Three special performances have been planned, and you won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear great live music in Russellville at these free events this summer.
Saturday, June 28, the Russellville Blues season kicks off with the Gian Cage Band from Nashville, featuring Jerome Preston. The thumping of the bass on a James Brown song comes from the fingers of Jerome Preston, who performed with the Godfather of Soul for many years. Gian Cage not only sings the blues, but also sings gospel and even country. Guitarist Corey Mac was called “truly fantastic“ by Robert Plant.
On Friday, August 8, we’re bringing a veteran blues band from Chicago – the Maurice John Vaughn Band, to open the festivities of the Emancipation Weekend Celebration. They are recording artists for Alligator Records, and have been playing the blues since 1968. He’s toured with Luther Allison, Junior Wells and A C Reed, along with many other great blues bands.
Sept. 13, a Saturday, features Memphis blues artist, Redd Velvet, who has been tagged as the “Blues Angel” by the Memphis newspaper. After being trained as an opera singer and performing with the Clara Ward Singers, she realized that singing the blues and soul was her calling.
Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy summer evenings of entertainment on the lawns of the West Ky African American Heritage museums. Admission is free, and plenty of food and beverages will be available. Music begins as the sun sets.
These free concerts are funded by local businesses and individuals including BLUEGRASS CELLULAR, who is our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for the 6th year! Gold Event Sponsors are VENTRA PLASTICS and ROBEY FARMS, and R J CORMAN is a Silver Sponsor. Other business sponsors include U S Bank, Auburn Banking Company, Piggly-Wiggly, Riley White Drugs, Logan Telephone Coop, Logan Aluminum, Dr. Jim Dodson, Lewisburg Banking Company and First Southern National Bank.