By Staff
April 8, 2001
Special to The Star
An afternoon of music, art and drink will be featured during Meridian Museum of Art's first Beer, Blues &BBQ Festival.
Aimed to raise funds for the museum's exhibition and education programs, the event will be held April 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the museum.
The festival will feature an afternoon of the blues presented by Mr. Tone and the Blues-Funk Revival, food by Squealer's BBQ, and beer provided by Mitchell Distributing.
Also featured will be a special blues-themed art exhibit, featuring artwork by artists such as Pat Howse, Terry Cherry, John Marshall, Joey Horne and James Conner.
Festival tickets are $15 each and include a plate of barbecue with all of the sides, two drink tickets, a souvenir Beer, Blues &BBQ cup, and an afternoon of the blues. Tickets can be purchased at the museum or from any museum board member. Event sponsors include Mitchell Distributing, Perfect Promotions and Meridian Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Mr. Tone and the Blues-Funk Revival is recognized as a powerful rhythm and blues trio hailing from Meridian. The band is heavily in touch with their roots and tradition, but has taken those sounds and ideas, and meshed them with their own to create their brand of blues.
The Blues-Funk Revival has worked nonstop for three years, and the release of their first CD, TONE CITY, has been well received. The band is on the verge of their second CD release.
Mr. Tone has played numerous clubs and festivals, opening for artists such as Deborah Coleman, Kenny Neal, Mark May and the Agitators and Steve Forbert. Members have also shared the stage with artists such as Alan Dawson, B.B. King, Big Jack Johnson and Tab Benoit.
Mr. Tone's motto, "If it's got soul, we'll play it," has led to the band's
development of playing jazz, swing, soul, traditional, rock n roll, blues
and everything in between. Mr. Tone uses no set list and everything is always subject to change. The band feeds off of the energy in the room, thus creating a party atmosphere.
Meridian Museum of Art is located at the intersection of Seventh Street and 25th Avenue in downtown Meridian. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 693-1501.