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.

July concert features the Blues

Brownsville will be celebrating the blues Saturday, July 19, when  one of West Tennessee's most noted music historians and bluesman takes the stage at the Delta Heritage Center. Dr. David Evans, known as the "doctor of the Blues," will perform live on the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home. 

Joining Evans will be Zeke Johnson and Brownsville's own Alina Woods during the summer music series "Concert on the Porch" beginning at 7 p.m.

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.

"We're excited to have Dr. Evans back on the porch," says Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark. "It's magical to listen to him sitting on Sleepy's porch and singing some of the same songs that Sleepy would have performed."

Zeke Johnson began his musical career in 1963. Soon after, he was fortunate to meet the legendary Furry Lewis. With Lewis, Fred McDowell and Booker White as mentors, Johnson began to develop his musical skills and style. Fifty years later, he still performs around West Tennessee and has performed at the Gaslight in New York. His original Guild D-40 guitar has been played by a variety of music greats including Sleepy John Estes and Jessie Mae Hemphill and Johnson still performs using that same guitar.

Joining the bluesmen is 17-year-old Alina Woods. Woods began singing in the fifth grade and most recently placed in the top three in the local Haywood's Got Talent competition. She has won awards for song leading and dance. She describes her music style as a cross between pop and country with Blues undertones. Woods has performed many times on the Porch, including Exit 56 Blues Fest and Tina Turner Heritage Days.

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.

Newly-Formed Blues Society presents first concert July 12

A group of  West Tennessee blues enthusiasts are making an effort to preserve the "West Tennessee Blues" with the recently formed West Tennessee Blues Society (WTBS). The group will present its first concert, July 12, at Twin Oaks Estate in Humboldt. The outdoor event, which begins at 7:30 p.m.,  will include a core group of member musicians performing as the West Tennessee Blues Jam Band followed by headliner Little Boys Blue.

"There are Blues societies in Memphis and Nashville," says WTBS president Elam McKnight, of Trenton, "but in between is a bit overlooked. We hope to bring awareness of the rich historical significance of blues in this area, as well as promote the bands and performers who are keeping the heritage alive."

The new group says this is an opportunity to pull together like-minded people from across the region and form a closer-knit community of supporters who love the music and want to help preserve its history. McKnight also stated that as the society grows, it plans to incorporate music history programs in the schools.

The society plans to reach out to each county, looking for meet and greet locations to host a jam session and other ways to help promote the Blues in that community. "We'll also be partnering with local folks to present concerts on occasion, such as what we'll be doing at Twin Oaks in Humboldt."

Well-known Jackson group, Little Boys Blue, will perform during this inaugural concert. The band just released a new CD that includes nine original songs. The event will also serve as a release party for the group in the Humboldt area. The band members are Jimmy D. Taylor (lead vocals and harmonica), Steve Patterson (lead and slide guitar), Dave Mallard (bass guitar), Alex Taylor (rhythm and lead guitar), Dave Thomas (keyboards) and Mark Brooks (drums).

Twin Oaks is an antebellum home built circa 1853 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's name comes from the 300+ year old White Oak trees on the property. Located at 2227 East Main Street in Humboldt, the large trees will serve as shade for the evening concert. Ticket cost is $10 per person. Concessions will be on site provided by Silla's Spoon Cafe. Concert goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

For more information about the concert or the WTBS, contact McKnight at 731-487-8623. Tickets are available at Silla's Spoon Cafe in Humboldt, Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville or any WTBS member.

Bell receives Emerging Leader Award

Pictured with Bell (center) is Evelyn C. Robertson Jr., of Hardeman County and a member of the WestStar class of 1997, and Carolyn Flagg, a resident of Haywood County, conference committee member and member of the WestStar class of 2008.

The African-American Leadership Conference, held April 22, 2014 in Jackson, presented its Emerging Leader Award to Gem Bell, a supervisor for the Tekor Apex Tennessee Company, Brownsville, and a 2013 WestStar graduate. 

Bell currently serves as chairman of the Boys and Girls Club of Brownsville. He also serves on the board of directors for the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, Haywood County Leadership, the library, the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson, First State Bank and Southwest Workforce Investment Act. Bell was also the recipient of the Jonathan Fain Award, which was given by Haywood Company for having the ability to cut costs in certain areas. 

The award criteria notes that the nominee has made a positive impact in his city/county during the past year, has a strong record of leadership during the past five years in West Tennessee, has been an active participant in the African-American leadership conferences and embraces the importance of and provides effective leadership to the concept and practice of regionalism in West Tennessee.

Little Boys Blue releases newest CD "Bad Love"

Little Boys Blue will release their newest CD "Bad Love" at a special Release Party Saturday, June 28, at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. Members of the band include (from left) Alex Taylor, Jimmy Taylor, Mark Brooks. Steve Patterson, Dave Thomas and Dave Mallard.

The Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, Tenn., will host a special CD Release Party in honor of West Tennessee Blues band Little Boys Blue and their latest CD entitled "Bad Love" Saturday, June 28, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Brownsville native Jimmy D. Taylor is the lead vocal and harmonica player for the band. The CD was recorded in Jackson at Jaxon Records.

The community is invited to attend, meet the members of the band and hear them perform an acoustic set of featured songs on the CD, including nine original songs. Band members include Taylor,  his son, Alex (rhythm and lead guitar), Steve Patterson (lead and slide guitar), Mark Brooks (drums), Dave Mallard (bass guitar) and Dave Thomas (keyboards).

Little Boys Blue was formed in 1993 by Taylor and Patterson. They have two previous CD releases on the SleepyVille Blues label. The group has entrenched themselves in a mixture of eclectic, acoustic country blues and Americana roots music; citing influences from Sleepy John Estes and R.L. Burnside to Muddy Waters and The Allman Brothers.

Little Boys Blue has toured the country over the years playing major blues festivals like King Biscuit in Helena, Ark., and  Sunflower Blues Festival in Clarksdale, Miss. Most recently they headlined the Exit 56 Blues Fest in Brownsville.

CDs will be available for purchase and signing.

Hatchie BirdFest scheduled for May 30 - June 1

Nature enthusiasts are invited to learn more about the more than 200 species of birds that occur in West Tennessee during the second annual Hatchie BirdFest Friday, May 30 - Sunday, June 1, in Brownsville Tenn.  The free event will offer a variety of activities for all ages including hikes, educational seminars and bird related booths.

Dr. David Pitts

The BirdFest opens Friday evening at the Ann Marks Performing Arts Center, Brownsville, when Dr. David Pitts will present a program on "The Hummingbirds that Nest in Our Yards." Dr. Pitts, a retired Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Martin, is a noted expert on the Eastern Bluebird. His research has also concentrated on the Carolina Chickadees, Loggerhead Shrike  and most recently Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Attendees will be allowed to ask questions during a Q&A session after the presentation.

Following Friday evening's presentation, the audience will adjourn to College Hill Center where they will be treated to refreshments and performance by the Dirt Pilgrims, a quirky, acoustic folk band from Jackson, Tenn.

Bird watching hikes on Saturday  and Sunday will be geared for both beginners and experts. Excursions will originate at the Delta Heritage Center  and will visit the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge as well as other areas in Haywood County. Hikes begin at 7 a.m. Those wishing to participate, can pre-register online at www.HatchieBirdFest.com.

Saturday’s speakers will include Scott Somershoe  (State Ornithologist, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency), Tara Dowdy (Park Ranger/Educator and Volunteer Coordinator for the West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Complex) and Dick Preston (Member of the Memphis Chapter and State Director, Tennessee Ornithological Society). Saturday seminars will be held at the Delta Heritage Center and begin at noon. Sunday a special early morning excursion will be led by Wildlife Biologist Bob Ford.

The weekend will also include a photography exhibit and exhibitors representing the Tennessee Ornithological Society, Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Great Outdoors University, Tennessee Watchable Wildlife and more.

For more information about the Hatchie BirdFest and a complete schedule,  visit www.HatchieBirdFest.com or call 731-779-9000.

Who will be the next deep-fried BBQ champion?

Contestants compete to see who can eat the most deep-fried barbecue bites in 10 minutes during the 2013 inaugural competition. 

Do you love barbecue? Have you tried it deep-fried? Registration is now open for those wishing to compete in this year's Deep-Fried BBQ Eating Championship. The competition will take place at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 24, during the Exit 56 Blues Fest held at the  Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

Drew Magruder of Brownsville, Tenn., won the title of champion last year when he was able to eat 60 deep-fried barbecue bites in 10 minutes. Magruder was among four who competed for the title during the inaugural event.

"People are always asking about our deep-fried barbecue," says Sonia Outlaw-Clark, director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. "It's really delicious and if you're a barbecue fan, you can't help but like the deep-fried version."

Contestants must be at least 18 years of age and will have 10 minutes to eat as many deep-fried barbecue bites as possible. Water and sauce will be plentiful to help wash it down. There is a $5 entry fee and the lucky winner will receive a trophy, t-shirt and prize package. Interested parties are asked to pre-register for the competition by May 23. Complete rules and registration can be found at www.exit56blues.com.

Along with great barbecue, festival attendees can spend the afternoon and evening listening to the Blues. Performers such as the Bonafide Blues Band, Eric Hughes, Elam McKnight, Lorina McMinn and the Myxx and headliners Little Boys Blue will delight with their special mix of authentic Blues music.

Car enthusiasts can cruise-in from 1-3 p.m., to compete for recognition such as "Cool Chrome" "Most Likely to Get a Ticket" and 12 other fun titles. There is no entry fee and motorcycles are welcome, too.

Arts and crafts vendors will also be on site throughout the afternoon for those wanting to add a little shopping to the Blues mix. Jewelry, woodwork and paintings are just a few of the items you'll find.

Admission to the festival is free. A complete schedule is available online at www.Exit56Blues.com.