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Summer Greetings From Arts in McNairy!
AiM activity usually slows down a bit during the hot summer months but there really is no "off season" for arts administration. The AiM board usually plans and carries out most of our corporate and individual fundraising efforts in late spring and early summer. Fall will, of course, bring another busy slate of cultural activites so the board and committee chairs will be busy all summer laying the foundations for many exciting cultural programs. That doesn't mean we are finished until autumn! this newsletter details several upcoming AiM events in June and July.
Please remember us as you plan your corporate giving for the next fiscal year or consider making an individual tax deductible contribution to the organization (see details below). We could not survive without the generosity of our individual and corporate patrons and we thank you for your constant generosity. We hope you have a safe and happy summer. |
| The Starmites are Coming This Weekend! |
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 The 2008-09 Arts in McNairy theatre season will conclude with three performances of the Broadway musical Starmites June 19-21. Friday (6/19) and Saturday (6/20) evening performances are scheduled for 7:30 PM and a Sunday (6/21) matinee is scheduled for 2:00 PM. All performances will be at the McNairy Central High School Little Theatre and tickets will be available at the door for $5.00 (student) and $8.00 (adult). Starmites was nominated for six Tony Awards when it first debuted on Broadway in 1989 and has since become a favorite of community theatre and performing arts groups. The show has an all local cast of about 30 young performers. It is part musical sci-fi adventure, part love story, part super hero drama and all fun. It tells the story of the shy teenager Eleanor who withdraws into the fantasy world of her science fiction comic books only to be drawn into an epic battle with the fate of the earth hanging in the balance. Is it real or all in Eleanor's imagination? You will have to stay till the climactic, "mind bending" conclusion to discover the answer. Starmites is adapted from a book by Stuart Ross and Barry Keating and is being produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. New York, NY. Music and lyrics are by Barry Keating with vocal arrangements by Dianne Adams. Special thanks to Selmer artist Molly Weatherford for visual adaptations of Starmites. Local performances are under the direction of Jared A. Walters and the show is appropriate for all ages. Don't miss it! |
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Rockabilly Highway Revival Hits the Mark |
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 At midnight, last Friday, Brian Tull was lifting the last sculptural elements of the Rockabilly Highway Mural into place on the heels of a violent thunderstorm. Just before dawn a second line of clouds rumbled through the area. Despite the threating weather, the sun rose on a perfect Summer morning Saturday June 13. As the gleaming muscle cars rolled into town and the 5K run got underway the smells of hamburgers cooking and fish frying filled the air. By noon, the vendors, downtown merchants and artists were already starting to get busy. When the official dedication ceremony began and Rockabilly Highway Proclomation was read there were literally thousands of people in Selmer for the event. Jakehead, Phil Hummer, Carl Mann and the W.S. Holland Band delivered a memorable afternoon of Rockabilly music and the first annual Rockabilly Highway Revival was one for the history books.
The event was regarded by all as a huge success and plans are already underway to expand and improve the Rockabilly Revival for next year. If you missed out on the fun, you will at least want a commemorative tee shirt from this historic, first Revival. A limited number are still available in a few sizes at the McNairy County Chamber of Commerce office. Call to reserve one at 731-645-6360 while supplies last.
Rockabilly Highway Revival Official Proclomation
Welcome to the Rockabilly Highway Revival! This event and the beautiful mural that we are dedicating today commemorate McNairy County Tennessee's significant role in the development of the American roots music we now know as Rockabilly. And as Rockabilly artist, historian and author Jerry Naylor so aptly observed, "They called it Rockabilly long before they called it Rock-n-Roll."
Rockabilly Music was born in the honkytonks, school gymnasiums, back porches, cotton fields and yes, even the churches of West Tennessee and North Mississippi. It draws inspiration from a variety of deep and familiar musical wells including the Blues, Hillbilly Music, and Gospel. It is a uniquely American art form that expresses something very meaningful about the people who created it and the raw power of Rockabilly music touched off a revolution in popular culture that reverberates until this very day. We are lucky enough to have some of those early Rockabilly pioneers in attendance today and we will have the good fortune to hear more from them a little later this afternoon.
McNairy County is at the center of Rockabilly Highway and was at the center of the cultural explosion that became known as Rockabilly and later Rock-n-Roll Music. Carl Perkins met and saw Elvis Presley play a live concert for the first time just a few miles north of here in Bethel Springs Tennessee. Legendary Dee Jay, Dewey Phillips who was the first to play and popularize Rockabilly Music over the airwaves called Adamsville, Tennessee home. Johnny Cash played at Stantonville, Tennessee just weeks before recording his first Sun Records release. Many other Rockabilly legends also honed their sound in and around the area. So, McNairy County's Rockabilly roots are deep and her place in music history is secure. Brian Tull's Rockabilly Highway Mural pays homage to this rich musical heritage.
