Old time stringed music feature of August concert

Wildwood Express

Old-time string, bluegrass and country/folk music is the focus of the August "Concert on the Porch" Saturday, August 9, at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. This month features singer/songwriter Ken Mallard followed by Wildwood Express. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

Ken Mallard

Appearing for the first time 'on the porch' is Ken Mallard of Jackson, Tenn. Mallard has been playing, singing and writing songs since his teenage years. He has performed with Nashville-based bands and fronted his own band, Chickasaw. His musical influences range from Rockabilly and country to bluegrass and gospel. He has a passion for sharing his music with shut-ins and performs regularly at area nursing and retirement centers.

Wildwood Express is an area favorite and will be taking the stage at 8 p.m. All members of the Jackson Tennessee Area Plectral Society, they specialize in performing and preserving the old time stringed music including bluegrass gospel, instrumentals and old time country. Their instruments of choice include the banjo, dulcimer, mandolin, upright bass and guitar. The band is made up of Grover Westover, Paul Jackson, Gary Spraggins and Coley and Marilyn Graves.

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

Concerts are presented free to the public once a month through September.

Concert series kicks off with Music Highway Band, Wildwood Express

The "Sleepy" John Estes porch will be rocking Saturday, June 15, when two of West Tennessee's favorite bands take the stage for this season's first Concert on the Porch. Rockabilly's Music Highway Band will open the season when they take the stage at 7 p.m., followed by Wildwood Express. Concerts are presented free to the public each month on the third Saturday, June through September, at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

"Both of these groups are energetic and like to get the audience involved," says Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark, "so we know the kick-off of our summer series will be full of fun."

Music Highway Band

Music Highway Band was organized in Jackson, Tenn., in 2001, and has worked with such legendary artists as Carl Mann and Eddie Bond. You may remember the original trio who played many years at the Rockabilly Hall of Fame as the house band. Over the years, members were added and this diversity has led to developing their own special blend of  Rockabilly and country. Band members include Stan Brunner, Sammy Wood, Jimmy Webb, Donald Carp, Gary Spraggins and Jimmy Stephenson.

Wildwood Express

Wildwood Express will take the stage around 8 p.m., and perform old time stringed music including bluegrass gospel, instrumentals and old time country. Their instruments of choice include the banjo, dulcimer, mandolin, upright bass and guitar. The band is made up of Grover Westover, Paul Jackson, Gary Spraggins and Coley and Marilyn Graves. All are members of the Jackson Tennessee Area Plectral Society whose main purpose is the preservation of old time stringed music.

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

Cotton Junction partners to be recognized at "Concert on the Porch"

Wildwood Express performing on the Porch.

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center will recognize Haywood County's Cotton Junction Trail partners during "Concert on the Porch" Saturday, September 15. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m., with a mini-launch of the trail followed by this month's concert featuring HCo2, Tyler Goodson and Wildwood Express.

Officials representing Brownsville, Stanton and Haywood County will conduct the ceremony celebrating the launch of the Cotton Junction Trail, a Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways program. The state officially launched the trail in Jackson, Tenn., June 26.

"We want the community to recognize what Haywood County have to offer," says Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark. "Having our own mini-launch gives us an opportunity to introduce the trail to the community and let the partners show off a bit."

Clark says that many of the partners will set-up around the event area and will be sharing information and giveaways. Among the giveaways are Tripp Country Ham and Helen's BBQ.

HCo2

Tyler Goodson

Following the launch ceremony, attendees will enjoy this summer's last "Concert on the Porch." HCo2, a classic rock band featuring Nicci Mayberry, Phil Sanders and Andy Cooper, will be the first to perform. Following HCo2 is Jackson guitarist Tyler Goodson. Goodson will perform traditional and contemporary Blues.

Wildwood Express will round out the evening performing the old time stringed music including bluegrass gospel, instrumentals and old time country. Their instruments of choice include the banjo, dulcimer, mandolin, upright bass and guitar.

The band is made up of Grover Westover, of Brownsville, who does vocals and plays guitar. Paul Jackson is from Bells, Tenn., and does vocals and plays mandolin.  Gary Spraggins is on the upright bass and is from Alamo, Tenn.  Coley and Marilyn Graves are from Bartlett, Tenn.; Coley does vocals, guitar and banjo, while his wife, Marilyn plays the hammered dulcimer. All are members of the Jackson Tennessee Area Plectral Society whose main purpose is the preservation of old time stringed music.

Everyone is invited to this free event. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket and enjoy an evening of music while learning about Haywood County's points of interest on the Cotton Junction Trail.

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is a tourist information center and home to three regional museums depicting the history and culture of the West Tennessee people. Inside visitors will enjoy an authentic Southern experience while browsing the Cotton, Hatchie River and Music museums. To learn more, visit www.westtnheritage.com or call 731-779-9000.

Favorite Pictures from August Concert

Here are some of our favorite shots from the August Concert on the Porch.

Emma Webb

Emma

Emma 

Grover Westover

Paul Jackson

Sleepy John's house ... in the spotlight.

Wildwood Express: (from left) Grover Westover,  Paul Jackson, Gary Spraggins and Marilyn and Coley Graves

Wildwood Express

Wildwood Express

Photos by Vickie Cooper.

Bluegrass featured at August “Concert on the Porch”

 

Join the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, Tenn., for the fourth in its 'Concert on the Porch' series Saturday, August 20, beginning at 7 p.m. This month's concert will feature Wildwood Express, a group of five area musicians who perform the old time stringed music of yesterday. Also appearing with Wildwood Express will be 11-year-old Emma Webb of Memphis.

The concert will open with Webb. Webb is part of the Generation Next series of the Memphis & Shelby County Music Commission and she is also the youngest member of the Memphis Songwriters Association. Webb has been performing in the Memphis area since she was 8. Her performances include music from the 80s to current pop songs plus some originals.

Wildwood Express performs the old time stringed music including bluegrass gospel, instrumentals and old time country. Their instruments of choice include the banjo, dulcimer, mandolin, upright bass and guitar.

The band is made up of Grover Westover, of Brownsville, who does vocals and plays guitar. Paul Jackson is from Bells, Tenn., and does vocals and plays mandolin.  Gary Spraggins is on the upright bass and is from Alamo, Tenn.  Coley and Marilyn Graves are from Bartlett, Tenn.; Coley does vocals, guitar and banjo, while his wife, Marilyn plays the hammered dulcimer. All are members of the Jackson Tennessee Area Plectral Society whose main purpose is the preservation of old time stringed music.

Everyone is invited to this free event. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket and enjoy an evening of old-time music. For more information, call the Center at 731-779-9000 or visit online at www.westtnheritage.com.