“Art of Farming” through a photographer’s eye

“Corn Field During Sunset” by photographer Christy Hunter is one of the featured photos during the exhibition “The Art of Farming” March 7 - April 30, at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, Tenn.

 “The Art of Farming,” a look at the rural landscape of West Tennessee as seen through the eyes of photographer Christy Hunter, will open at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, Tenn., March 7. An artist reception will take place at 6 p.m., followed by a short tour and presentation by Hunter.

Photographer Christy Hunter

Hunter has been a photographer for over ten years with much of her work centered on gardens, flowers and outdoor nature scenes.  In 2011, she moved from the St. Louis area to Munford, Tenn., where she discovered new subjects along the back roads and countryside of West Tennessee.

According to Hunter, her world was opened to the beauty of things from the past; old stores, houses, barns, and beautiful farmland. As she explored the countryside capturing these scenes, a collection of images began to form around farm life.

“The past is left for us to discover and learn from,” says Hunter. “As I capture images, I try to think about those stories; the shapes, colors and the beauty that farming brings to our lives.”

The exhibition will look at everything from the shape of the plants, the new and old farm equipment, and the types of buildings that are all part of the farming tradition in West Tennessee.

“The Art of Farming” exhibition will be on display through April 30 and is free and open to the public. For more information about the exhibit, visit www.westtnheritage.com or call 731-779-9000.

Tina Turner contributes to Flagg Grove School project

With restoration underway, the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, Tenn., is excited to announce Tina Turner’s contributions to the Flagg Grove School project.

Turner has been involved with the project since her childhood school was moved in 2012, including a sizable donation towards the restoration by the Queen of Rock herself. This donation is in addition to the recent campaign to match a $75,000 donation by local attorney Pat Mann Jr. and his wife, Ann.

In a recent statement by Turner, she expressed thanks to the community for their participation and involvement in the restoration.

“I would like to personally thank Brownsville Mayor Jo Matherne and Sonia Outlaw-Clark and her team at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center for their endless support,” says Turner “and of course Joe and Pam Stephens, without their donation of the school, this would not have been possible. I also want to recognize all the donations, both public and private, from fans, friends, and associates on this project which is very close to my heart.”

Turner is fully supportive of the project and happy to be able to give back to her community. In addition to a generous monetary donation towards the restoration of the school, she will be providing all the memorabilia, display cases, gold record awards and stage costumes from her long career. Concert videos will also be showing in the school. All of which will become part of the school’s interpretive exhibit.

Music jam celebrates Blues pioneer

This artist rendering of Brownsville's three Bluesmen is featured on a wall mural inside the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, Tenn. "Sleepy" John Estes is depicted on the right.

To many the Blues mean live music on Beale Street or the clubs of Clarksdale, Miss. Not much attention is given to the old bluesmen who pioneered the way for legends such as BB King and Bobby Blue Bland. That will change this Saturday, January 25, when the Delta Heritage Center, in Brownsville, Tenn., will host an Acoustic Blues Jam to celebrate the 115th birthday of Bluesman "Sleepy" John Estes. Musicians and fans are invited to drop by from noon until 5 p.m., for birthday cake, door prizes and an acoustic  jam session.

"We're so excited about this," says Center director Sonia Outlaw-Clark. "What better way to celebrate the birthday of an industry pioneer than with a acoustic Blues jam."

Helping with the event is the newly-formed West Tennessee Blues Society. The society is hoping to spread the word about its grass roots effort to preserve the unique country blues sound of the region and promote those who are performing and carrying on the legacy left by these pioneers.

Estes was born in 1899 and began playing guitar and singing at house parties and picnics around Brownsville. At the age of 19, he was playing professionally and recorded in Memphis for Victor Records. He was often accompanied by two other Brownsville bluesmen, Hammie Nixon (harmonica) and Yank Rachell (mandolin). The three would perform together off and on for more than 50 years.

Estes had a distinctive "crying" vocal style that differentiated him from other bluesmen of the era. Many of his original songs are based on his life experiences and people he knew. The nickname "Sleepy" comes from his tendency to fall asleep at any given time. He died in 1977 while preparing for a European tour.

