Jackson Free Press

Katrina Relief Takes Center Stage in Vicksburg's Huge Music Celebration. With music students and professional musicians losing everything because of hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame did not stand by and watch. After its instrument replacement efforts all year, it is now reviving its canceled Mississippi Celebrates the Birthplace of America's Music event in Vicksburg to raise money for coast music programs and musicians.

Is this effort important? Tim Conway, Mel Tillis, and Tom Lester think so. They are lending their support by recording radio and TV spots about the celebration. In addition, they have offered to contribute part of the proceeds from their new DVD to Katrina relief.

With three days of concerts and over 25 of Mississippi's renowned performers, the Vicksburg music celebration will be the most comprehensive music event ever in Mississippi. A country/bluegrass review on Friday the 13th of October with headliner Carl Jackson and Tom Lester as emcee is scheduled. Other performers that evening include Bob Saxton, Rick McWilliams's band, Fred Knobloch, Mac MacAnally, Taylor Grocery Band, and Fox Fire bluegrass band.

On Saturday October 14th, at 1 p m, the celebration will kick off the Willie Dixon, Wang Dang Doodle Blues Festival and what a lineup! Pinetop Perkins, Super Chikan, Doug Deming band with "Fingers" Taylor, Eddie Taylor Band out of Chicago, Dorothy Moore, Vasti Jackson, Kenny Brown, and Lucille with the Vicksburg Blues Society band as hosts. All of this to be held at the Delta Point Overlook on Washington Street in Vicksburg.

That evening at 7:00, the hall of fame induction ceremony takes place at the Vicksburg Convention Center with a lineup of performers and inductees that would thrill any music lover. Ace Cannon, the Godfather of the saxophone, headlines the performers. Kicking off the program with legendary high energy bands are Andy Anderson's Original Rolling Stones and the Dawnbreakers In between these acts, Jim Weatherly will sing and talk about his writing of "Midnight Train To Georgia." Ben Shaw and Rufus McKay will salute the Red Tops. Gospel greats, the Williams Brothers will sing; and the winner of the statewide talent search will be announced and will perform.

The 2005 and 2006 slates of inductees into the hall of fame will be introduced. There's even more on Saturday. Workshops for teachers, those going into the music industry, and those involved in music site tourism will be held.

Finally, on Sunday, October 15th, starting at 3:00 p m at the convention center and for the first time on the same stage, the internationally famous Blackwoods of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and the world renowned Mississippi Mass Choir will perform. In fact, the Blackwoods are actually bringing three performing groups: the Blackwoods, Blackwood Brothers, and the Blackwood family.

Tickets for all events are $15.00 and are available at TicketMaster Outlets or by calling Ticketmaster to order by phone at 1-601-355-5252. For more information concerning tickets, please call the Vicksburg Convention Center 601.630.2929.