When Highway 45 between Jackson Tennessee and the Mississippi line was renamed Rockabilly Highway, by an act of the state legislature in 2008, McNairy County wanted to be the first to honor this facet of our area's musical heritage. The "Rockabilly Highway Mural" was commissioned by Nashville artist and McNairy County native, Brian Tull. The mural now stands at the corner of 2nd Street and Court Avenue and it is a fitting tribute to Rockabilly Music, the earliest recording artists and the culture that produced them. Brian has delivered a stunning artistic achievement on nothing less than a 20x120 canvas and it will be enjoyed for many years to come. Brian is living testament to the fact that, McNairy County's roots in the visual arts are just as deeply embedded as her musical roots. So, it is with the deepest gratitude to Brian Tull that we dedicate the Rockabilly Highway Mural to the people of McNairy County, Tennessee and to the pioneers of Rockabilly Music.
Without futher delay, let the Revival begin!
Special Thanks and Acknowledgements:
- The Board of Directors of Arts in McNairy, McNairy Regional Alliance, Selmer Business Alliance and the Rockabilly Highway Revival Committee
- Tennessee Arts Commission and the Jackson Arts Council for the Arts Builds Communities Grant that partially funded the mural
- Mr. W.S. Holland for the encouragement and support of this event
- Tony and Pamela Hubanks for the use of their building
- Mary Beth Hopper from Tourism Association of Southwest Tennessee
- The Independent Appeal, McNairy County News, Daily Corinthian, Jackson Sun and Savannah Courier for their keen interest and excellent coverage of the Rockabilly Highway Mural and Revival project
- Russell Ingle for the photos inculded in this story
- Mr. Tom Hendrix for the TV promotion
- Selmer Parks and Recreation and Selmer Fire/Police Department; Cindy Kennedy and the McNairy County Solid Waste Department; McNairy County Mayor Jai Templeton and County Commissioners; Sheriff Rickey Roten and the McNairy County Sheriff's Department; BSA Troop 32; Mr. Phillip Shelton
- Senator Gresham and Representative Dennis
- Corporate underwriters - The City of Selmer, AT&T, Solid Gospel; Masco Bath; Selmer Home Banking Company & Modern Woodmen of Selmer.
- Representatives Eldridge, Shaw, Coley, Matheny, McManus, Crider, Maddox, McDaniel, Ulysses Jones, Miller, Vaughn, Rinks, Pinion, Larry Turner, Gresham & McCormick and Senators Lowe Finney & Marrero Speaker Wilder for their support of the Rockabilly Highway initiative
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| Old-Fashioned 4th of July with the Freedom Festival Featuring the AiM Community Band |
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Saturday July 4th, Selmer Parks and Recreation will sponsor the Freedom Festival. This annual Independence Day celebration begins at noon with a parade from the courthouse to the Selmer City Park. Events are scheduled throughout the day and the festivities will conclude with a 9:00 PM fireworks display at the soccer field.
Patriotic music provided by the AiM Community Band has become something of a tradition at the event. The band has performed at every Freedom Festival since its inception and is scheduled for an evening performance on this year's program. Check this week's Independent Appeal for a complete schedule of activities or go to Selmer's website and click through to the Parks and Recreation pages: www.selmer-tn.com.
The AiM community band is under the direction of Ronnie Brooks and accepts musicians of all ages and skill levels. Contact Mr. Brooks at 731-645-1015 (work) or 731-645-6404 (home) for participation details or attend one of the remaining rehearsals for more information. All rehearsals are at the Selmer Middle School Band Hall just off Hwy 64 East in Selmer. Times are 7:00PM Monday June 22; 7:00PM Thursday June 25th; 7:00 PM Monday June 29th and
6:00 PM Thursday July 2nd (dress rehearsal) at the Selmer City Park Stage.
If you can't join in the summer fun, rehearsals will begin in the fall for a Christmas concert. More information will be available on the AiM blog or through this newsletter as the date approaches. |
| June 18 Book Club - To Kill a Mockingbird |
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 The June Book Club selection is Harper Lee's beloved classic, "To Kill a Mockingbird." Come join the group for a lively discussion and light snacks every 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM.
