Music-lovers traveled from all areas of the Shoals to Russellville July 25 to celebrate the W.C. Handy Festival with an Evening at the Roxy featuring The Great Pretenders.

Franklin County Arts and Humanities president Susie Malone said the Roxy sold almost 200 tickets, with money supporting the Historic Roxy Theatre. This year’s lineup included performers from across the region.

“That’s one of the things that’s great about the Roxy,” Malone said. “It’s a venue for local people to come and show their talent, whereas other times they probably wouldn’t have the chance to.”

Performers included Sydney Medley, Jayne Wells, Alissa Young, David Phillips, Jacob Green, Adam Green, Konner Bendall, Dana Hill, Meletha Walker, Danyelle Hillman, Kassidy Willis and Jacob McCarley, Blaze Bishop, Ashley Cummings, Leah Nix, Jeff Allen, Becky McDougal, Heather Carmack, Suzanne Wiggington, Gene Grubbs, Jimmie Rowe, Rick Mathis, Ronnie McDougal, Hudson Copeland, John Pilati and Buford Parker.

This is the 19th year the Roxy has hosted The Great Pretenders. Malone said some years she has to contact performers, but she said this year most performers contacted her for a spot in the lineup.

“It’s great to see people want to come out (and support the arts),” Malone said. “Music is really the common language. There are different languages of it, but it’s really something that no matter the language, everyone can understand.”