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Rockabilly Highway Revival - Downtown Selmer, TN
8:00 am - 10:00 pm
"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 two years ago, a sort of cultural revolution has taken place in McNairy County. The evidence is everywhere. An estimated 10,000+ people attended the first two Rockabilly Highway Revivals in downtown Selmer. Court Avenue has been unofficially dubbed Rockabilly Boulevard and the downtown Rockabilly Cafe is now open for business serving up diner favorites and hosting a regular monthly antique car cruise-in. Live music can now be heard regularly at Pat's Cafe on the "Pickin' Porch" constructed for just that purpose. How could a Friday night get much better than one of Pat's famous Slugburgers and some local pickers for entertainment? Selmer purchased a small green space along Front Street, added a farmers market and dubbed it "Rockabilly Park" after AiM installed two more pieces of public art. Traffic is increasing in the old commercial district as motorists exit the bypass to get a glimpse of the Rockabilly Highway Mural and musical heritage themed sculptures. Music artists regularly show up in Selmer to use the public art installations as backdrops for their publicity photos. All these additions have help create a kind of downtown walking trail which appears in several tourism guide books for the area and Tull's landmark mural graces the cover of the Tennessee Trails and Byways Walking Tall Trail brochure. Tourist on the streets of downtown Selmer are now a familiar site. 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 received a generous music preservation grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission that will allow area residents to hear, for the first time in more than sixty years, music that was performed and recorded in the county. These recordings are sure to provide a few surprises as well as deeper insights into an already astounding local musical heritage. The AiM Heritage and Cultural Committee is researching ways to share these wonderful recordings made by Mr. Stanton Littlejohn with the community. The Latta Visitors and Cultural Center is slated to open later this year providing a focal point for cultural tourism, economic development and arts programming. This is sure to give McNairy County, yet another shot in the arm. This is what a revival looks like up close.
As the county gears up for the 3rd Annual Rockabilly Highway Revival, you will definitely want to mark your calendars for Saturday June 11, 2011. This special edition of Arts in McNairy's email newsletter will detail the events of the day and give a little more information about the county's rich musical heritage. Announcements will be made and updated regularly on the Revival Facebook page so join the group by clicking on the link below and by all means, come out and join the fun at the Rockabilly Highway Revival. It will be a rockin' good time in Selmer!
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| Mural Magic, Local Artists, Green Market, Hot Rods, Cool Bikes and More! |
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Muralist Brian Tull and Local Goods at Rockabilly Park
If the world of muralists has a rock star, it is surely hometown boy, Brian Tull. Not only is he responsible for the 2009 Rockabilly Highway Mural, he has also been contracted to add a second sweeping demonstration of his skill to Selmer's downtown landscape. Tull will begin work on a new mural, at the corner of Court Avenue and Front Street, later this summer. It will be on the blank wall adjacent to the farmers market pavilion, fittingly in Selmer's new Rockabilly Park. Much thanks to Judge Van McMahan for the use of his building for the mural which will be viewed when approaching downtown from the southeast. Tull will be on hand June 11 to perform the ceremonial first brush stroke on the project which is funded in part by a generous grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission. He might even be prompted to give up a few details about his plans for the mural! Learn more about Brian's work at the link below.
Other artists, artisans and local growers will also be in the park and pavilion area throughout the day on June 11 providing a good sample of McNairy County's abundant produce and talent. The winners of the most recent Selmer Idol contest and other local musicians are scheduled to perform under the pavilion. Look for the antique tractor display on Warren Avenue behind the farmers market.
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Rockabilly Car Show and Motorcycle Ride
The hotrods, muscle cars and bikes of the era, are almost as famous as Rockabilly music. No celebration of that period would be complete without them.