We are proud to announce that the Jack McConnico Memorial Library in Selmer has agreed to host all future club meetings in their conference room just off the main entrance. The Library is located at 225 Oak Grove Rd, in Selmer, between McNairy Regional Hospital and Home Banking Company. Special Thanks to librarian Norma Humpheries for her hospitality and help with promoting the AiM Book Club.
The June gathering will be important since the group will be discussing the summer and fall reading lists. Please attend to give your input or request your favorite books. There is no charge for participating in the club. Anyone is welcome to attend. Contact Literary Arts Chair, Leanne Emmons at (731) 646-3851 for further details. |
| Help Us Take AiM on the Arts in 2009-10 |
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| Arts in McNairy has been able to survive and flourish over the years due to the generosity of the dedicated citizens and businesses of McNairy County. Your tax deductible contributions* have helped AiM provide:
- Community Theatre which reaches literally thousands each year through adult and student cast, crew and audience members
- Summer Concert Series bringing first rate live musical entertainment to Selmer every summer for concerts free to the community
- Rockabilly Highway Mural showcasing the tremendous talent of county native, Brian Tull and shining the spotlight on our unique musical heritage
- AiM Artisan Trail which engages local artisans and crafts people through festivals and two annual tours enhancing local tourism
- Art Workshops which provide educational opportunities for our musicians, actors and visual artists young and young at heart
- Visual Art Showings featuring area artists in individual and group shows and "meet the artist" receptions in cooperation with UTM McNairy/Selmer
- Annual Photography Contest which attracts hundreds of stunning amateur photo entries each fall for judging, show, reception and awards presentation
- Heritage and Cultural Assessment that provides deeper understanding of the best McNairy County's rich cultural traditions have to offer
- Community Band and Chorus giving amateur musicians and vocalists an opportunity to participate in organized musical efforts and local concerts
Please consider making your contribution today in one of the following categories.
Individual Donor Categories:
Student......................$10.00
Individual...................$15.00
Family........................$25.00
Donor.........................$50.00
Patron........................$100.00
Benefactor..................$250.00
Sustainer....................$500.00
Corporate Patrons Sponsorship Levels:
Corporate Bronze........$250.00
Corporate Silver..........$500.00
Corporate Gold............$750.00
Corporate Platinum......$1,000.00
Corporate Diamond......$1,000.00+
Make checks payable to Arts in McNairy and mail to:
Arts in McNairy
P.O. Box 66
Selmer, TN 38375
*Arts in McNairy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. Consult your tax professional for more information about tax deductible gifts |
| AiM Artist Spotlight - Jack Martin and Hockaday Handmade Brooms |
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 Jack Martin is a one-man folk art factory, educator and historic preservationist. He has also, rightly, been called a "McNairy County cultural treasure." Jack, you see, is something of a rock star in folk art circles. He has been featured on HGTV, DIY Network, numerous Public Television specials and countless national and regional periodicals. His products are sought by folk art collectors, percussionists and sweepers alike and he even has a broom in the Smithsonian. In 2007 Jack was honored with the Bill Rail Community Ambassador award by the McNairy County Chamber of Commerce in recognition of his tirelessly promotion of the cultural heritage of our region.
So what's all the fuss? Jack has dedicated himself to the preservation of an important cultural tradition in McNairy County. He make's brooms the old fashioned way: one at a time on the family farm with his great grandfathers homemade equipment. Martin's family was one of many in the county who farmed during the summer and made brooms in the winter to supplement their income. Most of the handmade traditions and the equipment these families used have long since disappeared but Jack has managed to hang on to his heritage. He is well known for sponsoring the Hockaday Broomcorn Festival every September but he also does educational demonstrations for school groups and is in demand at other cultural festivals around the South.
Jack takes pride in the fact that he makes the best broom money can buy if you are interested in sweeping. If you are interested in displaying a piece of folk art, you might want one of the "Franklin Brooms" (based on Benjamin Franklin's design) with a hand carved handle. Perhaps you have some mopping to do, Jack can help out with a handmade mop. More interested in drumming? Try some of Jack's trademark Broomsticks that are exclusively marketed by ProMark, one of the world's leading percussion makers.
Despite being on of the best known and revered broom makers in the trade, he is just "Eddie Jack" to most of his McNairy County friends and neighbors. Martin can be found most days working at the Hockaday Broomcorn Shop and Museum at 2074 Hwy 142 in Selmer. He welcomes visitors most days but you might want to call ahead just in case he is away at another festival or educational event. Call him at 731-645-4823 or learn more about Hockaday Handmade Brooms at: www.hhbrooms.com
We are lucky to have Jack as a valued member of our community and appreciate his dedication to the cultural heritage of Southwest Tennessee. Thanks for all you do Jack Martin!
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