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Carter, Earle to headline Flower Pickin’ Festival |
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Friday, 11 September 2009 |
SDN Staff Reports
Two singers with ties to the “Man in Black” will be headlining the third annual Johnny Cash Flower Pickin’ Festival.
Grammy-nominated Carlene Carter, daughter of Cash’s wife and companion June Carter Cash, and Justin Townes Earle, son of country and folk singer and long-time Cash friend Steve Earle, will be the headlining performers for this year’s festival, which is set for Oct. 16 to 18.
“Carlene and Justin both have the musical pedigree and personal connections to the stories we tell through this festival, and their performances here in Starkville the weekend of the festival will make everyone in Starkville want to pick a flower or two,” said festival director Robbie Ward on Thursday.
Cash was arrested in Starkville on May 11, 1965 after performing at Mississippi State University and a night of carousing at parties on campus and in the city. When authorities arrested cash for public drunkenness on private property, Cash said he was simply “pickin’ flowers.” He spent one night in jail and paid a $36 fine.
Arrested seven different places during his career, his night in the local slammer the only one Cash documented in song, the aptly-titled “Starkville City Jail.
Carter’s career dates back to 1978 and includes songs in country and Top 40 genres. She says she continues to resist limiting her singing and songwriting to those styles of music. Her most recent album, “Stronger,” was initially recorded in 2006 with her brother, John Carter Cash, and released on Yep Roc Records in March 2008 to critical acclaim.
Carter, in an interview with festival organizers, said she expects no trouble with the law during her upcoming visit to Starkville. Carter said she also has a point to make clear to the community.
“There should never be a law against picking flowers,” said Carter.
Earle’s father’s friendship with Cash is well-documented, particularly Cash’s loyalty to Steve Earle while he served a stint in prison related to illegal drugs.
Cash, who battled an amphetamine addiction much of his life, spent time speaking to a variety of groups about his struggles.
Justin Townes Earle — named after legendary musician Townes Van Zant — himself has battled addiction and has been clean for 5 years. He recently released his second album, “Midnight at the Movies,” and will perform an acoustic set at the Flower Pickin’ Festival, having recently returned from an Australian tour.
In addition to the musical performances, this year’s Flower Pickin’ Festival will feature a departure from previous years.
In the first two installments, Starkville and Oktibbeha County officials issued a symbolic pardon to the Cash family for his 1965 arrest. This year, it will be the other way around, with Cash’s family, friends and fans issuing their own symbolic pardon to the community, which will be accepted by Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman, an attorney by profession.
“We’ve pardoned them twice already,” said Wiseman on Thursday. “It’s time for Starkville to get a taste of forgiveness related to our city’s colorful past.”
The festival does not charge admission, though festival volunteers are posted at the entrance to the festival site in downtown Starkville to accept donations. All money given benefits local charities and organizations, with past recipients including the Starkville Boys and Girls Club and the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum.
Other performers and the schedule for the three-day festival will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.pardonjohnnycash.com or follow it on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/flowerpickin.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 September 2009 )
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