Starting Friday evening, hot air balloons will light up the sky over Bartlett as the 2007 Bartlett Celebration & Car Show kicks off on Sept 28th at 6pm. The celebration will be held in W.J. Freeman Park located at 2629 Bartlett Blvd. Friday festivities include a midway carnival and live entertainment with 2 Mule Plow performing from 7pm-9pm. Gates open at 9am on Saturday for a day filled with all kinds of events, food, and music until 5pm. Admission is free and a free shuttle bus is available. For more information and music lineup, visit the City of Bartlett website and click on the Press Schedule link.
GONERFEST IV
Coming up Wednesday, Sept 26th through Sunday, Sept 30th is Gonerfest IV sponsored by Memphis-own Goner Records located at 2152 Young Avenue. Bigger and better, this year's event will showcase 38 bands from 3 continents at 4 venues. This week's Memphis Flyer has a complete guide on Gonerfest IV. And, for more information, go to www.goner-records.com.
REMEMBERING THE PLANTATION INN
The West Memphis Blues & Rhythm Society proudly presents a tribute to a West Memphis icon, The Plantation Inn. Explore and celebrate the nightclub that shaped “the Memphis Sound”.
This event will take place October 19-20 in West Memphis, AR. For more information & tickets, call 870-514-6340.
Friday, Oct 19th (location - Southland Park Gaming & Racing in West Memphis)
9:30am – 3:30pm: “Ben Branch, Bowlegs, and The Birth of the Memphis Sound”
A symposium featuring the insights and memories of scholars and musicians, including legendary musician and producer Jim Dickinson.
8:00pm – 11:00pm: “The First Annual Plantation Inn Tribute Gala Starring Wayne Jackson & The PI Blues Band”
From the high-flying sounds of Calvin Newborn to the horn-punctuated rhythms of Bowleg Miller’s big band, the musical tradition of the Plantation Inn will be celebrated by this band fronted by Memphis Horn and Stax legend Wayne Jackson.
Saturday, Oct 20th (location – Worthington Park in West Memphis)
5:30pm: “The Plantation Main Stage Amateur Blues & Rhythm Contest”
The spirit of the Plantation Inn comes back to life with a rollicking contest for amateur blues & rhythm bands.
***Admission to contest is free***
First prize: a session at Willie Mitchell’s Royal Recording Studio
Runner up: a St. Blues guitar donated by WDIA
The show will be judged by an esteemed panel of musicians including Calvin Newborn, Wayne Jackson, Boo Mitchell, and Brenda Berger O’Brien, daughter of Plantation Inn founder Morris Berger.
Band registration is free through Oct 19th. Go to www.westmemphisblues.com for details.
HEARTSONG CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF SOUL
Heartsong Church announces the main show for this year's Blues & BBQ fall festival. Blues & BBQ is a free community event designed to bring folks together for good entertainment, good food, and good fellowship on Saturday, Sept 22nd. In conjunction with the 50 year celebration of Memphis Soul, Heartsong is producing a unique show featuring JIMMY DAVIS, JACKIE JOHNSON, and REBA RUSSELL (all NARAS Award Winners) and the St. Benedict's at Auburndale Rock N' Soul Band directed by Tom Link ("DownBeat Magazine" Award Winner), and members of Heartsong's Wing and a Prayer band including Dave Smith, NARAS Premier Player Award Winner and member of the Hall of Fame. The Rock N' Soul Band will kick things off at 6:00pm followed by an acoustic set featuring Jimmy Davis, Jackie Johnson, and Reba Russell. Then, everyone will come back together for a soulful set to close things out.For more information, go to www.heartsongchurch.net.
The Juke N' Jamm Radio Show will not air Saturday afternoon, Sept 22nd. JNJ host BOB HOLDEN will be reuniting with band mates from The Bill Black Combo and performing Saturday evening at a festival out-of-town. But ..... Juke N' Jamm will return next Saturday, Sept 29th with all your favorite Memphis music. Stay tuned from 1pm - 5pm as hosts Bob Holden & Joe Terry will share a big announcement. Thank you all faithful listeners for supporting Juke N' Jamm.
Some interesting stuff involving the Stax Museum will be taking place over the next few weeks.
The Agricenter is honoring Stax's 50th anniversary by designing this year's corn maze in the shape of the Stax "snapping finger" logo. An aerial picture can be seen on Stax's website. Saturday, Sept 15th is the grand opening of the maze where visitors can manuver their way through the maze. Proceeds from this grand opening will benefit the Stax Music Academy. The maze will remain open throughout the month of September & October.
Coming up: Sept 22nd through November 26th, a new exhibit will be opening. "Stax Here And Now: Current Images Of The Stars Of Stax Records" showcases black-and-white & color photographs of legendary Stax Records artists and others from the Memphis soul scene. An opening reception will take place on Sunday, Sept 23 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres & soft drinks are available along with a cash bar.
