Category Archives: Music

Mississippi Firsts in Original Rock ‘n’ Roll

Mississippi Firsts in Original Rock ‘n’ Roll by Johnny W. Sumrall Jr. Author of Classic Magnolia Rock History of Original Mississippi Rock ‘n’ Roll from 1953 – 1970 One of the first bands in the Mississippi Rock and Roll genre … Continue reading

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SPREADIN’ THE BLUES

SPREADIN’ THE BLUES By Deborah Fagan Carpenter Otha Turner’s Barn Their Mississippi roots run deep, and their Mississippi musical roots run even deeper. They’re the North Mississippi Allstars, and with a style heavily influenced by those roots, but uniquely their … Continue reading

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IT’S ABOUT EARLY ELVIS, PART I Mona Sides-Smith

Banner at Graceland…Memphis, TN 2015 Here is the first of a probable series of short pieces offering you snippets of information and confidently presented checklists for those readers who have current collections of Elvis tunes and want to update the … Continue reading

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The Time Machine by Tom Lawrence

    We have all experienced a sense of déjà vu triggered by some sensory stimuli. It could be the smell of burning leaves or the sound of a train moving through the night. Just for an instant, we are … Continue reading

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Rufus McKay: The Singer, The Person, My Friend (part 2) by William “Bill” Morris, Jr

Editor’s Note: This is a continuation of William “Bill” Morris’ article, “Rufus McKay: The Singer, The Person, My Friend”. Please continue reading after this article for a first-hand account of Mr. McKay’s funeral written by Bill Harvey. At Home in … Continue reading

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Rufus McKay: The Singer, The Person, My Friend by William “Bill” Morris, Jr.

  The Legend Begins Rufus McKay was first ushered into my life around 1954, when I was entering the seventh grade at Bailey Junior High in Jackson, Mississippi.  My classmates and I were learning to dance the Foxtrot, the Waltz, … Continue reading

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IT’S ALL ABOUT PIANO LESSONS by MONA SIDES-SMITH

MAY 6, 2014 I am a dropout from the senior citizens piano lessons class. I didn’t exactly drop out. I was dropped out. Not for my inability to learn how to play the piano, but for my ability to play … Continue reading

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Almost Famous—Hoppy Bennett and the Esquires by Johnny W. Sumrall Jr

In 1964 The Surgeon General of The United States issued a report stating that smoking is bad for you. James “Hoppy” Bennett took that as an opportunity to write a the song “Smoking is Bad for You”. Hoppy Bennett and … Continue reading

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Music, Food and Fun at the Old 280 Boogie by Mary Dawson

  Each year, thousands of people make the pilgrimage down Highway 280 to Auburn, Alabama for school and sport. Though it’s known for its dining and shopping in the Birmingham area, once you pass Childersburg there’s not much to catch … Continue reading

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Mississippi Fred McDowell – I do not play no rock’n’roll By Johnny W. Sumrall Jr

From the back cover of the album “Mississippi Fred McDowell…I do not play no rock’n’roll”  Fred introduces himself and his music with these words: ” My name is Fred McDowell. They call me Mississippi Fred McDowell. But my home’s in … Continue reading

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