Brownsville celebrates the Blues Memorial Day weekend

Elmo Lee Thomas has been the driving force behind one of the Mid-South’s most popular bands, Elmo and the Shades, for over 25 years. He is a Memphis native, a high-energy blues shouter and soul singer and one of the region's top harmonica talents. Elmo and The Shades will take the stage at this year's Exit 56 Blues Fest in Brownsville at 8 p.m., Saturday, May 26.

Brownsville, Tenn., will once again celebrate its blues heritage during the Exit 56 Blues Fest Saturday, May 26, at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. Festivities will include an arts and crafts show, art exhibition, cruise-in and live music. The daylong event will run from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.

The Center will open at 9 a.m. with self-guided tours of the museums. "Sonnets to Orpheus," a mixed media art exhibition by Jackson native Lendon Noe will also be on display for attendees to enjoy.

This year's arts and crafts fair will open at 10 a.m., and artisans will showcase their special handcrafted items until 6 p.m. Among the featured items this year are quilts, baby items, jewelry, aprons, paintings, wind chimes and specialty wood items. Delta-themed folk art and specialty clothing will also be available, along with your favorite festival foods, including barbecue and pork rinds.

Blind Red Rooster

Musical entertainment begins with the first performers taking the stage at 1 p.m. Local and regional favorites will perform from the porch of the home of Blues pioneer "Sleepy" John Estes. This year's Haywood's Got Talent winner Hannah Smith will take the stage first, followed by Sleepy's Jug Band All Stars, a group of Brownsville musicians who will pay homage to the old country blues style of music. Union City's Blind Red Rooster will make a return appearance at this year's festival.

Other performers for the evening include a host of accomplished bluesmen such as Brownsville's Jimmy D. Taylor and Jackson's Steve Patterson. Theo D "The Boogieman" and Sean "Bad" Apple from Clarksdale, Miss., will share their special Delta Blues style. Opening for the evening's headliner is Eric Hughes, harmonica player and favorite on the Memphis blues scene. At 8 p.m., some of Memphis' best known and most talented musicians, Elmo and The Shades, will take the stage.

Blueshine Duo
Steve Patterson & Jimmy D. Taylor

Car enthusiasts are invited to cruise-in for the music and compete to take home some unique awards during the Exit 56 Cruise-In from 2-6 p.m. Participants are asked to check in or pre-register online to qualify for awards. Registration is free and includes recognition for "Cool Chrome," "Most Likely to Get a Ticket," "Oldest Ride" and more.

Another special event of the day will be the debut of West Tennessee's newest magazine, Good Ol' Boys. Good Ol' Boys Magazine is a monthly publication for those who enjoy the southern lifestyle of good times, good food, and good friends. The magazine will be given away during the Cruise-In.

Festival admission and concerts are free and everyone is invited to attend and enjoy a day celebrating the Brownsville blues. The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is located off of Interstate 40 at Exit 56, behind McDonald’s. For more information, contact the Center at 731-779-9000 or visit www.westtnheritage.com/exit56/.

Exit 56 Fun!

We had a blast Saturday at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center's first Exit 56 Blues Fest in Brownsville! Over 400 people turned out throughout the day for arts and crafts, good food, and great blues music. If you weren't here, this is what you missed!

Jackson's Ronnie Thompson performing during the Exit 56 Blues Fest.

Blind Red Rooster singing Sleepy John Estes' "Going to Brownsville"

Blind Red Rooster

The crowds gathered in the shady spots to enjoy the blues music.

Haywood's Got Talent winner Clifton Smith really puts some feelings into his music.

Author Pamela Whinnery discussed her Tennessee Celebrity Cookbook with a festivalgoer.

A Cotton Boll Quilt on display in the West Tennessee Cotton Museum. Part of the "Heritage Quilts of West Tennessee" exhibit.

It was a good night to cruise-in for the Blues. Many came from the Memphis and  Jackson area .

The Diverse Five, featuring Clifton Smith.

Joe Adams of A Cut Above won the "Most Unique Item Award" for his wood puzzles.

Graham Perry and Kevin Kilgore, founding members of the group Tucson Simpson, put on a great show.

The quilt exhibit got a lot of attention and drew viewers from all over West Tennessee. It was sponsored by Pat's Fabrics.

A few of the quilts on display at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.

Haywood County Reading Railroad's booth won "Most Creative Booth."

Another view of  Reading Railroad's whole tent.

Blues Fest revived in Brownsville

Blind Red Rooster will perform live at the Exit 56 Blues Fest Saturday, May 28, beginning at 7 p.m. Members of the group from Northwest Tennessee are Smokin' Joe Watts, Rick Casey, Coby Watts and Rob Kingrey.

Brownsville will once again celebrate its blues heritage during the Exit 56 Blues Fest Saturday, May 28, at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. Festivities will include an arts and crafts show, quilt exhibit, book signing, cruise-in and live music. The day long event will run from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Artisans will showcase their wares from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Items for sale will include sunglasses, handmade ribbons and bows, aprons, boutique dresses, flower arrangements, jewelry, handbags, wood products, quilts and more.

Heirloom and more modern quilts will be on display inside the Center as part of the “Heritage Quilts of West Tennessee” special exhibit sponsored by Pat’s Fabrics of Brownsville. Also on exhibit will be the winning art projects of the Haywood County School children for the recent Cinco de Mayo Celebration.

Author Pamela Whinnery will be present from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., to sign copies of her latest cookbook “Country Goodness Recipes of Tennessee Celebrities.” The recipe collection includes recipes from Elvis, Trace Adkins, President Andrew Jackson and more.

Beginning at 5 p.m., local and area artist will perform from the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home, located on the grounds of the Center. Memphis musicians Graham Perry and Kevin Kilgore, members of the group Tucson Simpson will perform at 5 p.m. Brownsville’s own Clifton Smith will take the stage at 6:30; and Union City Blues band Blind Red Rooster will perform at 7 p.m.

Car and motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to cruise-in for any or all of the festivities.

Festival admission and concerts are free and everyone is invited to attend and enjoy a day celebrating the Brownsville blues. The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is located off of Interstate 40 at Exit 56, behind McDonald’s. For more information, contact the Center at 731-779-9000 or visit www.westtnheritage.com.