 Photo submitted Starkville’s Nash Street to headline Friday concert at East Mississippi Community College-Golden Triangle in Mayhew. By GWEN SISSON
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Nash Street traces its musical roots all the way back to grade school, before bluegrass became “cool” again, when a public school teacher in Starkville organized promising music students into a folk string band.
Some of the faces have changed over the years, and the band’s style has matured as new members folded their strengths into the mix. But over the years, Nash Street worked up to larger and more prominent venues – ultimately winning the 2008 Colgate Country Showdown at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Nash Street will perform many new songs from their latest album, including “Dirty Laundry,” a new summer song, “Honeysuckle Kiss,” and a new arrangement of “Carry On,” in addition to some of their favorites.
Cindy Melby, manager for the group, said Nash Street has performed in three Sucarnochee Revues and said everyone has a great time.
“There are a lot of cool musicians that participate in these Revues,” Melby said. “There is a lot of variety and they work to reflect a cross-section of the community.”
Melby said the event is very fast-paced and is recorded as a live performance for radio.
East Mississippi Community College will welcome the “Best New Act in Country Music” to the Lyceum auditorium on Friday, May 29, at 7 p.m. when Nash Street headlines a visit by the Sucarnochee Revue.
“The Sucarnochee Revue has performed for the last couple of years at EMCC’s Scooba campus, and we thought it was time to invite them to perform up in the northern end of the district,” said Dr. Paul Miller, vice president of EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus.
“The Revue’s line-up has something for everyone’s musical tastes. Beyond that, it gives people a chance to see a little bit of our campus – and proceeds from the concert will go toward EMCC’s tuition guarantee program, which enables qualifying students to attend EMCC tuition-free. To top it all off, one of the members of Nash Street, Jason Graham, is the son of Grady Graham, who teaches automotive technology here at EMCC, so we’re excited about that, too.”
Good years for the Revue
The last couple of years have been good for both Nash Street and the Sucarnochee Revue. The Revue is a nationally syndicated radio show highlighting music from the Black Belt region of Mississippi and Alabama. It is usually taped at the University of West Alabama, but founder Jacky “Jack” White also takes his act on the road.
The Sucarnochee Revue performed at EMCC’s Scooba campus for the first time in July 2007, when the show aired on 22 radio stations in eight states. By the next year, the Revue’s reach had extended to 35 stations in 10 states. Today, the Sucarnochee Revue can be heard on 60 stations in 13 states – including Mississippi Public Radio and Alabama Public Radio.
“My dream was about putting a spotlight on music and artists from this part of the world. When I started the Sucarnochee Revue, people thought I was crazier than I really was, but God had a little bit of a hand in it and here we are,” White said.
“We are thrilled to have Nash Street joining us at the Revue again. And we’re looking forward to a great crowd of loyal listeners and new friends at the Lyceum at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus.”
Sucarnochee line-up
In addition to Nash Street, the May 29 Sucarnochee Revue line-up at EMCC also includes:
Jacky “Jack” White: The host of the Sucarnochee Revue lives in Livingston, Ala. More than 100 of White’s songs have been recorded since his music starting hitting the charts in 1985. Artists who have recorded his songs include Ray Stevens, Charley Pride, Buddy Jewell, Steve Wariner, Neal McCoy, Carl Ray and Mark Lowery.
“Mississippi” Chris Sharp and the Jang-A-Lang String Band: Interweaving bluegrass, folk and blues, Chris Sharp of Porterville says he cut his teeth on Jimmie Rodgers records – singing on the porch in Meridian with Mrs. Elsie McWilliams, Rodgers’ aunt, and taking guitar lessons from Mrs. Virginia Shine, his cousin.
Britt Gully: A lifelong resident of Cow Creek in Kemper County, honkabilly Britt Gully is one of the most popular singer/bandleaders within a 60-mile radius of his home. He is also well-known as a songwriter and guitarist – and is considered one of the top interpreters of Jimmie Rodgers music in the world.
J. Burton Fuller: Born and raised in Emelle, Ala., Fuller has been known for years as one of Sumter County’s best singers and guitarists – and he is also a master woodcrafter. At the age of 69, he released his first CD with international distribution, “On a Sumter County Porch.”
Track 45: Parents Joel and Susie Johnson and children Jenna, K.K. and Benjamin are from Meridian. They play and sing a variety of musical styles – from folk and bluegrass to country and gospel, and are known for their three-part harmonies. Track 45 also takes its music into schools with “Diggin’ Our Roots,” an education program that traces Mississippi’s musical heritage.
Ada McGrevey: A singer all her life, Ada McGrevey works with Mississippi State University’s Therapeutic Writing Program. Her husband, Mike, is MSU’s vice president of finance and administration.
The MaHarreys: For more than 30 years, the MaHarreys Gospel Singers have traveled the country presenting music that spans a vast spectrum of styles, including Southern gospel, Christian country, praise and worship, and bluegrass. Its members are Paul and Judy MaHarrey, Daniel and Nancy MaHarrey, Clint and Cliff Spicer, and Scott Roberts.
William Michael Morgan: Young country singer William Michael Morgan has been performing since he was 5 years old. Influenced by Tim McGraw, George Jones, Charley Pride and Hank Williams Sr., Morgan performs throughout the Southeast.
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