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Rockabilly Highway Revival - Downtown 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 a Mural to a Revival...
When Arts in McNairy commissioned Brian Tull to paint the 2009 Rockabilly Highway Mural at the corner of 2nd Street and Court Avenue in downtown Selmer, no one knew quite what to expect. Mural organizers only knew that some recognition of McNairy County's rich musical heritage was long over due. A mural seemed like a good way to draw attention to the subject and a little live Rockabilly music to commemorate the occasion was a natural fit. No one could have anticipated that a full blown Rockabilly Revival was just getting underway.
Since Tull made the first colorful brush strokes, a little over a year ago, a sort of cultural revolution has taken place in McNairy County. The evidence is everywhere. An estimated 5000 people attended the first Rockabilly Highway Revival in downtown Selmer. Court Avenue has been unofficially dubbed Rockabilly Boulevard and the downtown Rockabilly Cafe just opened a few weeks ago. Traffic is increasing in the old commercial district as motorists exit the bypass to get a glimpse of the landmark mural. Music artists regularly show up in Selmer to use the building as a backdrop for their publicity photos. It has also been featured in numerous periodicals and even appeared as a favorite tour stop on a European travel blog. The mural and Revival, combined, have more than 1,000 fans on Facebook (checkout the link below). Rockabilly legends like W.S. Holland and Carl Mann have performed in the county and a new generation of Rockabilly artists are just now cutting their teeth. Tales of Rock-n-Roll's first deejay, Dewey Phillips of Adamsville, have resurfaced and by now, everyone knows about the famous meeting of Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley at Bethel Springs.
If all of that is not enough, Arts in McNairy is working on a preservation project that will allow area residents to hear, for the first time, music that was performed and recorded in the county more than fifty years ago. This is sure to provide even deeper insights into an already astounding musical heritage. Soon there will be "Pickin' at Pats" and the Latta Visitors and Cultural Center is slated to open in 2011 giving McNairy County, yet another shot in the arm. This is what a revival looks like up close.
As the county gears up for the Rockabilly Highway Revival, you will definitely want to m ark your calendars for Saturday June 12, 2010. This special edition of the Arts in McNairy newsletter will detail the events of the day and give more information about the county's musical heritage. Announcements will be made and updated regularly on Facebook so join the group and come out and join the Rockabilly Highway Revival. It will be a rockin' good time in Selmer! Don't miss the fun!
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| Twisted Steel and Hot Rods! |
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Pace & Brooks Public Art Unveiling & Dedication 12:00 PM
Brian Tull's 2009 Rockabilly Highway Mural really started something. Arts in McNairy has committed to a three year project to help improve the looks of Selmer's old commercial district with a variety of public art installations. The city has purchased a pair of downtown lots along Front Street between Court and Warren Avenues. The front lot, at the former Holmes Brothers Auto Sales location, will be converted into a passive recreation area while the back lot will become a farmers market. Two musical heritage sculptures are being installed in this new green space and both will be dedicated at noon on Revival day.
Local metal sculptors Tim Pace and Bob Brooks have created two very different types of sculpture which visually interpret the Rockabilly Music heritage of McNairy County. The artists will be on hand throughout the day and you will be able to purchase smaller examples of their work in the Artist's Alley on 3rd Street. Examples are shown above or you can check out the artists online at:
Tim Pace: www.ecoartbytim.com
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Rockabilly Car Show
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The hotrods and muscle cars of the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s are almost as famous as the music. No celebration of the Rockabilly era would be complete without them.
Hundreds of period automobiles will be in town for the Rockabilly Highway Revival. Only vehicles through 1979 please! Arrive between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM to have pictures taken in front of the Rockabilly Highway Mural. Pictures will be mounted on participation plaques for a keepsake. there will be no classes but 10 specialty awards will be given at 3:00 PM. Entry fee is only $20.00.
Cars will be directed to Court Avenue and several side streets for display throughout the day. The downtown area will be closed off to all through traffic. Car clubs and individuals are welcome.
Several motorcycle and antique tractor clubs will also be participating with displays and several award categories of their own.