Jam attendees will also be able to visit his last home, located on the grounds, and experience a bit of what life was like for Estes. For more information about the Blues Jam, call the Center at 731-779-9000 or email info@westtnheritage.com.

Becoming the Volunteer State exhibition opens at Delta Heritage Center December 19

The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, Brownsville, will host the Tennessee State Museum traveling exhibition "Becoming the Volunteer State: Tennessee in the War of 1812" Dec. 19 - Feb. 3, 2014. The exhibit commemorates the war's 200th anniversary and features artifacts, maps and an indepth exploration of the significant role of Tennessee and its people in this important chapter in history.  

Curator Myers Brown will lead a tour of the exhibition and answer questions at an opening reception Thursday, Dec. 19, beginning at 6 p.m. Brown is an Archivist with the Tennessee State Library and Chair of the Tennessee War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.

After years of escalating tensions, the United States declared war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812, the war culminated with the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815. By the time the war was over several Tennesseans were beginning to emerge as important American figures, including Andrew Jackson, David Crockett, Sam Houston, Edmund Gaines (Act of Congress Medal winner), and Sequoyah.

Portrait of Andrew Jackson
by Ralph E. W. Earl, ca. 1837

The war in the south was waged predominately by Tennessee militia, volunteers, or regular army units raised in the state. So many Tennesseans volunteered for service that the state was soon known by the nickname, the “Volunteer State.” The victory at the Battle of New Orleans propelled Andrew Jackson to the White House and established Tennessee at the forefront of American politics.

Two notable events from the War of 1812 are forever etched in the collective consciousness of America’s heritage: the British burning of Washington, D.C. when First Lady Dolly Madison saved the portrait of George Washington before she fled the capital, and the writing of the “Star Spangled Banner” by attorney Francis Scott Key during the British attack of Ft. McHenry at Baltimore.

The Tennessee State Museum collaborated with other organizations to develop and produce the exhibition, including The Hermitage: Home of President Andrew Jackson, the State Library & Archives, and the Tennessee War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee. Important art, portraits, uniforms, weapons and period artifacts from the era, as well as a broad variety of documentary art, maps and illustrations have been selected to recreate a flavor of the times.

“Becoming the Volunteer State: Tennessee in the War of 1812” is an exhibition of the Tennessee State Museum in collaboration with the American Association of State and Local History. The exhibit’s statewide tour is supported in part by a grant from Humanities Tennessee, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Tina Turner Days becomes annual celebration

What started as a fan celebration honoring Tina Turner's childhood school, Flagg Grove, has developed into an annual festival observing the heritage and legacy of the international music icon. Tina Turner Heritage Days will be held September 27-28 at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, Tenn. The event will include tours, concerts and a stew competition.

Friday night is Fan Appreciation Night and includes a reception and exhibit of Tina posters. A documentary titled "From Muskogee to Nutbush" will follow. The film, made during the 2012 visit to Nutbush by a group of young artist from Muskogee, Ok., creates a parallel between the two cities, including their struggles with adversity and segregation and highlights the common bond that is part of the journey - music.

Knut Roppestad

Wrapping up the Friday evening activities is Norwegian Bluesman Knut Roppestad. Born and raised in Horton, Norway, he began his American adventures in the 1980s and continues to travel and perform in the U.S. at every opportunity. "I've been a long time fan of Tina Turner since seeing her live in Oslo," says Roppestad. "I promise a steamy version of 'Steamy Windows' for the fans."

Saturday's festivalgoers can choose between tours of Nutbush, Turner's childhood home, and painting an abstract of Tina on vinyl. The smell of stew will fill the air as teams compete for the title of "Stewmaster"  and live music from the Spotlight Rising Stars of Muskogee, will entertain between 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The festival concludes with a Tribute performance at the Ann Marks Performing Arts Center in  Brownsville's Historic District. Former Flagg Grove School student Lollie Mann will open the show with original gospel numbers and share her memories of time spent at Flagg Grove. Following Mann is Music Highway Band. This Jackson, Tenn., group has performed together since 2001, and have worked with such legendary performers as Carl Mann and Eddie Bond, developing their own special blend of rockabilly and country.

