Back to School rock show to benefit Haywood Schools

Allison Purifoy, a local school teacher and lead vocalist for the rock band Roses Unread, has put together a back to school concert to benefit Haywood County Schools. The "Back to Schoolhouse Rock" show features five bands from the mid-south region performing on the grounds of the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville Saturday, September 13. Showtime begins at 1 p.m. and admission is $5 worth of school supplies. Teachers with school IDs will get in free.

"It is very important that the children in our school system have the necessary supplies to meet their educational needs and have a successful school year," says Purifoy. "I wanted to put this benefit together to do something to help meet some of those needs."

Among the most needed items, according to Purifoy, are pencils and Kleenex tissue. But other traditional items such as paper, pens, crayons, composition books and writing tablets are also needed. School supply lists for each school can be found at www.haywoodschools.com.

Roses Unread

Purifoy is a second grade teacher at Haywood Elementary School. Her Brownsville-based group, Roses Unread, consists of five individuals from varied walks of life who came together to write "good rock 'n roll" music and perform. Branding themselves as "a little bit different," since 2004 they have released two full-length albums and music videos, performed countless shows, garnered global airplay, and boast a worldwide following of fans. Roses Unread will perform at 5 p.m.

"It is great to know that my music can help with such a great cause. As a teacher, it is very important to me that every child has what they need."

Bobby & Becky Stokely

Brownsville's Bobby and Becky Stokely will perform at 4 p.m. The Stokely's enjoy playing their two-person acoustic shows which include everything from country and blues to rock and funk. Becky is a kindergarten teacher at Anderson Early Childhood Development Center in Brownsville and also recognizes the importance of each child having what they need to succeed.

"This show is a natural for Bobby and me to participate in," says Stokely. "It's important because it brings the community together in support of our schools and it's a great way to kick off ‘I (heart) HCS’ week."

William Charles Collective

Other groups to perform include William Charles Collective (WCC). The Memphis-based WCC blends southern rock, folk and bluegrass to produce their own organic sound and will kick-off the event at 1 p.m. 

The Long Patrol

The Long Patrol (2 p.m.) is a pop/rock four-piece band with a considerable jazz and blues influence. The members are all Tipton County residents. 

Shekinah

Shekinah (3 p.m.) is a north Mississippi Christian music group that likes to "rock for Jesus;” a professional group of musicians that want to reach the people of today with upbeat, positive music.

For more information about the show, contact the Delta Heritage Center at 731-779-9000, visit www.westtnheritage.com or email info@westtnheritage.com.

"Looking Back" is coming to Brownsville

During the Civil War, 19-year-old Sarah Madison Taylor wrote in her diary of one of Col. Fielding Hurst's raids on Brownsville. This photograph and her diary are prime examples of items being sought by the Tennessee State Library and Archives during the "Looking Back" event.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) will send a team of professional archivist and conservators to Brownsville, Tenn., September 9-10, in an effort to digitally preserve Civil War era manuscripts, artifacts and photographs held in private hands. Area residents are invited to document these items and other artifacts during the two day event that will be held at the Delta Heritage Center.

Items will be scanned or photographed and returned to the owner within an hour. Participants will receive basic conservation supplies for their items, digital copies of the images and the opportunity to have their Civil War memorabilia preserved, digitized and shared online for future generations. Digital copies of these items, representing the Civil War heritage of Tennessee families, will become part of a virtual exhibit, "Looking Back: The Civil War in Tennessee."

All items will be carefully handled in accordance with archival standards and returned to their owners. Items eligible for digitization include: all items pertaining to the Civil War; letters, photographs, diaries, weapons (swords, knives, etc.), military passes and discharges, hand-drawn maps and sketches and uniforms. Items must be original (no photocopies) and owned by the person bringing them in.

Those wishing to participate must contact TSLA to reserve an appointment time. Call 615-253-3470 or email civilwar.tsla@tn.gov. Reservation request forms are available at the Delta Heritage Center, 121 Sunny Hill Cove, Brownsville.

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.