Jackson Free Press

Bill Ellison remembers the excitement and energy he felt when he played trombone in the band at Bailey Junior High School. That passion propelled him to spend his career performing and broadcasting music.

Last week Ellison, 56, received the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts for his contribution to the state's cultural heritage. Since 1992 Ellison has hosted "Grassroots," a Mississippi Public Broadcasting radio program dedicated to promoting the state's history of bluegrass, acoustic and folk music.

Ellison's title as interim executive director at the Mississippi Foundation for Public Broadcasting is just one his roles in the community. He books musical acts for the downtown venue Underground 119, bringing in musicians such as Jason Marsalis, The Rounders and Vasti Jackson. Ellison also plays guitar for the Bill and Temperance band during "Bluegrass Wednesdays" at the venue.

"When we first got started, we knew there were great musicians in the Jackson music scene," Ellison says. "The music scene has grown to be comparable to New Orleans and Memphis. People don't realize how great these musicians are."

Ellison, a Jackson native, graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in communications. He started his career working weekends as a broadcaster for former country music station WJXN. He has three children, two grandchildren and lives with his wife, Lynn, in Jackson.

Ellison says he is still reeling from receiving the governor's award last week.

"'Grassroots' is more than a radio show; it's a community. People all over the South and world listen to it," he says. "This is nothing to do with me, it's everything to do with this show. There are a lot of people responsible for putting it together, and it really deserved the award because it's an institution."

"Grassroots" airs every Saturday night on Mississippi Public Broadcasting at 8 p.m. For more information, visit MPB's Web site.