New Book "The Women of Haywood" set for August 12 release

The Women of Haywood, Their Lives, Our Legacy, a new book about four professional African American women in Haywood County, Tennessee, is set for release August 12. A celebration and reception will be held from 3 - 5 p.m., at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

Almost 20 years in the making, the collection of four oral history interviews is interspersed with essays from area scholars and reflections from local residents. This is the seventh book by Haywood County native Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson.

The book is based on interviews with Susie Ella Taylor Ashworth, Nola Walker Bond, Mayme Dell Rives Bowles Dotson and Eva James Davis Rawls. Bond Hopson interviewed  these ladies while a doctoral student at Southern Illinois University in the 90s,

“These women used their lives and talents to make us and the world better," says Bond Hopson. "This book simply tries to chronicle how and what made them great. I think their stories will tickle and bless your heart.”

Nola Walker Bond, an activist/teacher/businesswoman, was killed in a traffic accident in 1998 and Eva Rawls, one of the first African American registered nurses in Brownsville, died earlier this year. Mayme Dotson, who taught first-grade at the Douglass Elementary School for 43 years, lives in Nashville and Susie Ashworth, who retired after 58 years as a beautician, lives in Brownsville.

The book’s foreword was written by Brownsville businesswoman Cynthia Rawls Bond and features essays from Dr. Dorothy Granberry, Dr. Norma J. Burgess and Dr. Jo Zanice Bond, all scholars with Haywood County ties. Other contributors include Elma Bond Rogers, Greta V. Sanders, Laura Pruiett Smith, Dorothy Mann Bond, Louvern Tucker, John Ashworth, Dr. Thomas Averyheart and John M. and Barbara Bond. The book is self-published by Touched By Grace Publications and profits will stay in Haywood County to benefit scholarships, women’s empowerment and historic preservation.

During the reception, Bond Hopson will be signing copies and there will also be an opportunity for guests to make videotaped tributes. The book is approximately 160 pages and will be available in paperback ($24.95) and limited edition hardback ($34.95).

David Smith returns to Concert on the Porch

Gospel continues to take center stage at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center's August "Concert on the Porch." Headlining this month's event is David Smith, known throughout the mid-south as the "Singing Firefighter." Concerts are held on the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home and begin at 7 p.m., Saturday, August 18.

David Smith

Frequently introduced as the "singing firefighter," due to his captain's position with the Brownsville Fire Department, Smith loves to sing the old gospel favorites like “How Great Thou Art” and “In the Garden,” mixed with more modern tunes such as “What Kinda Car.”

"I've been singing since I was big enough to stand and hold a song book," says Smith. "I have always loved Southern Gospel music."

His Voice

Joining Smith is “His Voice,” 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.

Daniel Heidelberg

Making their debut appearance is a new group from Mercer, Tenn. Daniel Heidelberg, Britton Bass and Dexter Downs will present their first public performance and promise to bring a unique style and sound to the concert series.

This free event is one the entire family will enjoy. There will be bleacher seating and attendees may also bring their lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available, with proceeds to benefit the Flagg Grove School restoration project.

Gospel Stars take the stage for July “Concert on the Porch”

The Gospel Stars will be returning to the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home July 21, during the summer concert series "Concert on the Porch." The concert begins at 7 p.m. and is a free event at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center’s summer concert series "Concert on the Porch" continues with a night of gospel music Saturday, July 21. The Gospel Stars and Total Praise return to perform from the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home beginning at 7 p.m.

The Gospel Stars feature local musicians who have been performing across the region since the 1990s. Known for their versions of the old gospel favorites, the group features the talents of M.C. Cliff Jr., Mary Maclin, Felicia Walker, Johnny Bond, Robert Bryant, Deborah and James Curtis, and Jerry Miller.

Total Praise

Returning to open for the Gospel Stars is Total Praise, a group of Brownsville women who began their journey as a gospel group about two year ago. This group includes the vocal talents of Hazel Walker, Sheketa Holmes, Tiffany Tolivar, Keisha Walker, Ti-Anna Wiley and Christy Henderson.

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center presents "Concert on the Porch" June through September on the third Saturday evening of each month and features a different artist and genre each month. For more information about the concert series, call 731-779-9000 or visit www.westtnheritage.com. The Center is located off of Interstate 40, Exit 56 behind McDonald's, in Brownsville, Tenn.

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.

Flagg Grove School moves to West TN Delta Heritage Center

It's been an exciting two weeks here at the Center. First with the 2nd Annual Exit 56 Blues Fest last week (pictures posted soon)  and now this week we've moved the Flagg Grove School.

The one-room school was previously located in Nutbush, yes... the real Nutbush that Tina Turner sings about. As a matter of fact, she attended Flagg Grove School. To add to the history of the school, her great uncle, Benjamin Flagg, sold the land to the school's trustees for $25 an acre. I understand the going price at that time (1889) was $75 an acre. The school closed in 1968 and had been used as a barn since that time.

It's a journey that began several months ago and yesterday the school finally made it to our Center and now sits beside the home of Bluesman "Sleepy" John Estes. While the size of the school kind of dwarfs Sleepy John's, we are very proud of this addition to the collection and look forward to highlighting early education in Haywood County and, of course, the fantastic singing career of Tina Turner.

Here's a few photos of the school's journey.

Inside the School

A few desk and benches were still in the school. Notice the stage in the background. You just know Tina had to have sung on that stage at some time during her school days there.

Bracing the building for the move.

Positioning the skids.

Ready to go! Pulling out from the field on Elm Tree Road.

Traveling down Highway 19, aka Tina Turner Highway

Navigating the power lines on Anderson ... almost there.

Welcome! Just a little ways more....

It's here ... sitting beside the Sleepy John Estes home on the grounds of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.

As you can see from the pictures, there is some restoration work to be done. Tax deductible donations to help restore the school can be sent to:

Friends of the Delta Heritage Center

P.O. Box 1358

Brownsville, TN 38012

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/.

May 5-13 is Travel & Tourism Week

Stanton Mayor Allan Sterbinsky, Brownsville Mayor Jo Matherne and County Mayor Franklin Smith sign the proclamation proclaiming May 5-13, 2012, as Travel and Tourism Week in Haywood County.

It's official! Brownsville, Stanton and Haywood County have officially kicked-off National Travel and Tourism Week with an official  proclamation declaring May 5-13 as Travel and Tourism Week in our county. The ceremony was held at the Delta Heritage Center Friday, May 4. 

Community leaders and friends joined the Mayors to celebrate the significance of tourism in our community.

Tourism in Haywood County is a $12.96 Million industry and we are really excited about recognizing this national event and beginning new efforts to promote our community and the region. We are inviting local residents to become tourist in our own hometown and discover (or rediscover) attractions they may be overlooking while going about their day to day activities.

Also on hand for the Proclamation was the Tennessee Department of Tourism's West Tennessee Regional Representative Marty Marbry (left), pictured here with WT Delta Heritage Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark.

Rev. Grover Westover entertained event attendees before the reception and proclamation signing.