Jackson Free Press

Happy New Year to you music lovers, you!

If perfecting your musical craft is on your New Year's resolution list, Jackson has several opportunities for you to do so. The Enrichment Class series at Millsaps should be on your list of considerations. Jimmy Turner is teaching guitar; David Womack is teaching beginning songwriting; and Nash Noble is teaching pop classics. Check around with the kick-ass music stores around the Jackson metro area for their music-lesson schedules.

This month, Dreamtime Productions in Jackson hosts Nashville sound engineer Chris Mara and his "Tape Camp" for recording enthusiasts. Feel free to go to http://www.dreamtimeproductionsllc.com or e-mail Chris at {encode="[email protected]" title="[email protected]"} to learn more information about prices and schedules.

The 2011 Cotton District Arts Festival in Starkville is hosting a Songwriter's Competition and accepting all genres of music. All ages are welcome to apply. The deadline is Feb. 1. For more information, visit http://www.starkvillearts.org.

Kick 2011 off right by checking out DJ Phingaprint every Wednesday night at Poets II. Things start up around 9 p.m. The cover's on them, drinks are on you. On Jan. 4, Reed Pierce's hosts The Rainmakers at 9 p.m., no cover.

Jan. 5, expect to see Swing d' Paris at Underground 119 at 9 p.m., and Fenian's hosts Doug Frank.

Thursday is ladies night at Ole Tavern; Dreamz JXN hosts Centric Thursdays. Blaylock Photography in Fondren has Wooden Finger with Stone Jack Jones and Hands Off Cuba jamming out Jan. 6. The performance starts at 6:30 p.m., and there's a $5 suggested donation at the door.

Friday, Jan. 7, kick your weekend off right by getting your blues groove on during Downtown at Dusk at the Old Capital Green with Elvis impersonator Brandon Bennett. Local favorites The Taylor Hildebrand Trio, among others, also perform. Mill around from 5-8 p.m. for that (it's free), then check out brothers Judson and Joel Vance's band Rooster Blues at Martin's at 10 p.m. If you want to check them out prior to the show, visit their MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/theroosterblues.com.

When you're finished rooting on the marathon runners for the Mississippi Blues Marathon Saturday, Martin's hosts the Blues Marathon Show with The Bailey Brothers and Scott Albert Johnson at 7 p.m. Jimbo Mathus croons at Ole Tavern.

Chillax Sunday, Jan. 9, listening to the musical stylings of Howard Jones at The King Edward jazz brunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; or catch Knight Bruce at Sophia's in the Fairview Inn for brunch. You can also head over to Mike and Marty's weekly jam session at ToMara's.

Have a great week and remember, kids, send your music listings to {encode="[email protected]" title="[email protected]"}. Keep on rocking in the free world, Jackson!