Dorothy Cole

Rhythm and blues performer Dorothy Cole will headline the show. Energetic and fun, Cole began her career as a tribute artist in 1993 when she won a Tina look-a-like contest while performing Proud Mary. Since then, she has performed all over the country and in England where she shared the stage with Rod Stewart during a special performance tribute to Tina. A Chattanooga native and Decatur, Ala., resident, Cole appeared in Haywood County for the 2002 dedication of Highway 19 as "Tina Turner Highway."

"I'm excited about being back in Brownsville," says Cole. "Performing in Tina's hometown is always a privilege and I'm especially excited to be a part of the first Tina Turner Heritage Days."

The Saturday evening concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets and more information, including a complete schedule of events, can be found on the festival website: www.tinaturnerheritagedays.com, or by contact the Delta Heritage Center at 731-779-9000.

Rockabilly star to perform at August Concert on the Porch

Rayburn Anthony

The porch of the Sleepy John Estes home in Brownsville will be rocking when rockabilly musician Rayburn Anthony takes the stage August 17 for Concert on the Porch. Anthony, a Humboldt native,  is well-known both regionally and internationally for his unique blend of rock and country. Opening for Anthony at 7 p.m., is Haywood County's Emily Pilant.

Rayburn Anthony's first recordings were for the legendary Sun label in Memphis. Recording  singles such as "St. Louis Blues," "There's No Tomorrow" and Big Dream," Anthony performed regularly with West Tennessee legends Carl Perkins, W. S,. Holland and Carl Mann - just to name a few. He has performed on the Grand Ole Opry and written songs recorded by top country stars such as Conway Twitty/Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride and Jerry Lee Lewis.

He performs several times a year overseas and especially in Sweden where he has released five CDs, including an album recorded using vintage 1950s equipment. The album, "Jackson was Jumpin," credits Jackson, Tenn., for some of the rockabilly explosion of the fifties and the song itself gives name recognition to this region's top performers.

Emily Pilant and Piper Waddell

Emily Pilant will open for Anthony beginning at 7 p.m. She is an 18 year old graduate of Haywood High School and a Haywood County native. Pilant sings regularly with her church praise and worship band and dabbles in songwriting.  Piper Waddell will accompany Pilant on the guitar as she presents medleys from a variety of genres.

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

Concerts are presented free to the public each month on the third Saturday, through September, at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. For a complete schedule of upcoming concerts, visit www.westtnheritage.com.

Youth program strengthens tourist attractions

A pilot program that involves youth in tourism is underway in Brownsville. Through a partnership with Haywood High School and the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, students are evaluating local attractions and making suggestions for sustainable tourism.

The program is designed to strengthen local attractions by making them more appealing to a younger audience. At the same time,  students are learning the connection between tourism and economic development and how tourism can bring more jobs and people to the community.

To qualify for the Board, students in the high school's local government class were asked to write an essay entitled "Tourism: Do we need it?" The essays were evaluated and three students, Rebecca Pearson, Emily Pilant and Conner Coulston, were chosen to participate in the inaugural board.

Pictured, from left, Brownsville Mayor Jo Matherne, Rebecca Pearson, Emily Pilant, HHS Principal Dr. Jerry Pyron and Delta Heritage Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark.

Conner Coulston

The youth board was treated to guided tours of local attractions. Afterwards, students and curators sat down for frank round-table discussions about the students experience. Students asked questions and offered fresh perspectives and ideas about how to make a primarily history product more relevant to today's youth.

"It was very eye-opening to spend time with these students and to hear their ideas," says Delta Heritage Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark. "We came away with practical things we can do to better present our tourism products."

"You Are Here" signage to orientate visitors to their surroundings and give perspective to where historical events took place was among easily implemented suggestions. Other ideas included digital collections on websites and better use of social media.

"While we know we can't immediately implement all the ideas," says Clark, " we are confident that with fresh eyes looking at our attractions each year we will be able to strengthen our facilities and attract more visitors."

The program also has a hands-on element that gives students a chance to implement their idea or help with aspects of current programming. When a new board is chosen this fall, each will receive a t-shirt designed especially for the program by the inaugural group.

Special recognition was given to the students during Brownsville's May City Board meeting. Each student was presented a certificate of achievement from City Mayor Jo Matherne and HHS Principal Dr. Jerry Pyron. The certificates were also signed by Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Susan Whitaker.