Shannon Street Music Festival 2013

We had a great time at the  Shannon Street Music Festival in Jackson, Tennessee. It's the first time I've ever played there although I worked at WBBJ-TV in Jackson from 1983-1989, after working in radio near Jackson from 19-82 to 1983.

The Festival was moved indoors to the Oman Arena because of the threat of storms, but in a way that was kinda cool!  I'd been to the arena many times over the years to see concerts and sporting events.  I was pleasantly surprised the arena, which used to be called the Jackson Coliseum, was in great shape!  Brought back a lot of memories!  Wes Henley and the sound crew did an unbelievable job moving everything from the court square to the arena and getting it set up in the time for the show, and the sound was really good!

with John Kilzer

It was great to see so many old friends and catch up, then watch the other acts including Carl Mann, a Sun Records alum, and later Jackson's own John Kilzer, who I'd met years earlier while working a Carl Perkins Center Telethon at WBBJ and seen perform several times years ago.

with old friend Rich Schodel

I think they guys enjoyed taking the little trip down to my neck of the woods, too...here's the video of the trip...

3 Festivals, 3 States Up Next

The next few weeks should be a lot of fun with festivals in 3 states!  We'll start Friday afternoon at the Lowertown Art and Music Festival in Paducah, KY. We've played this one several times before and it's really unique festival. Local artists display their works in Paducah's Historic Lowertown Art District and the streets are blocked off so everyone can walk around and check out the artwork, food and music.  There are 2 stages with continuous live music.  I'll be playing Friday afternoon at 4PM on the main stage. Later that evening, my friends Blue Mother Tupelo will play, and after them, my old friend, Col JD Wilkes and his band, The Dirt Daubers!  I'm making plans to stick around after my set to catch theirs!

The following weekend, Memorial Day Weekend, we'll travel to Murphysboro, Illinois for the Riverside Art and Wine Festival held at Riverside Park. We played this one last year and it's a wonderful setting and a wonderful festival.  Several of Southern Illinois' award winning wineries will be there with wine tastings and of course for sale. For those who prefer beer, they'll have a beer tent this year, too, along with many vendors displaying and selling a wide variety of food and other items.  We had a great time there last year! (click on the picture for a larger view of the poster)

After a stop at the McCracken County Relay for Life Friday night, May 31, we'll travel to Jackson, Tennessee Saturday, June 1st for the Shannon Street MusicFest (formerly known as the Shannon Street Blues Festival). We'll play at 7PM that night.  The headliner will be John Kilzer, a Jackson native who scored with several big hits in the 80s, including "Memory in the Making" and "Red Blue Jeans."  I actually met John years ago while working at the Carl Perkins Child Abuse Prevention Center Telethon on WBBJ-TV in Jackson.  For those who really want to travel in the way back machine, I did weather and sports for WBBJ-TV in Jackson from 1983 to 1989, so it'll be a special homecoming of sorts. I've already heard from several friends there, so I can't wait to get back to see them and play for them!

June 11th at the Carson Center in Paducah, I'll be "opening" for Huey Lewis and the News. Actually I'm playing a private party at the Carson Center  to benefit the Paducah Symphony and also to get them revved up for Huey Lewis.  I'm not sure if there are tickets available for this or not, but I do know, last I heard, there were very few tickets left for Huey Lewis.  Weather permitting, I think the party will be on the 2nd floor outdoor patio for the party, so if you arrive early for the concert and are waiting outside, at least I can serenade ya!

We'll finish out June at Metropolis, Illinois at the Blues and Ques Festival.  Love the BBQ Festivals, and love Metropolis. In case you don't know, it's the home of Superman along with being a very cool town. If you've never done it, you should go through the Superman Museum and the Hollywood Museum there.  Some very cool stuff.  This is my favorite time of the year! I love getting out to play the festivals, make new friends, and also see other bands play!  We'll see you down the road!

Show Friday Night Cancelled!

Sad to report that due to weather and high water, our show Friday night at Buzzard Rock Resort on Lake Barkley has been cancelled!  It may or may not be made up later, but we still have several appearances scheduled for Buzzard Rock later this summer!  Hope to see you there!

