Musicians and artists will join together Tuesday in the newly renovated auditorium of Lee Hall as part of “Mississippi’s Best” Grassroots Entertainment.Beginning at 6 p.m., the free art show and concert will feature seven regional artists exhibiting different mediums of art followed by seven musicians ranging in the styles of bluegrass, gospel, country, jazz and blues.
“Our hope is that on hearing and seeing artists perform regional music at a skill level of excellence, local novice musicians could be inspired to work toward advancement in their own musical skills and could be provided with an outlet for self-expression,” said program director Cindy Melby. “This performance event should encourage musicians to network with others to form new musical relationships, gather collectively to create music and thus develop a relationship among diverse groups. We hope to draw people to this show from our region of the state, not just Starkville.”
Mississippi native and celebrity guest star Jeff Bates will perform and emcee the show. Specializing in country music, Bates now lives in Nashville, Tenn. Two of his hit songs are “One More Second Chance” and “Long, Slow Kisses.” Melby gave a laugh as she said she was almost confident Bates would play “My Mississippi” during his performance.
The seven artists are as follows: Brent Funderburk (watercolor); Robert Long (ceramics); Andrew Lark (oil/realist); Tommy Thurman (landscape); Amy Richardson (gourds); Leland James (wood carver); and L.V. Hull (primitive art).
“Funderburk, a longtime professor of art at MSU, works miracles with watercolor paints – gorgeous by any standard, both technically and aesthetically,” Melby said. “Nature is his central form with all of its mysterious and spiritual riddles.”
Robert Long, another professor at MSU, has been teaching ceramics for more than 16 years. His earthy and unique pottery has been shown around the world including Japan, New York and Washington, D.C.
The seven musical acts include Nash Street (contemporary bluegrass), Larry Wallace Band (traditional bluegrass), Charlie Worsham (variety), Annie Caldwell and the Caldwells (gospel), Brice Miller (jazz), Jesse Robinson (blues) and Jeff Bates (country).
Starkville’s own young and energetic group, Nash Street, will host the show. They’ve had the opportunity to open for big acts such as Tim McGraw, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Faith Hill and Cherryholmes.
Hailing from the Delta, Jesse Robinson will also take the stage. Initially taught by his father, Robinson reached his success by recording, writing and teaching music. He has performed and toured with well-known artists such as B.B. King, ZZ Hill and Elmore James.
Another musician, 21-year-old college student Charlie Worsham will perform a solo act.
“He’s just an incredible musician – playing every instrument to perfection,” Melby said. “The only way to describe him is really, really cool. A graduate of Berkeley, he kinda makes me think of John Mayer.”
“Mississippi’s Best” Grassroots Entertainment is supported in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission and in part from the National Endowment for the Arts. Several other local sponsors helped out with the event.
“The goal of this organization is to celebrate the historical music of our heritage by bringing the best vocal and instrumental performing artists, regional graphic artists and sculptural artists together for a performance,” Melby said. “A venue such as this, will provide outstanding performing artists in this region an opportunity to perform while making available an affordable concert of excellent, inspirational, and regional music to the area.