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.

Exit 56 Blues Fest announces music line-up

Little Boys Blue will headline this year's Exit 56 Blues Fest May 24. The festival is free and held annually on the grounds of the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

Blues fans will gather May 24 at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville for the 4th Annual Exit 56 Blues Fest. The music festival continues to attract Blues enthusiasts from all over the region and is West Tennessee's only dedicated Blues festival outside of Memphis. The event is Saturday, May 24 and begins at noon. It will feature arts and crafts, car and motorcycle cruise in, a deep-fried barbecue eating competition and an eclectic gathering of West Tennessee Blues men and women.

This year's music line-up opens with Memphis Jones, a regular a B.B. Kings in Memphis and music historian who entertains the audiences with stories about the songs he sings. Also performing throughout the afternoon is West Tennesseans Lorina McMinn and The Myxx and  Dorothy Guinn and Savannah Shoals; along with Mississippi's Sean Apple and his All Night Long Blues Band.

Beginning at 5 p.m., the Elam McKnight Band will take the stage with a set of their own before backing up West Tennessee Bluesman Dudley Harris. Also making a first time appearance at the festival  is Tennessee Sax and the Blues Gentlemen. Many will know Tennessee Sax as Linzie Butler, a Jackson native who has performed all over the world.

The Eric Hughes Band takes the stage at 7 p.m. Hughes has played the festival since its inception in 2011 and this year brings his complete band to entertain with his special blend of Delta and urban blues. He recently released his fourth CD entitled "Drink Up."

Headlining this year's festival is Little Boys Blue, a band formed in 1993 by the award-winning team of Jimmy D. Taylor, of Brownsville, and Jackson's Steve Patterson. Accompanied by Mark Brooks, Dave Mallard, Dave Thomas and Alex Taylor, this band does "boogie blues with an attitude," encompassing a mixture of electric, acoustic country blues, rhythm and blues and Americana roots music. The group has just finished working in the studio and will soon release their newest CD, "Bad Love," on the Jaxon Record label.

Admission is free. A complete schedule can be found at www.Exit56Blues.com.

We're excited to share this post with our readers. DeVanté is a student volunteer and a great asset to have around the Center. He is friendly and greets our visitors well. We will certainly miss him when he goes off to college. We hope you enjoy his view of our Center.

 View of a Student Volunteer

By DeVanté Douglas

DeVanté Douglas

I have been a volunteer at the Delta Heritage Center for quite some time now. The Delta Heritage Center is not your typical "museum" if you would like to call it that. It is a wonderful place to stop by if you live in town or if you’re from out of town and just stopping by for a quick second, the place is filled with nice and helpful people.

As a student I have learned so much about the Heritage Center and I absolutely love to volunteer here. I encourage more young people to volunteer, not just for community service but to spend a little time at the Heritage Center to get familiar with our history.

One thing I know for sure is that the wonderful people here sure wouldn't mind having you volunteer. That should make the transition a little better to make for you as young person and as a student. I know it helped me. Of course you could go volunteer at bigger places but that wouldn't mean anything if the people didn't treat you well.

To me it’s all about the people; how they treat each other and those who visit. Believe me when I tell you it will be hard to find anyone nicer than the women at the Delta Heritage Center.

 

Living or visiting the small town of Brownsville you might think that it doesn't have any historical value. That’s where you would be wrong.  The Delta Heritage Center has a lot of information that you would be surprised to learn. So many things have happened in our town.

The Delta Heritage Center is unique and a good place to visit and volunteer. The Center goes to show you size doesn't mean everything and smaller museums can be full of interesting things. You can’t judge a book by its cover and the Delta Heritage Center is something you have to visit and experience for yourself.