," Tammy said.

The Johnsons are also going to Born and Raised.

Theresa Martin lives just up the road from Diamondhead Resort and is camping out, even though she lives so close.

"It's only smart; I plan on having a few beers so I'm staying right here," Martin said. "It may be $600 to stay, but I get to visit with all my friends."