Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Sept. 19, 2025 – “American Idol” and “The Voice” finalist Marybeth Byrd performed a free outdoor concert at the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library Thursday night.
On the lawn of the library, community members brought folding chairs and blankets to sit on. To beat the heat, Andy’s Frozen Custard also offered free bowls of ice cream.
Byrd performed covers of classic hits such as “Angel from Montgomery” by John Prine and “Neon Moon” by Brooks & Dunn, while also showcasing newer songs like “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan and “End of Beginning” by Djo.
“Bringing Marybeth Byrd to Jonesboro has been such a rewarding experience from start to finish. From the very first conversation, Marybeth and her team have been nothing but professional, thoughtful and genuinely kind,” said Rylie Yawson, marketing and public relations manager for the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library. “It is clear how much she values her roots and the people she represents, and her team mirrors that same sense of care and community.”
Donna Woods, a community member, came to the concert from Bay with her brother and husband. Woods said the Library Concert Series is a family affair, and she and her family have been attending library events for over two decades.
“It brings the community together, and it’s good, family fun,” Woods said. “My family used to drive in from Batesville to go to library concerts here. We’ve been coming to as many as we can since the ‘90s.”
The concert series is part of the library’s “Your Library, Your Story” campaign, a community-driven initiative designed to showcase the impact of the library on the community through personal testimonies and stories.
“The library is proudly hosting Marybeth Byrd, a beloved Arkansas native who holds a special place in the Jonesboro community,” Yawson said. “Her performance is drawing our community together and perfectly reflects the spirit of the ‘Your Library, Your Story’ campaign. Marybeth values her community and continuously gives back, just as the library does.”
Originally from Armorel, Byrd is a singer-songwriter who made it to the semifinals of the singing competition series “The Voice,” where she was coached by Grammy award-winning singer, rapper and songwriter, John Legend, in 2019. She also made it to the Top 10 of “American Idol” in 2023.
Details of the last concert of the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library concert series are to be announced, but the library has programs every week, including clubs and art classes.
To learn more about current events at the library, click here or follow the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library on social media.
