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Rockabilly Highway Revival Selmer, TN
12:00-5:00
"I first met Elvis in 1954 in a little town called Bethel Springs, Tennessee..."
-Carl Perkins
Rolling Stone Interview
Sept. 22, 1977
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 From Mural to Revival...
What started as a public art project has become a full fledged revival in McNairy County Tennessee. What exactly is being revived? Interest in the county's musical heritage for one thing; community enthusiasm for the whole Rockabilly Highway project for another.
As Brian Tull put the first vibrant brush strokes of red and yellow on the wall at the corner of Court and 2nd Avenue, in downtown Selmer, the buzz started. As the eye-catching images began to pop off of the plain white wall it sparked the imagination of the entire community. People everywhere were talking about what was going on in Selmer. A steady stream of traffic filed by to sneak a peak. They haven't been disappointed!
As the three primary partners in the mural project, Arts in McNairy, The McNairy County Chamber of Commerce and the Selmer Business Alliance began to make plans for the mural's dedication ceremonies a number of ideas for a bigger and better event soon emerged. That's how you go from a mural to a revival!
The mural is nearing completion and the festivities are all planned. Mark your calendars now for Saturday June 13, 2009. This special edition of the Arts in McNairy newsletter will detail the events of that day as the Rockabilly Highway Revival comes to McNairy County, TN! Don't miss it! |
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| Brush Strokes and Hot Rods! |
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Brian Tull's Rockabilly Highway Mural Dedication at 12:00 PM
When AiM, SBA and MCCC commissioned the Rockabilly Highway Mural in fall 2008, Brian Tull was given complete creative license. He was asked to design and deliver a mural that highlighted his native county's significant role in the history and development of Rockabilly Music. There was no more guidance than that.
The result is an astounding artistic achievement that simply has to be seen to be believed. Tull immersed himself in the cultural history as well as the current Rockabilly Music scene to produce a piece that is, at once, evocative of the era and stunningly contemporary in it's execution. Incorporating two and three dimensional elements and a variety of techniques, The mural is truly one of a kind and a fitting tribute to the high energy Rockabilly sound it's meant to commemorate.
Dedication and recognition ceremonies will kick off the day at 12:00 PM. Follow the mural's progress and leave your comments at the Fans of the Rockabilly Highway Mural groups on MySpace and Facebook. Search: Rockabilly Highway Mural and Rockabilly Highway Revival. |
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Rockabilly Car Cruise-In
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
The hotrods and muscle cars of the 40s, 50s and 60s are almost as famous as the music. No celebration of the Rockabilly era would be complete without them.
Dozens of period automobiles are expected to cruise in for the Rockabilly Highway Revival. Only vehicles through 1970 please! Arrive between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM to have the cars picture taken in front of the Rockabilly Highway Mural. Pictures will be mounted on a 5x7 participation plaque. There will be no classes but 10 specialty awards will be given at 3:00 PM. Entry fee is only $10.00.
Cars will be directed to Court Avenue near the main music stage for display throughout the day. The downtown area will be closed off to all through traffic. Car clubs and individuals are welcome.
For more information about the cruise-in contact the McNairy County Chamber of Commerce at: (731) 645-6360
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Jakehead with
Lane Kiefling
12:30-1:30
Band leader Lane Kiefling and Jakehead have one of the most authentic, high energy, Rockabilly inspired, sounds in contemporary music. This Nashville based group is a frequent headliner at Rockabilly celebrations everywhere! Check Lane and Jakehead out at:
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Phil Hummer
and the White Falcons
2:00-3:00
The visual inspiration for the Rockabilly Highway Mural, Phil Hummer's dynamic, trio, the White Falcons sound as good as they look! One of Nashville's hottest young Rockabilly acts. Learn more about the band at: www.philhummer.com |
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W.S. Holland Band Featuring Original Sun Records Artist Carl Mann
3:30-5:00
Legendary drummer for all of Carl Perkins' Sun Records sessions and Johnny Cash's sideman for more than 30 years, W.S. "Fluke" Holland is the real deal! Joining his band for the Rockabilly Revival will be original Sun Recording artist Carl Mann. Check them out on the web at: www.wsflukeholland.com
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| Selmer Means, Slugs, Shopping and Much, Much, More! |
 There will be plenty to occupy your time and attention while in Selmer for the Rockabilly Highway Revival. Food vendors, including purveyors of McNairy County's own "slug-burger," will make sure you don't leave hungry. No visit to Selmer is complete without a slug!
Selmer Parks and Recreation will sponsor a 5K Run to help work off the slugs and a carnival for the kids in the nearby Selmer City Park. Registration for the Rockabilly Run begins on the courthouse lawn at 7:30 AM while the carnival will be open all day.
A variety of downtown shops and antique stores will be open providing a unique shopping experience for visitors. Several artists from McNairy County's famed Artisan Trail will also be on hand doing demonstrations and selling their work.
While in downtown Selmer you might also want to visit the McNairy County Historical Museum and the restored office of legendary sheriff Buford Pusser in the McNairy County Courthouse.
For more information or more details about becoming a vendor for the Rockabilly Highway Revival, contact the McNairy County Chamber of Commerce at (731) 645-6360.
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| Rockabilly Highway - Reviving a Musical Heritage |
 McNairy County's Rockabilly roots run deep. Carl Perkins met and saw Elvis Presley perform for the first time at Bethel Springs High School in September 1954, just a month before signing his own Sun Records contract. A young Johnny Cash played for an enthusiastic audience at Stantonville in May 1955. Many other Rockabilly legends crisscrossed the county as they honed their signature sounds in the gymnasiums and honky tonks of rural southwest Tennessee and north Mississippi. Rock-n-Roll's first and most fabled deejay, Dewey Phillips, called Adamsville, Tennessee home. And all this is just scratching the surface of our musical heritage.
When the Tennessee legislature approved the renaming of highway 45 between Jackson, TN and the Mississippi state line, Rockabilly Highway, Arts in McNairy knew they had to do something to commemorate the occasion. The Rockabilly Highway Mural and Revival is our way of doing just that while honoring the county's rich cultural heritage.
AiM is greatly indebted to the Jackson Arts Council and Tennessee Arts Commission for the Arts Builds Communities grant that partially funded the project. The McNairy County Chamber of Commerce/Economic Development Commission, Selmer Mayor and Board of Aldermen and Selmer Business Alliance who have made significant financial contributions while planning most of the revival events also deserve much recognition. Special thanks is due to Brian Tull for an unbelievable artistic vision that has become the Rockabilly Highway Mural. See more of Brian's amazing work at: www.briantull.com
Come help us celebrate a one-of-a-kind musical heritage and an unparalleled artistic achievement as the Rockabilly Highway Revival comes to McNairy County Tennessee Saturday June 13, 2009! A complete Schedule of events will be posted to the AiM blog at: www.artsinmcnairy.blogspot.com |
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