Southern Gospel “Concert on the Porch” July 16

David Smith

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center’s summer concert series continues with a Southern Gospel concert Saturday evening, July 16. The free concert will begin at 7 p.m., and features Brownsville’s own David Smith and His Voice of Ripley, Tenn.

Known locally as the Singing Firefighter, Smith loves to sing the old southern gospel favorites like “How Great Thou Art” and “In the Garden,” mixed with more modern tunes such as “What Kinda Car.”

 “His Voice” is a Southern Gospel Trio that includes Larry Kelly of Ripley, Candace Maness of Nutbush, and Mitch Platz of Brownsville. The group has been performing together since 2010.

This event is one the entire family will enjoy and is presented from the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home. There will be some bleacher seating and attendees are also encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets. Popcorn, hot dogs, chips and drinks will be available.

His Voice Trio

For more information about the concert, contact Outlaw-Clark at 731-779-9000. The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is located at I-40 and Exit 56, behind McDonald’s, and features three museums. Visit the Center’s website at www.westtnheritage.com.

June “Concert on the Porch” to feature Hannah Company, Jupiter Stone

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, Tenn., will present the second in its summer concert series "Concert on the Porch" Saturday, June 25, at 7 p.m.. The free concert will feature two bands with Brownsville ties, Hannah Company and Jupiter Stone.

Hannah Company

Hannah Company made its musical debut at this year’s Cinco de Mayo Heritage Celebration. Members of the group include Hannah Baynes, Andrew Cooper and Amy and Joe Mallette. Since May, the rock group has enjoyed playing at private parties and other local events.

Jupiter Stone

The members of Jupiter Stone consider themselves “students of music.” Each member brings a different musical style to the group and they mesh to form a modern appeal, bridging generations with their rock and rhythm and blues mix. The band spends its weekends playing in and around Jackson and Memphis and has released a CD, simply titled “Jupiter Stone.” Band members are Josh and Steven Stewart of Brownsville, David Aplin and Kenny Napper.

Concert on the Porch is a family-friendly event and both groups promise something for all ages. You are invited to bring your lawn chairs and enjoy this free evening concert. Grilled hot dogs, drinks and popcorn will be available. You may also pack a picnic or visit one of the nearby restaurants.

Concert on the Porch is a free summer concert series featuring guest artists performing from the porch of Blues legend Sleepy John Estes, located on the grounds of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. The Center is located behind McDonald’s off of Hwy. 76 South and Interstate 40 at Exit 56. For a complete list of summer concerts and more information, visit www.westtnheritage.com, or call 731-779-9000.

We're a Poker Run Stop!

The Tennessee State HOG Rally is being held in Jackson, Tenn., this week and we're fortunate enough to be one of their Poker Run Stops. The fun began today and will last through Saturday. Already we are meeting some great folks and having fun (and we don't even own a bike). These Harley owners are a great bunch. Good luck guys and thanks for making us part of your stay in West Tennessee. Come back real soon!

These are our first 3 riders to stop! Fun!

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.

Exit 56 Blues Fest Schedule of Events Saturday, May 28

Get ready for the first Exit 56 Blues Fest Saturday, May 28, 2011 at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, in Brownsville, Tenn. The day will be filled with arts and crafts, a special quilt exhibit, car and motorcycle cruise-in, special cookbook signing and live music from the porch of Blues pioneer Sleepy John Estes' last home.

• ALL DAY
• Heritage Quilts of West Tennessee
•  A special display of heirloom and modern quilts lovingly made in West Tennessee. On display inside the Delta Heritage Center. Exhibit is free.
• Car & Motorcycle Cruise-In
• A day of fun, music, and vehicles. Bring your car, truck, or motorcycle to join in the fun of showing off your ride. Register for door prizes and bring your blanket or lawn chair and stay and stay for the evening concerts.
• 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Arts and Crafts Show
• Over 15 vendors will  be showcasing their handmade wares: Items will include handmade hairbows, aprons, jewelry, quilts, handbags, totes, and much more.
• 10 a.m.: Cookbook signing
• Pamela Whinnery, author of Country Goodness Recipes of Tennessee Celebrities" will be on hand to sign copies of her latest cookbook.
• 4:30 - 9 p.m.: Live Blues Music
• 4:30 - 5 p.m.: Clifton Smith
• 5-6:30 p.m.: Tucson Simpson's Graham Perry and Kevin Kilgore
• 6:30 - 7 p.m.: Ronnie Thonpson
• 7-9 p.m; Blind Red Rooster.

Tucson Simpson members to perform at Exit 56 Blues Fest

Here's a little background on Tucson Simpson. Two of its members, Graham Perry and Kevin Kilgore will be performing at this year's Exit 56 Blues Fest Saturday, May 28, 2011, in Brownsville, Tenn. Their performance begins at 5 p.m.

Kevin Kilgore

Graham Perry

Tucson Simpson is a roots rock combo based out of Memphis Tennessee.   Featuring Graham Perry (vocals, guitar), Kevin Kilgore (backing vocals, guitar), Steve McCraw (backing vocal, lead guitar), and Steve Hearn (Bass), and backed by drummers including Memphis favorites Anthony Barrasso, Bill Frazier and Harry Peel, the band’s style is an eclectic mix of Delta Blues, Commercial Pop and Roots Rock. The band has enjoyed success on the Midsouth’s club circuit and Memphis in May Bar-B-Que Festival network as a headline act.

Drawing from experience acquired as a songwriter for Crutchfield Music, Perry (a PhD Candidate at The University of Memphis) joined forces with Kilgore, Hearn and Frazier in 1999 with now deceased guitarist Sam Plumlee to release two CDs, Drawn & Ready (EP) and Hot Town (LP), the latter of which was the #14 add the week of its release on the CMJ Charts in 2003.  Soon after the death of Plumlee during the recording of Hot Town, McCraw joined the band, taking the band’s sound to new heights.

While, Hot Town is a well-rounded collection of powerful electric and acoustic guitars, soulful melodies, and catchy hooks that portray the varying life-experiences of the musicians, their latest release, Rainshine, in 2010 has been a watershed for the band-members, having taken seven difficult years to complete.  This latest release has received airplay at more than 150 stations college and community radio stations nationwide, charting in St. Louis, MO, Machias, ME, Peoria, IL, Pittston, PA, Farmville, VA, Brookville, NY, Waukesha, WI, Newton, MA, Moscow, ID, and San Marcos, CA.

Tennessee Preservation Trust Conference

Brownsville attendees pictured in front of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center exhibit booth. Pictured are Vice Mayor Carolyn Flagg, Brownsville City Planner Sharon Hayes, WTDHC Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Amy Moss Carpenter and Marietta Haywood. Not pictured is Susan Sills.

We were so happy to help sponsor this year's Tennessee Preservation Trust Conference held April 14 & 15 in Collierville, Tenn. Collierville is a beautiful town and a great venue for this conference. The weather turned out perfect and we really enjoyed meeting everyone and making new friends. Susan Sills, of Brownsville, was in charge of organizing the conference and did an excellent job.