Return To Jackson, TN

Always look forward to playing in my home state of Tennessee, but this one's gonna be special!  We'll be playing at the Shannon Street Music Fest in Jackson, TN, Saturday June 1st.  Before moving to Kentucky in 1989, I worked in the Jackson area from 1982 to 1989, first at WZDQ from 1982-83 and then at WBBJ-TV from 1983-1989.

1986

1988

I had a great time there.  I got to meet and hang out with one of my musical heros, Carl Perkins on several occasions.  I'll always remember working a telethon for the Carl Perkins Child Abuse Prevention Center one year, and getting to hang out with both Carl, and another of my favorite singer/songwriters, John Kilzer, who had made a name for himself, first in Memphis and then on the national scene with his great songs.

Funny thing is, I'll actually be opening for John Kilzer this trip.  Kilzer has been through a lot, too so I know he won't remember me, but I so look forward to his show.

I also look forward to seeing so many old friends, who I haven't seen in years.  As for my show, I will do what I do, and I will do my best.  I've changed a lot since then, but my love for West Tennessee and it's people remains steadfast.

Oh yeah.....it looks like our old pal, Col JD Wilkes will be joining us in Jackson.  Oh my..... get ready. Jackson.

New Dates Added: Murphysboro, Metropolis, IL, more...

We've added some new dates! We're booked at the Blues and Ques Festival in Metropolis, IL at Ft Massac State Park, Saturday June 29th at 7PM, and also at the Celebrate America Event at Four Rivers Harley Davidson in Paducah, KY Saturday July 6th.   Here's our latest schedule.  We could also have a major announcement soon about another Blues Festival so stay tuned!

Juke Joint Festival 2013

This was our 4th year to play at the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, MS.  It's turned into a very special trip for us each year.  It's a chance to see old friends, and make new ones.  It's a chance to reconnect with the Blues at it's heart.  And it's so much more.

The Juke Joint Festival is a truly great festival on many levels.  It features the "real deal" Blues players in a "real deal" setting....the authentic Mississippi juke joints.  This draws blues fans from around the nation and even overseas.  It also features a lot of family type activities, so as the old saying goes, there truly is someting for everyone.  For the Blues fan, Robert Belfour, and for the kids, the racing pigs and monkey's riding dogs. (They're a real hoot, by the way....even for the Blues fans...).

The important part of this festival is the celebration of the Blues masters because every year, sadly, there are fewer of them, and even this year, there were a few performers from the past who because of their health, were unable to perform this year, and we can only pray their health improves in the coming year.

We played again this year at the Delta Amusement Cafe, a quaint "joint" near Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Blues Club in downtown Clarksdale.  We reconnected with some old friends, such as The Beat Daddies, Blue Mother Tupelo, Tom from Florida, Elizabeth and William from Birmingham, AL, Joy from Paducah, Lanette from Evansville, IN and more!

With Tom from Florida

With Tommy Stillwell and Larry Grisham from The Beat Daddys

With William and Elizabeth from Birmingham, AL

 We played a nice gig, the highlight of which was Rip Lee Pryor joining us for a number.  Rip Lee is the son the legendary Snooky Pryor, who was my mentor in the Blues.  Snooky and I often talked about playing together, but for one reason or another, we never made it happen.  That's why it was so cool for Rip to join us.  Of course, I'd known Rip for years but also, for one reason or another, we'd never had the chance to play together either.  He dropped by after his set, harmonica in hand, and we launched into Snooky's "How'd You Learn to Shake It Like That."  Rip's eyes lit up and we took off!

Here's a short video clip!

I'll try to post more soon from our wonderful trip to the Juke Joint Festival!

Lew For Bonnaroo?

Well.....that's what we're hoping for!  The boys and I are entered to play at the music festival through one of 2 ways:

1.  We are entered for consideration for one of 8 slots through SonicBids to play at the festival.

2. SonicBids is also having a contest, where fans can vote on who they would like to see at Bonnaroo, with Bonnaroo choosing 2 of the top 10 vote getters.  We are entered in this, too.

Playing Bonnaroo would be a real hoot since I'm a native Tennessean and also went to college just down the road at Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, TN.  We have appeared at numerous festivals over the years, including some of the top Blues festivals in the nation.  Bonnaroo would be a great experience though, for us, and I'm sure, for some of the fans who have never been exposed to the original high energy style of Blues we play, especially, live.

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Lew Jetton & 61 South