Events on the TN Music Highway This Weekend

The weather was great and so were the events along the Tennessee Music Highway this weekend. It was wonderful to visit the new Tina Turner Museum at the Flagg Grove School near Brownsville  in Haywood County for the grand opening on Friday!! The one-room schoolhouse had been moved from its' original location near Nutbush approximately three years ago to its present location at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, just off of Interstate 40 at Exit 56. Anna Mae Bullock (aka Tina Turner) attended the school while living in Haywood County as a youth. The Queen of Rock's memorabilia is on display, including costumes, platinum records and even an authentic chalkboard, desks and other furnishings preserved with the structure. The museum is well-planned, functional and very entertaining. It is well worth a stop over as you're heading along I-40 (aka the Tennessee Music Highway). It is on the adjoining site of the home of Sleepy John Estes. While you're in the area take a few minutes to drive to Nutbush (you may even want to sing a few notes  of Nutbush City Limits)!! 

If you missed this weekends festival in Haywood County, you can stop by seven days a week to view the museum and remember it is free admission. Also  performing at the festival was W.S. Holland (long-time drummer for Johnny Cash & Carl Perkins)! Go to www.WestTNHeritage.com or visit our website TnMusicHighway.com for more information.

A few miles southwest of the Tina Turner Heritage Days festival was the annual Chester County Bar-B-Q festival. Chester County is located along the Rockabilly Highway that runs off of I-40. It claims  home rights to Eddie Arnold and The Kings of Leon and delicious Bar-B-Q!! I have attended the festival for many years and it is always a favorite fall festival, complete with up-and-coming entertainers, great food and fun, sponsored by the Chester County Chamber of Commerce.

Some of the  other events included the John Denver Tribute at the Ned and Reverend Jesse and The Holy Smokes at the AMP  in downtown Jackson, this weekend!  

Don't forget to get your tickets for the the Wilson Phillips performance  for The Jackson Symphony's Annual Benefit Concert coming up on October 2nd  at The Carl Perkins Civic Center in downtown Jackson.

As always enjoy  the rest of your weekend, drive safely and enjoy the great music along the Tennessee Music Highway!

Fourth of July Weekend along the Tennessee Music Highway, 2014

Today marks the anniversary of the birth of rock and roll!  On  July 5, 1954, Elvis Presley strolled into the Sun Studio  in  downtown Memphis, Tennessee to record a song as a present for his mother Gladys. The then 19 year old, Crown Electric truck driver had no idea of the impact that decision would have on the world. That's All Right Mama was recorded and the rest is history. For a complete list of the activities surrounding this anniversary for the year, visit the  Graceland official web page on our web site.  If you haven't had the opportunity to visit Graceland, the Memphis home for many years of the king of rock and roll, it is well worth the time!

Also, in Memphis today and on a much sadder note, music fans said good bye to Memphis guitarist and song writer, Mahon "Teenie" Hodges. His career spanned some 50 years and he was a Memphis legend appreciated around the world. The 68 year old died from complications from emphysema at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, last week.  Mr. Hodges  co-wrote many  R&B hits such as "Take me to the River" and "Love and Happiness." He was also a major part of  the Hi Rhythm band under the direction of the famed Willie Mitchell. He put his heart into his music, beginning his bass guitar career at the tender age of 12, in his father's (Leroy, Sr.) band, the Germantown Blue Dots. Services were held at the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, on Poplar Pike in Germantown near the area where he grew up.  Our prayers are with his eight children and his other family members and friends.

There was plenty of music along the Tennessee Music Highway  with the fireworks this weekend!  I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday! Thanks to those of you who filled us in on the many events in downtown Nashville last night. Thousands turned out in the music city to enjoy the festivities! Kid Rock was spotted at Tootsies enjoying the holiday, along with the many music fans.

Until later, enjoy your music and the rest of your weekend, which by the way was blessed with fabulous weather!

Music on the TN Music Highway this Weekend

The rain has moved across West Tennessee, but there are still music events you can enjoy!  Unfortunately, the Kimberlee Helton Band will not be performing at the Amp in downtown Jackson tonight, as had been previously scheduled. This is postponed due to the inclement weather.


Just around the corner from the Amp at the Market in downtown Jackson is the Rock-A-Billy hall of Fame. Put on your blue suede shoes and enjoy a ballroom dance with live music. The event is scheduled to begin at 7 pm @ 105 N. Church.


You can enjoy the Kool 103 Caravan of Stars, featuring icons like Billy Joe Royal. The 103 Radio Station can be contacted for tomorrow nights concert at the Carl Perkins Civic Center/Jackson.


Also, tonight @ 6:30 pm,  the Bandstand Review is scheduled to perform at Mulligans (Chuck McGill and the band have almost become music legends in Tennessee) Saturday night, Josh Smith is scheduled to perform at Mulligans


If you are in Humboldt check out the Strawberry Festival events that may not be rained out and the live music events that usually take place on Friday nights at the Crown Winery.


As always check with your venue for times and cover cost and any changes in the schedule. Enjoy and drive safely this weekend.


 

Royals visit The Tennessee Music Highway

What an exciting weekend on The Tennessee Music Highway! According  to published reports,   Prince William and Prince Harry visited Graceland, the long- time home of the King of Rock-n-Roll, Elvis on Friday. The two Royals, were in Memphis for the wedding on Saturday, of long-time friend Guy Pelly and Elizabeth Wilson (Memphis native and Holiday Inn heiress) They were joined by cousins, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.  The wedding which took place at the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club included wedding reception entertainment by the Jimmy Church Band.  A great Tennessee music group,  I have had the pleasure to enjoy . And if you haven't visited Graceland, plan a daytrip, it is ALWAYS fun.  For more on Graceland visit the official website via our web menu.


Of course, many of you enjoyed the annual Beale Street Music Fest, Memphis in May, 2014! What a fantastic lineup, as always. Three great days of great music, just winding down tonight!  I have always enjoyed the trip to the Fest over the years! The weather was especially accommodating for all of the outdoor music events this weekend.


And, heading on down the Highway to Jackson, Tennessee, (the home of Mr. Blue Suede Shoes, Carl Perkins for so many years), we were especially happy to see the Amphitheater at the Farmers Market debut on Friday night! Reports estimate the crowd at nearly 1,000 fans who came out to enjoy the music of Ash Bowers! Ash, the former lead singer of Forty5South, put on a great show (as always). We have followed his music over the years and he is a talented artist and song writer, not to mention a wonderful family man! Take note, the Kimberlie Helton Band will perform at the Amp this Friday, May 9th around 7:30 pm!  We have also watched Kimberlie progress over the years and her talent is amazing.


And, not to be forgotten on down the Highway, this weekend, in Nashville, it sounds like many of you enjoyed the Lana Del Rey performance at The Ryman! She is such a talented artist and songwriter! Be sure to check out the lineup for The Ryman this year.  There is not a bad seat in the house and the acoustics are wonderful.  You can feel the wonderful history of this great building as soon as you take your seat!


Thanks to all of you for your imput and information! We are making progress on your requests for print copies and visuals, as we continue to provide information on The Tennessee Music Highway.

2014 Music Notes

2014 promises to be a great year for music in Tennessee.  I  will  be visiting the festivals and events around the area. I would love to hear from anyone that may have an area of interest.