Stax is offering special guided tours of the Stax Museum with Stax legend Wayne Jackson. Details on the website.
Check out what's going on with the Stax Museum of American Soul Music at www.soulsvilleusa.com.
Germantown will be celebrating its history by holding "HERITAGE DAY" from 3:00pm to 5:00pm this Saturday, Sept 15th at the Germantown Municipal Park located off Exeter, north of Farmington. Local residents can step back in time by watching demonstrators spin yarn, tell tall tales, and make a cobbler inside a kettle over an open fire. Tours of the refurbished John Gray House will also be included in the festivities. Following the festivities will be a "POPS IN THE PARK" concert with the Germantown Symphony performing at the Kiwanis Pavillion located at the park. Germantown High and Houston High choirs will also perform during the concert which starts at 6:00pm.
Going into its 46th year, GREEKFEST 2007 has returned to St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bartlett this Saturday, Sept 15th. Festival starts at 10:00am and continues all day until 8:00pm. Experience the Greek culture with delicious homemade food, traditional dancing, and great music. Live Greek music will be performed by Lazarus. Free admission and parking. Meal tickets are purchased at the door. St. George Greek Orthodox Church is located at 6984 U.S. 70 in Bartlett. Call (901) 388-5910 for more information.
MSA SINGER/SONGWRITER EVENT THIS SUNDAY
The Memphis Songwriters Association will be featured at the Old Millington Winery (6748 Old Millington Road) on Sunday, Sept 16th. From noon until 3:00pm, an Open Mic is offered to the public for individuals and/or groups are welcome to come and perform. Then, from 3:00pm until 6:00pm, the MSA special guest singer/songwriters will perform. Picnic baskets, lawn chairs, and blankets are allowed. Go to www.oldmillingtonwinery.com for directions. And, visit www.memphissongwriters.org to learn more about the MSA organization.
2007 COOPER-YOUNG FESTIVAL
The 20th annual COOPER-YOUNG FESTIVAL is taking place Saturday, Sept 15th from 9:00am to 7:00pm at the intersection of Cooper & Young streets in the heart of the Cooper-Young Historical District. Hosted by the Cooper-Young Business Assoc, this event has blossomed into one of the largest outdoor festivals in this area with up to 65,000 are expected to attend. Over 360 booths showcase the works from a variety of local merchants and artisans, and 17 bands perform on 3 stages. Lucero headlines the Main Stage at 5:15pm. For more information, go to www.cooperyoungfestival.com.
MEMPHIS LITERACY COUNCIL BOOK SALE
From MemphisFlyer.com:The Memphis Literacy Council's 8th Annual Preview Party & Book Sale is this Friday & Saturday, Sept 14th & 15th.The Preview Party is Friday, Sept 14th from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. With your $15 admission, you get first choice of over 5,000 new books and DVD's, as well as food, wine, and live music. The Book Sale is Saturday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and is free and open during the Cooper-Young Festival. The Memphis Literacy Council is located at 902 S. Cooper.Hardback Books: $5; Softbound Books: $3; Paperback Books: $1; Oversized Books: $7
For more information, please call 327-6000.
SATURDAY, SEPT 8TH - THERE'S A BIRTHDAY IN THE HOUSE!
Joe Terry and the staff of Juke N' Jamm would like to wish our host, BOB HOLDEN a very happy birthday today. He's ???????? 29 & holding? 39 & holding? Ah, we won't tell. You'll have to ask him yourself. But, we'll go ahead and place a call to the fire department just in case the alarm goes off when we light the candles. We can't believe one cake can hold so many! With tongue in cheek, you know we're kidding, right Bob? Seriously, we wish our favorite host a wonderful day today!
THE RECORDING ACADEMY HONORS
On Friday, Sept 7th, the Memphis Chapter of the Recording Academy will present The Recording Academy Honors 2007 award at a dinner celebration being held at the Cook Convention Center (255 N. Main St) in Downtown Memphis. Receiving this year's prestigious Honors Award will be Stax Records House Band Booker T. & The MG's, the legendary Memphis producer Willie Mitchell, and the Soul Queen of New Orleans Irma Thomas. All will be honored for demonstrating excellence and integrity in their work. In addition, music producer Knox Phillips will receive The Academy's Special Legacy Award acknowledging his contributions to the success of the Memphis Chapter and to the local music community. Presenters will include Joey DeFrancesco, Aaron Neville, Ann Peebles, John Prine, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Angie Stone. At 6:00pm, a cocktail hour and silent auction will start the evening and proceeds from the auction will benefit the ongoing music advocacy, education, and professional development programs presented by the Memphis Chapter of The Recording Academy. Tickets are available for Academy members and non-members. Call 901-525-1340 for ticket info. www.grammy.com/memphis
