July concert features the Blues

Brownsville will be celebrating the blues Saturday, July 20, when two of West Tennessee's most noted bluesmen take the stage at the Delta Heritage Center. Dr. David Evans, known as the "doctor of the Blues," and Elmo Lee Thomas, one of this region's top harmonica players, will perform live on the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home beginning at 7 p.m.  Brownsville's own 17-year-old Kelsey Byars will also perform during the summer music series "Concert on the Porch."

Elmo Lee Thomas and Dr. David Evans

Evans has been performing country blues since 1962, having learned directly from many of the old southern blues musicians. One of those musicians was Brownsville bluesman Hammie Nixon. Evans toured with Nixon for five years. He is currently Professor of Ethnomusicology at the University of Memphis and is a specialist in American folk music, particularly the blues. In 2003, Evans won a Grammy Award for "Best Album Notes." He performs in Europe and South America, and can also be seen performing across the Mid-south with the Last Chance Jug Band.

Joining Evans on the porch will be Elmo Lee Thomas. Thomas is also a member of the Last Chance Jug Band and has been a driving force behind one of the Mid-South's most popular  band, Elmo and the Shades, for over 30 years. He is a Memphis native and attracts both young and old to his performances.

"We're excited to have Dr. David and Elmo back on the porch," says Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark. "Both were here a couple of years ago and it's magical to listen to them sitting on Sleepy's porch and singing some of the same songs that Sleepy would have performed."

Kelsey Byars

Following Evans and Thomas will be Brownsville's own Kelsey Byars. Seventeen year old Byars has a strong bluesy voice that is perfect for renditions of favorite rhythm and blues hits. Byars has performed at the Exit 56 Blues Fest as well as past Concerts on the Porch. She is a true Haywood County talent.

Bleacher seating is available or bring lawn chairs or blankets for the outdoor concert. Drinks and snacks will be on site. You are also welcome to bring a picnic or visit the surrounding restaurants.

Concerts are presented free to the public each month on the third Saturday, through September, at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. For a complete schedule of upcoming concerts, visit www.westtnheritage.com.

Music Highway Band to kick off Concert on the Porch

Headlining this year's first Concert on the Porch will be the Music Highway Band. The rockabilly and country band from Jackson, Tenn., will perform from the front porch of the Sleepy John Estes home on Saturday, June 16. Concerts are held each third Saturday, June through September, beginning at 7 p.m., on the grounds of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

Brownsville continues to keep its musical heritage alive with Concert on the Porch. The summer music series features local and regional artists performing from the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home on the grounds of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. The first concert of the season is Saturday, June 16, at 7 p.m.. Concerts are presented each month on the third Saturday, June through September, and are free to the public.

Kelsey Byars

Starting off this year's series is local talent Kelsey Byars. Byars began singing in church when she was only 3 years-old. She is now known for her singing throughout the community; continuing to sing regularly at church, school, weddings, private gatherings and events. Byars placed second in the 2011 Haywood's Got Talent competition and plays clarinet in the Haywood High School Marching Band. She will perform a variety of rhythm and blues melodies' when she opens for this year's first Concert on the Porch at 7 p.m.

Headlining the June 16 concert is Music Highway Band. This band was organized in Jackson, Tenn., in 2001 by Jimmy Stephenson, a longtime rockabilly and country artist. The original trio played many years at the Rockabilly Hall of Fame as the house band. By 2004, the band had added members,  become well diversified and was capable of performing many styles of music. In mid-2005, the group became the house band at the Huntingdon Hayride, at the Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center.

Today, the Music Highway Band continues to work many venues in the area and has worked with such legendary artists as Carl Mann and Eddie Bond. Current members of the band are Stan Brunner, Sammy Wood, Jimmy Webb, Donald Carp, Gary Spraggins and Jimmy Stephenson. They will share their special style of rockabilly and country June 16 beginning around 7:45 p.m.

Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets for the outdoor concerts, Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. All proceeds from concessions will go toward the restoration of Flagg Grove School, the childhood school of Tina Turner, that was recently moved to the Center.