Crawdaddy Jones to open for Delbert McClinton on May 11th!

Crawdaddy Jones, featuring Stevie Jones and Michael “Crawdaddy” Crawley; (Crawdaddy on harmonica and vocals, and Stevie Jones on acoustic guitar).

Stevie Jones (left) and Crawdaddy (right)

Michael “Crawdaddy” Crawley was born in Detroit, Michigan. His musical influences stem from his family, especially his father, Frank, and his grandmother.  Frank introduced Crawdaddy to the music of Nat King Cole, The Mills Brothers and The Ink Spots, as well as show tunes like “South Pacific,” “My Fair Lady” and “The Music Man.” Then one fateful day in 1964, he and millions of Americans saw the Beatles perform on the “Ed Sullivan Show” for the first time, which changed his musical life forever. Soon after he and his brother Brian began collecting all of the Beatles’ records they could find.

At the age of eight, Crawdaddy’s grandmother gave him his first harmonica (“Hohner’s Little Lady”), a gift from Hawaii where she once lived. It inspired him to learn his first Beatles song, “Love Me Do”, and pretty much from that point on Crawdaddy would always keep a harp in his pocket.

In 1972, while in high school, he joined his first band as lead singer with David Allen on guitar and drummer Bill Reyna called Ernie and the Neighborhood Gang. His cousin Kevin told him, “If you’re going to be a lead singer of a rock band you need to blow that harp once in a while.” So he took his advice, practicing constantly until he mastered the harp. 

Crawdaddy spent the year with various bands, some of which he formed, and had the privilege of playing with influencing artists. 

Crawdaddy moved to Knoxville, TN in 1991.

During those first few years in Knoxville he formed a band called Crawdaddy, which eventually morphed into the Macdaddies, playing clubs, parties and events and earning them the Best Blues band honors in 1994.

Crawdaddy’s first introduction to the world of Trop Rock was at Knoxville’s Tropic Festival in 1997, where he appeared with St. Somewhere, A1A and Greg Bridgewater. The next year he travelled to Key West with St. Somewhere for Meeting of the Minds, the official Convention for Parrot Heads in Paradise. Here he discovered Parrot Heads and their love of Trop Rock music. From 1998 to 2001 he joined St. Somewhere on the road, traveling all over the United States.

Thirty years after picking up his first harp, Crawdaddy continues the musical journey his grandmother began.  

You will be entertained by his harp as he opens for Delbert McClinton on May the 11th.

Delbert McClinton, Larry Raspberry, and Crawdaddy all on one stage for $39.50!  Get your tickets today at either Delbert.brownpapertickets.com, or at Duff Subaru and Roane Street Grill in Harriman, Tennessee.

Larry Raspberry (of "Keep On Dancing" fame) To Open For Delbert McClinton May 11th

Before Delbert McClinton hits the Princess Theatre stage on May 11, you'll be treated to the high energy of Larry Raspberry.  Cub Koda once described Larry this way, "On-stage, Larry Raspberry was a true dynamo, going back and forth between funky lead guitar and Jerry Lee Lewis-style piano pounding, all the while working the crowd like an evangelist full of spiritualistic fervor."

Larry Raspberry is a celebrated and consistent part of the American Music  scene representing a significant part of the Memphis Music heritage.  Larry is more active than ever as a performer, recording artist, public speaker, songwriter and producer of unique commissioned shows featuring some of the most famous rock and roll performers of the 60s, 70s, and 80s in his Rock For Real Revue.

Larry started by founding, leading and singing lead in the top ten hit record band The Gentrys (Keep On Dancing - #4 Billboard rock charts — MOM Records). The Gentrys were honored by the Memphis Music Foundation with a commemorative Note on Beale Street in 2012.

Following The Gentrys, Larry formed his band Larry Raspberry and The Highsteppers and recorded for Max Records, Mercury Records and Larry's labels Backroom Records and Intense Records.  He has 6 CDs in release at the present time with plans underway for 2 more CDs in the next 12 months.  Larry Raspberry and The Highsteppers were honored by the Memphis Music Foundation with a commemorative Note on Beale Street in 2015.

Larry Raspberry and The Highsteppers perform regularly to appreciative crowds and they continue to be known for their high energy on stage, for their wild abandon rock n roll and for Larry's original music.

Larry has distinguished himself as a songwriter. His music has been recorded by such creative artists as Jimmy Buffett (Dixie Diner), Carly Simon (Tired of Being Blonde), The Everly Brothers (Always Drive A Cadillac), Carl Perkins (Let's Get Upset), and more.

You get all this, and more*, for the price of one $39.50 ticket!

Tickets are going fast, so get yours now at either delbert.brownpapertickets.com, or at Duff Subaru and the Roane Street Grill in Harriman, Tennessee.  DO IT TODAY!

*See next post about Michael (Crawdaddy) Crawley, and Steve Jones!

The Coasters Coming September 8th!

The Princess Theatre Foundation Presents Charlie Brown’s COASTERS on Friday Sept. 8, 2017, at 7.pm, inside the beautifully restored Princess Theatre, downtown Harriman!

When you think of the most consistently successful comedy/novelty act performing from the mid-1950’s through today, the name of THE COASTERS immediately comes to mind.

THE COASTERS have placed almost 20 records on the national charts over the years.  The group enjoyed an unbroken chain of hits, each a million-seller, like ALONG CAME JONES, LITTLE EGYPT, POISON IVY, YAKETY YAK, CHARLIE BROWN, SEARCHIN’ and others.

