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Rockabilly Highway Revival - Downtown Selmer, TN
8:00 - 7:00
"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...
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.
While each Rockabilly Highway Revival has been special, in its own way, it is not stretching the point to say the 2012 event will be historic. A second Rockabilly Highway Mural will be dedicated and AiM, along with partners at MRA will cut the ribbon for the county's brand new visitor and cultural center. Needless to say, that means even bigger things are on the horizon!
As the county gears up for the 4th Annual Rockabilly Highway Revival, you will definitely want to mark your calendars for Saturday June 9, 2012. This special edition of Arts in McNairy's email newsletter will detail the events of the day. Announcements will be made and updated regularly on the Rockabilly Highway 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 2012 Rockabilly Highway Revival. It will be a rockin' good time in Selmer!
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| Rockabilly Beauties, Local Talent, Hot Rods, Cool Bikes and More! |
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Miss Rockabilly Court Presentation and Selmer Idol
Beauty and talent abound in McNairy County! You will see exactly what we mean, as the 2012 Miss Rockabilly court, crowned just last month, is presented during the festival. The court will be assisting with festival events and greeting visitors throughout the day as local super stars in training entertain at the Farmers Market. Selmer Parks and Rec will be kicking off their annual Selmer Idol contest as part of the Rockabilly Highway Revival.
See the schedule below for the Selmer Idol performance times and presentation of the Rockabilly Beauty Pageant winners. |
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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. Faith Riders are coordinating a morning ride to the Tupelo for a visit to the birthplace of Elvis Presley. They will cruise back into downtown for the headline entertainment.
For more information about the car show contact Aubrey or Melanie King at (731) 697-9149 or (731) 645-4873. Bike show and ride details available from Randy Fowler at (731) 610-5248. |
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Local Legend
Bo Jack Killingsworth
12:00 PM
Bo Jack Killingsworth had one of the earliest local Rock bands and went on to tour and play with some of the Rockabilly music greats. Locally beloved for playing benefits and lending his name to any good cause, Bo Jack can still entertain with the best of them!
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Sonny Burgess &
the Legendary Pacers
1:30 PM
Sam Phillips said Sonny Burgess was one the best raw talents ever recruited by Sun Records. Nearly 60 years later, Sonny and his band, the Legendary Pacers, are still getting it done! One of the best live Rockabilly bands to ever grace the stage makes their first appearance at the Rockabilly Highway Revival! |
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Brandon Giles & the Tricky Two
4:00 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. Giles makes his second Rockabilly Highway Revival appearance! |
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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. Rockabilly Cafe also has burgers, dogs and other delicious diner favorites. Downtown's newest eatery, Besso's, is a popular stop for specialty coffee drinks, soups, sandwiches and everyone's favorite, gelato. 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. Don't forget to visit the McNairy County Historical Museum on third street and stop by the Courthouse for a tour of the old jail and restored office of McNairy County's legendary "Walking Tall" sheriff Buford Pusser. You will find plenty of other points of interest in downtown like Rockabilly Highway Mural I, two music theme sculptures at Rockabilly Park and a Tennessee Civil War Trails wayside marker on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. You can also tour the new visitor and cultural center where you will find an excellent exhibit of local artists and artisans sponsored by AiM's visual arts committee.
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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| 2011 Rockabilly Highway Revival Schedule and Acknowledgements |
Rockabilly Highway Revival
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Schedule of Events
8:00 Vendor Setup
9:00 Rockabilly Highway Mural Dedication
9:30 Visitors and Cultural Center Ribbon Cutting
9:30 Group Exhibit Opening in Cultural Center Gallery
9:30 Vendors and Downtown Merchants Open to Public
10:00 Selmer Idol at the Farmer's Market Pavilion
10:30 Pickin' at Pat's (Pat's Cafe' Stage)
12:00 Bo Jack Killingsworth (Main Stage)
1:30 Sonny Burgess and the Legendary Pacers (Main Stage)
3:00 Car and Motorcycle Winners and Rockabilly Royalty
4:00 Brandon Giles and the Tricky Two (Main Stage)
7:00 Screening of American Graffiti (Visitor & Cultural Center) |
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