Memphis is coming to Russellville!
Russellville Blues is bringing the sounds of Memphis to Russellville and will present free concerts on Saturday, June 25, and Friday, Aug. 5, as part of the Mary Ann Fisher Summer Concert Series.
Redd Velvet will perform on June 25 with special guests William Howse (harmonica) and Kenny Lee (guitar). Redd is a classically trained opera singer who has been called the best thing about the blues in years. She will take the audience on a journey that goes from the church to the jukejoint in an electrifying, intoxicating and even spiritual journey.
Southern Avenue, a finalist in this year’s International Blues Competition, will perform on Aug. 5 as part of the annual 8th of August Emancipation Celebration Weekend. The band combines masterful musicianship and powerhouse vocals and will present a high energy show. Considered by many to be the future of the blues, reviewers feel that their sound represents the ideal of coming together in music, spirit and the love of life.
The concerts will be held on the grounds of the African American Heritage Museums at the corner of Sixth and Morgan Streets in Russellville, and admission will be free to the museums during the weekends. Plenty of food and beverages will be available during the events, and guests to the concerts are encouraged to bring a lawn chair for the shows that will begin around 7:30 pm.
The Platinum Presenting Sponsor for the concerts is Bluegrass Cellular. Event Sponsors are R J Corman, WRUS, Robey Farms, Lewisburg Banking Company, Auburn Banking Company, Riley-White Drugs and Barrow Eye Center. Several other local businesses and individuals are financial supporters of these community events.
For more information, visit www.russellvilleblues.com or the Russellville Blues Facebook page.