Cleburne area , is originally from Mississippi and has been playing guitar since he was 15 . After playing the Cleburne Farmers Market for six years , he wanted to continue to play when he moved closer to his daughter in Athens and he reached out to ATXFM Director DJ Warren .
He met Warren for the first time when he came to set up his equipment . He calls himself a ravin ’ DJ fan and says he ’ s “ never seen anyone with such vision , imagination , passion , and drive for something like she has for the market .”
Although The Sideman enjoys playing the music he loves , he enjoys the atmosphere that the market brings , which he describes as being similar to a county fair midway in Mississippi .
Being a musician could be described as a calling for Cannon as the fingerprints of God can be seen through his musical life and he believes God ’ s hand has been in it all the way .
“ The opportunity to play the music I love for the enjoyment of others has become a source of joy and great blessings and I consider it a gift from God ,” he says .
Since May 2019 , The Sideman has created the backdrop of sound for the Athens TX Farmers Market and without his soundscape the market would not be the same .
To contact Bart “ The Sideman ” Cannon and have him serenade your event with his guitar , email him at sideman71 @ gmail . com or better yet come hear him for yourself on Saturday mornings now through October at the ATXFM on the Trinity Valley Community College campus .
8 | Greater Athens Magazine | August 2022