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Scheduled events include more than 30 hours of rockabilly
music on two stages featuring acts such as Bill Haley's original Comets who
performed on "Rock Around The Clock"; the Queen Of Rockabilly
Music, Wanda Jackson; world renowned saxophonist Ace Cannon; Narvel Felts;
Big Al Downing; former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Billy Burnette; Ray Walker
with The Jordanaires; D. J. Fontana, former drummer with Elvis Presley;
Stan Perkins son of Carl Perkins and many others. In addition to the legends of rockabilly music, there will be
a host of new acts including John Mueller with his tribute to Buddy Holly
and Travis LeDoyt with his tribute to Elvis Presley.
Maria Elena Holly, widow of Buddy Holly and Barbara Orbison,
widow of Roy Orbison will also be on hand to greet fans and talk about the
lives and careers of their great husbands.
Shelby Singleton, owner of the world famous Sun Record label will
host a private party for the artists and special guests on June 28.
Rockabilly Fest 2001 will be a hands-on event for the fans
that will give them the opportunity to meet and talk with the entertainers
and people who were instrumental in the development of rockabilly
music. There will also be displays of
rare collector's items and memorabilia for sale; performance and interview
videos by people like Brenda Lee and you can witness the last video-taped
interview with The Jordanaires before the death of Neal Matthews last year.
Also on the agenda will be an autograph party and celebrity
luncheon; bus tours to Graceland and Beale Street in Memphis; a music
performance school to be held at Lambuth University to help up-and-coming
acts learn about the music industry; an art exhibit depicting rockabilly
artists and related subject matter; classic car displays; and a
"World's Record Attempt" by having the most drummers playing one
song at one time.
A LITTLE HISTORY
Rockabilly is the term used to describe the
unique combination of early rock and roll and hillbilly music which became
popular in the early 50s thanks to acts like Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley,
and Bill Haley.
The International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame,
Inc. and Museum is the brainchild of Henry Harrison of Jackson. Harrison
felt it was appropriate for the museum to be in Jackson since the city is
the hometown of rockabilly star Carl Perkins and is located between Memphis
(home of rock and roll and blues) and Nashville (home of country and
hillbilly music). The museum will trace the history and highlights of
rockabilly music and feature rare memorabilia and photographs. The first
group of people were inducted to the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of
Fame at a ceremony in on April 15, 2000 and another group will be inducted
during this year's Rockabilly Fest 2001. A panel of rockabilly
artists and notables selected the inductees.
 The museum celebrated its birth and groundbreaking
ceremony during Rockabilly Fest 2000 on April 15, at an event that featured
concerts, celebrity appearances, historic videos and a dance with late 50s
dress style. There was live music from 12:00 noon to 1:00 a.m. on Friday
and Saturday, and from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Part of the historic part of the museum will
be videotaped interviews with the people who created the music. The
taping of these videos began on November 3, 1999 and to date include
interviews with Brenda Lee, Wanda Jackson, Bill Haley's Original Comets,
The Jordanaires, Ace Cannon, Maria Elena Holly (Widow of Buddy
Holly), Tommy Allsup (One of Buddy Holly's Cricke ts), D.J. Fontana (Elvis Presley's first drummer)
Shelby Singleton (Current owner of Sun Recording Studios who worked with
Sam Phillips at the original Sun Studio) Bob Moore, bass guitarist who
played on a number of rockabilly hits; Bill Griggs, music historian and
expert on rockabilly music; and rockabilly author Billy Poore. Most
of the videos were shot at the Sun Recording Studio offices in Nashville by
Jackson television station WBBJ, an ABC affiliate.
Visitors are expected from all over
the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia.
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