The music was incredible at the 2025 Roots Music Festival in Paola this past weekend. Local sensation Brody Buster gave a rousing concert to the hundreds of fans on hand. This weekend was a little more special for Buster, returning to his home with his latest album, “Redemption,” celebrating two years drug free.
He thanked the crowd for having him and says his two years of being sober has changed his life.
Other acts included Kelly Hunt & the 5, the Nace Brothers and the Bel Airs who all were on the Roots Festival stage for the third time. There was some serious barbeque in the East Central Kansas State Barbecue Championship, Roger Gibbs of Bushwood BBQ won the Best of Miami County. Teams from as far as Louisiana were in town for the event.
Organizer, Jon Smail, says he wants to get the word out early for next year and have even more teams competing. The Roots Festival started about 36 years ago as a potluck dinner in Wallace Park and has grown to one of the premier two day music and bbq festivals in the region.