Hundreds of antique and classic automobiles and bikes will be in town for the Rockabilly Highway Revival. Cars through 1979 only please! Participants should arrive between 8:30 and 11:00 AM for pictures. No classes or judging but keepsake participation plaques bearing the Rockabilly logo (above) and each registered vehicles photo 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. A motorcycle ride will leave the McNairy County courthouse at 10:00 AM and run the length of Rockabilly Highway from Selmer to Jackson, Tennessee, ending at the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Bikes will cruise back into Selmer in the afternoon for the motorcycle show and other festivities. For more information about the car show contact Aubrey or Melanie King at (731) 697-9149 or (731) 645-4873 or email at: melaniepking@yahoo.com Bike show and ride details available from Randy Fowler at (731) 610-5248. |
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Original Sun Recording Artist Rayburn Anthony
4:30 PM
Native West Tennessean and legendary Rockabilly artist Rayburn Anthony makes his first appearance at the Revival! Anthony recorded sixteen singles at Sun Records and had three major releases for the label. Find out more about his amazing fifty year music career:
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Phil Hummer &
the White Falcons
5:30 PM
The visual inspiration for the first 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 Falcons at: www.philhummer.com |
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Brandon Giles & the Tricky Two
7:00 PM Brandon Giles is simply one of the hottest young piano players working today. He stands in the tradition of artists like Jerry Lee Lewis and other honky tonk piano greats but his electrifying show is 100% Brandon Giles. Check out clips and music at: |
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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." Pat's will also have live entertainment on the "Pickin Porch" throughout the day. Winks Diner on 2nd Street serves up great slugs too. Downtown's newest eatery, The Rockabilly Cafe has burgers, dogs and other delicious diner favorites. Village Coffee House is a popular stop for lighter fare as well as deserts, smoothies and specialty coffee drinks. China King and El Palamino, both on Court Avenue, add an international flare with excellent Chinese and Mexican offerings.
A variety of downtown shops and antique stores will be open providing a unique shopping experience for visitors. Many of the vendors and store owners will be offering special sales and promotions. Several artists from McNairy County's famed Artisan Trail will also be on hand doing demonstrations and selling their work. Look for them and local produce vendors in Rockabilly Park on Front Street adjacent to the farmers market pavilion. Don't forget to visit the McNairy County Historical Museum on Third Street and the carnival rides and midway at nearby Dixie Park. 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. Cast members of Arts in McNairy's production of Bye Bye Birdie will offer a sneak preview, performing some of the show's favorites numbers on a couple of the stages throughout the day.
For more information about these businesses and activities or details about becoming a vendor for the Rockabilly Highway Revival, contact the McNairy Regional Alliance at (731) 645-6360. |
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| Five Performances of Bye Bye Birdie June 10-14 |
 Who could think of a better musical theatre compliment to the Rockabilly Highway Revival than Bye Bye Birdie? Opening Rockabilly weekend, Birdie will be the finale of the 2010-11 AiM Performing Arts season. Don't miss this Rockabilly era musical favorite.
McNairy Central High School
Little Theatre
Friday June 10 - 7:30 PM
Saturday June 11 - 7:30 PM
Sunday June 12 - 2:00 PM
Monday June 13 - 7:30 PM
Tuesday June 14 - 7:30 PM
$5.00 & $8.00 Tickets Available at the Door
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| 2011 Rockabilly Highway Revival Schedule and Acknowledgements |
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Phil Hummer kicks it at the 2010 Rockabilly Highway Revival. Photo Courtesy of Russell Ingle and MRA |
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 Highway Revival 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 but it takes mutliple partners working together to make an event, this size, come together and run smoothly for three consecutive years. We are greatly indebted to the Jackson Arts Council and Tennessee Arts Commission for the Arts Builds Communities grants that have helped fund the public art initiative. The McNairy Regional Alliance and Selmer Business Alliance have made significant financial investments in this event while planning and coordinating many of the Revival activities. Their staff and boards deserve much recognition. Selmer Parks and Recreation Department and the city Mayor and Board of Aldermen have been great supporters. It is much easier for quality events to flourish in communities where the elected officials value quality of life and are willing to invest in the arts and culture. Melaine and Aubry King and the Faith Riders work a small miracle every year, seamlessly bringing in so many beautiful cars, bikes, tractors and of course their owners. 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, Tennessee. Finally, artists Brain Tull, Tim Pace, Bob Brooks, W.S. Holland, Carl Mann, Rayburn Anthony, Phil Hummer, Lane Keifling, Jason Thomas and Brandon Giles (to name just a few) have provided a varitable feast for the eyes and ears making the Rockabilly Highway Revival something truly special over the course of the last three years. Thank you one and all!
Rockabilly Highway Revival
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Schedule of Events
8:30 Antique Car and Tractor Show Begins
9:00 Vendors and Downtown Merchants Open
10:00 Motorcycle Ride Leaves Courthouse
11:00 Selmer Idol Winners at Rockabilly Park and Farmers Market Pavilion
1:00 Pickin' at Pat's (Cafe stage) & Live Music at the Farmers Market Pavilion
3:00 Car and Motorcycle Show Winners and Rockabilly Royalty Announced
4:30 Original Sun Recording Artist Rayburn Anthony (Main Stage)
5:30 Phil Hummer and the White Falcons (Main Stage)
7:00 Brandon Giles (Main Stage)
9:00 Fireworks at Rockabilly Park |
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