For more information about the car show contact Melanie King (731) 697-9149 or (731) 645-4873 or email her at: melaniepking@yahoo.com |
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Jason Thomas
and the Mean-Eyed Cats
12:30-1:30
Jason Thomas and the Mean-Eyed Cats are fixtures on the Chattanooga and North Georgia music scenes. The band performs regularly at the famous Chattanooga Choo Choo and are known for their authentic Rockabilly sound. See more 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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Original Sun Recording Artist, W.S. Holland & the W.S. Holland Band
4:00-5:00
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! By popular demand, Holland and his band make a return visit to the Rockabilly Highway revival. 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! You can find this unique, homegrown, treat at Pat's Cafe, known far and wide as the "international home of the slug burger." Winks Diner on 2nd Street also serves up great slugs. Selmer's newest eatery, the Rockabilly Cafe, will be having their grand opening during the Revival festivities and the always popular Village Coffee House will have plenty hot and cold java treats.
Selmer Parks and Recreation will sponsor a 5K Run to help work off the slugs as well as a carnival for the kids in the nearby Selmer City Park. Registration for the Rockabilly Run begins on the courthouse lawn at 7:00 AM and the starting gun will sound at 8:00. Registration will be $25 the day of the run or participants can call Parks and Rec (731-645-3866) for a an early registration discount of $15. 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 in the "Artist Alley" along 3rd Street. While on 3rd Street, you might also want to visit the McNairy County Historical Museum. Also be sure to stop by the Courthouse for a tour of the old jail and restored office of McNairy County's legendary "Walking Tall" sheriff Buford Pusser.
For more information about these businesses or details about becoming a vendor for the Rockabilly Highway Revival, contact the McNairy Regional Alliance at (731) 645-6360. |
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| Rockabilly Highway Revival Acknowledgements & Schedule |
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When the Tennessee legislature approved the renaming of highway 45 between Jackson, TN and the Mississippi state line, Rockabilly Highway, Arts in McNairy knew something should be done to commemorate the occasion. The public art installations and the Rockabilly Revival festival are our way of doing just that while honoring the area's rich musical heritage. To say these efforts have paid off would be an understatement. With AiM encouragement, tourism and cultural planners in Mississippi are now considering continuing Rockabilly Highway from Alcorn County to Lee County (Tupelo), MS. Who knows what such a regional partnership might might bring in the future?
We are greatly indebted to the Jackson Arts Council and Tennessee Arts Commission for the Arts Builds Communities grants that have helped fund these projects. The McNairy Regional Alliance and Selmer Business Alliance have made significant financial investments in these programs while planning and carrying out many of the Revival events and they deserve much recognition. Selmer Parks and Recreation Department and the city's elected officials have been great supporters of downtown arts events and continue to invest in the area's cultural future. Tourism Association of Southwest Tennessee and the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau have tirelessly promoted the Revival as an important part of West Tennessee's total cultural tourism package. AiM Heritage and Culture Committee continues to weave a musical story out of the bits and pieces of cultural history that are collected with the help of the fine people of McNairy County. A special word of thanks is due to artists, Brian Tull, Bob Brooks and Tim Pace who have inspired the community with their creative vision. Finally, W.S. Holland's encouragement and support of Rockabilly music preservation should not go unnoticed. He has been pivotal in the success of this event since it was just in the talking stages and we are greatful for his involvement.
Rockabilly Highway Revival
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Schedule of Events
7:00-7:45 5K registration at courthouse
8:00-10:00 Streets closed/vendor setup
8:00-10:00 Rockabilly 5K Run
9:00-11:00 Car show pictures and placement
10:00-11:00 Stores and vendors open to pedestrian traffic
11:00-12:00 Presentation of Miss Rockabilly Court & Selmer Idol winners
12:00-12:30 Welcome and sculpture dedication
12:30-1:30 Jason Thomas and the Mean-Eyed Cats (Main Stage)
1:30-2:00 Special announcements/Pickin' at Pat's
2:00-3:00 Phil Hummer & the White Falcons (Main Stage)
3:00-4:00 Car show & bike awards and announcements
4:00-5:00 W.S. Holland Band (Main Stage)
5:00-6:00 Rockabilly Revival Jam (Main Stage)
6:00-8:00 Street Dance on 3rd Ave. and Pickin at Pat's
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