By By Ida Brown/The Meridian Star
March 21, 2001
This year's Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival will feature three evenings of music reflecting the various styles of the "Father of Country Music."
The line-up was announced today at a press conference at Union Station Cajun rock n' bluesman Tab Benoit, country blues/mountain band Blue Mountain, the "honk-a-billy" ensemble Britt Gully and The Water Moccasins and Delta bluesman Greg Crowe.
The 2001 festival is slated for May 3-5.
Following tradition, Gospel Night is scheduled for May 3 at the Temple Theater and will feature Annie and Kelly McRae, 2nd Mile, Liberty Quartet, the Reed Brothers Band and the Gospel Echoes. Seating will be reserved with tickets available for $10 at box office two weeks prior to the show.
South Louisiana's Tab Benoit will be the headline performer May 4 in the Temple Theater ballroom. Benoit, whose songs have been featured on prime time television shows such as "Northern Exposure," "Melrose Place" and "Party of Five" will perform his unique brand of Cajun rock n' blues.
Blue Mountain also will take the stage that evening. The band is described as "the half-breed child of North Mississippi country blues and old mountain songs carried to Appalachia from the British Isles."
On May 5, Mississippi native and singer/songwriter Greg Crowe will be the lead act during a performance at the Temple ballroom. Described as "dirt road country at its best," Crowe's latest projects include a self-titled CD and the Tennessee Titan's official anthem.
Regional favorite Britt Gully and the Water Moccasins also will perform that evening. Gully's vocal style has been described as "an amalgam of Hank Williams and Waylon Jennings with portions of Earnest Tubb and Dwight Yoakam thrown in for texture."
Concerts on both nights will be $10, with general admission seating. Tickets may be purchased beginning April 9 at Good Vibrations, The Music Emporium, Sound Shop or the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau.
In addition to three nights of live musical entertainment, a talent competition for young people and adults will be held May 4 and 5 at Bonita Lakes Mall. Registration information is available by calling (800) 396-5882 or contacting Barbara Watson after 5 p.m. at 693-5054. Admission to the talent show is free.
The annual Jimmie Rodgers Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 3 at Briarwood County Club. Interested golfers should contact the club pro shop at 681-6185. The tournament will be a six-man scramble with a $500 entry fee per team.
For more information on the festival, call the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau at 482-8001 or (888) 868-7720.
Ida Brown is lifestyles editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail her at ibrown@meridianstar.com.