Rockin' Guitars
I first heard the Trans-Siberian Orchestra a few years ago, when one of its songs was set to strobing Christmas lights in a beer commercial (which I thought was rather ...
We All Loved Her
In the last couple of months, the music industry has taken quite a hit when it comes to obituaries. Hubert Smith, Howlin Wolf's guitarist, passed. We lost rapper Heavy D ...
The Man Behind The Music
Murph Caciedo is one face you might not recognize in public. This semi-shy, talented and friendly guy, while unknown to most Jacksonians, is arguably the hardest-working musician in the city.
No Sex in This City
A few years ago, I went on a journey to find my Mr. Right by going on 100 dates in a year. I blogged about each date, with plans to ...
Ring in the New Year
It's been a blast attending great parties and concerts, but I'm ready for the holiday hustle and bustle to be done and to get back to the normality of life. ...
Making Joyful Noises
Jackson comes alive when Christmas comes to town. With the Belhaven Singing Christmas Tree, Chimneyville Crafts Festival and several other local traditions, most people seem to get into the holiday ...
Blowing the Roof Off
Baby Jan Smith and Chalmers Davis joined forces in the spring after meeting and working with each other in the choir loft at Wells United Methodist Church. The two hit ...
Motorcar Man
If you've lived in the metro area for at least six months, then more than likely you've seen local singer/songwriter Larry Brewer's name pop up frequently in the JFP's music ...
Rockin' Halloween
I am so ready for Halloween this year. You may have had a hard time keeping up with all the ghoulish good times lined up for this weekend, so I've ...
Looking Back
Happy belated 9th birthday, JFP! I remember reading the very first Jackson Free Press when it came out in 2002 and falling in love with the music listings, the music ...
Back Roads of Righteousness
While The 484 South Band claims to have started in 2005, it really began 20-something years ago in the small paper-mill town of Monticello, Miss.
The Out-of-Towners
The month of September has started out as a barnburner for Jackson musicheads like me.
Festival Fall
As a teacher, I dread the beginning of school because of the whirlwind craziness. Thank goodness it only lasts for a couple of weeks. Then I'm in my routine, and ...
Mississippi and the Grammys
On Aug. 8 at Hal and Mal's, I had the chance to attend a meet-and-greet with the Memphis chapter of The Recording Academy, whose members decide who receives Grammy awards ...
Tales of a First-Grade Rocker
As my siblings and I were growing up, my daddy turned us on to The Statler Brothers, Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers and for balance, the gospel group The Happy ...
Awesome Music is Awesome Music
Jackson has been blessed with numerous concerts lately, and while I have in the past "wallered and hollered" about how we don't get enough national acts to come to the ...
The Healing Power of Music
Ten years ago, my world was forever changed when my ex-boyfriend decided if I didn't want to be with him, he would teach me a lesson by coming to my ...
A Rocker's Lament
I received a Facebook message the other day from a guy I'll call Rocker99. His letter was pretty critical, citing he never sees me at any shows in Jackson, or ...
To Request or Not to Request
So, here's what's on my mind: when is the right time to request songs at small concerts in an intimate setting, and is it appropriate to do so? Is it ...
For the State
As a former roller-derby queen, I admire those who've picked up the hobby and talent of skating, whether as an eight-wheeled mafia (aka roller-derby team), by inline skating or executing ...
Schoolhouse Rock
Many musicians here live an almost "Hannah Montana" lifestyle—going to school daily as a teacher, yet rocking the masses at night. I've been teaching 11 years in the Jackson metro ...
Get Your Art Out!
I've lived in Jackson for 11 years now. I love this city and all it has to offer. I've had many musicians ask me how to get gigs here, as ...
Don't Bogart That Gig, My Friend
Back in the fall, a musician friend of mine asked me to give him my contacts for different venues locally and statewide so that he could try to get some ...
The South And SXSW
Anna Kline is one busy girl. The Jackson singer, songwriter, writer and Crossroads Film Festival member also serves as special projects officer for the Mississippi Development Authority.
The Jackson Irish Blues
This week is spring break, but I'm busy preparing for the ton of fun and music going on this St. Paddy's Day weekend in Jackson, including the third largest St. ...
Musical Merrymaking
Mother Nature sure has spoiled me these last two weeks with gorgeous weather, and she's made my music-festival fever go into overdrive. I'm sure everyone has their calendars marked March ...
Delta Music
This past weekend, I attended Delta Night at Hal & Mal's, sponsored by Delta State University's Delta Music Institute. There is so much to know about the DMI. Open since ...
Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?
When ever I'm driving down to Hattiesburg for gigs, I always enjoy listening to the local radio stations. My favorite on the FM dial is Super Country 99.1. They play ...
It's Christmas, Pretty Baby
Christmas is here! Seeing the beautiful houses and downtown businesses in the city adorned with lights and hearing the "Merry Christmas, Jackson" compilation CD made by local bands has put ...
Make a Joyful Noise
Christmas is the season of giving (or re-gifting, for some), and musicians all over the state are playing Santa Claus, using their talents to help others during the holiday season. ...
Thank You
With the holidays coming at us like a freight train, I'm reflecting on all the things I'm thankful for in 2010.
Fussing and Cussing
Jackson is my boyfriend. I love this city. I've lived in Jackson for 11 years now and have met some of the finest people in the state. Among these mighty ...
[Natalies's Notes] Fly The Musical Freak Flag
The past two weekends, I let my musical freak flag fly by catching four great concerts.
Big Shoes to Fill
It was a Tuesday morning, and I was performing my daily morning ritual before I headed to work —checking e-mail and Facebook—when I received a message from my good friend, ...
Mississippi Music Live
It's "MTV Unplugged" meets "Inside the Actor's Studio" for musicians, hosted by self-proclaimed Hispanic Redneck, Pete Castorena, and his right-hand man, Bill Kehoe. It's "The Castorena Show"!
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