Over the years they have toured with such giants as Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Richard, the Shirelles, the Drifters and many others.

Charlie Brown’s COASTERS are probably one of the few show groups in the business who really need no promotion.  And while the original members are no longer performing, Charlie has been a Coaster for over 45 years and is loved by audiences world-wide.

Charlie Brown’s Coasters continue to bring great music to audiences all over the world.  Their show is packed with your favorite good-time memory making hits from those happy times of yesterday!

Tickets will be sold at the door, at a price to be announced closer to September 8th!

Jason Eskridge Last Night At The Princess Theater In Harriman

Rockwood's own Jason Eskridge* played to a good crowd, including his mom, grandmother, aunt, and nephew, last night at the Princess. No one there enjoyed it more than his grandmother!

You can tell Jason loves lots of things; his God, his family, and his music.  He even wrote a love song that's really about music, not a woman, though if didn't know the story, you would never know the difference.

Lots of life's problems have kept me from the last two times he appeared on the Princess stage, but I was there last night.  Let me tell you...I was very impressed!  Jason sings beautifully, soulfully, and with lots of heart!

You will definitely have to catch his next show, and there will be a "next show"!  He told the audience he will keep bringing good music to the theater until they tell him to stop.  No one will ever do that!

He backed by band members Demarco Johnson (keys), Elijah Holt (drums), Richard Gallaher (guitar), and Mike Majett (bass).  The band is tight and plays with enthusiasm!

Featured first was Damien Horne from Nashville.  He really had a captivating style and the audience was very welcoming. Horne was raised in the projects in Hickory, North Carolina, one of 12 kids, but ended up on top, playing with country bands in Nashville.  He writes, and is a motivation speaker when not on stage.

Here are more photos from last night's performance:

"Jason Eskridge was born and grew up in Rockwood, TN. After high school he attended college at Tennessee Tech University where he played football and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. After college he accepted an engineering job in Huntsville, AL where he worked for approximately a year and a half. During that time Jason could never shake his passion to make music. So he packed up, left Huntsville, and moved to Nashville, TN where he currently resides with his family.

Jason’s desire as a musician is to create music that causes the listener to love God, love themselves, love their fellow man, think harder, think deeper, think broader, laugh until they cry, laugh when they want to cry, try something new, remember something old, and ultimately live life to the fullest."*

*Borrowed from: Sonicbids

https://www.sonicbids.com/band/jasoneskridge/

The Kingdom Heirs - January 19th!

Jan 19, 2017 - 07:00 PM

The Midtown First District Volunteer Firefighters invite you to their annual fundraiser with The Kingdom Heirs, live in concert. The Kingdom Heirs are synonymous with Southern Gospel, with multiple awards and even more faithful fans. Don’t miss out on their unique blend of harmony and numerous chart-topping hits when this East TN favorite comes to The Princess Theatre.

The standard ticket is $20 but there are limited seats for $15.

Contact -- 865-776-7683 or 865-882-3811, or pay at the door!

"Baby Boomer's Night Out" Starring Dennis Tufano & Peter Rivera

Tickets at Rocky Top General or at babyboomers.brownpapertickets.com

$15 for general admission or $25 for VIP "meet and greet"

The Grand Prees' "Last Dance" Became "The Big Dance"!

Fifty years of enjoying great music together came to an end last night as the "Grand Prees" took the stage at the Princess Theatre one last time.  The tight friends and tight music band began way back in 1965, and because life has taken them in different directions, the hometown group decided it was time to end it in a "Last Dance" concert for the fans that have enjoyed them for all this time.

Back Row: Parker O'Shell, Jim Barnes, Paul Hicks, Perry Hawn, and Jimbo Duncan
Front Row: Terry Barnes, Ray Pope, Robert Crabtree, Zach Williamson, and Jack Funari

A crowd of fans of over 400 packed into the Princess, spilling over into the balcony, to hear "their kind of music"; the kind only the "Grand Prees" can play!  They were welcomed and surprised by the old original "Beacon Drive In" sign blinking away to the left of the stage.  So many memories rushed forth and they could hardly wait until Chris Mason introduced Harriman's own "Grand Prees"!

However, long before the adoring fans arrived, the band gathered for next to the last time on stage to do their "sound check".  It wasn't until the last time, and deep into the second page of the lineup, that the band seemed to relax and be well with the fact this was the "last dance".

The brass section seemed to spread that feeling as they sat down and clapped to the music.  Their faces were all smiles as they seemed to realize that they had accomplished something few bands, or people, get to do; stay together for fifty years and remain friends.  

Every hometown has a local band, and some, like our community has had several over the years, but the Grand Prees seem to hold a special place in everyone's "Mayberry dreams"; at least to us "60's kind of people"!

Taking the stage, along with the Beacon sign flashing, the band brought great anticipation, and harkened me and the audience back to that special time in all our lives.  We were young, we were in love, and we wished it would have all remained frozen in time. 

For a time Saturday, time did stand still as the Grand Prees played those songs that made us nostalgic for the "good ol' days":  Black Magic Woman, Good Ol' Rock & Roll, Best of My Love, Mustang Sally, Let It Be Me, Fire On The Mountain, My Girl, and many, many more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slowly, the courage came back and couples made their way down front to dance; after all, that's what the night was all about.  Hopefully, we'll all have many more years of dancing, but we will most likely have to do it without the help of the Grand Prees.

 

Even the grand kids got into the act, on stage with granddads, and hopefully they will one day carry on the band tradition, and come back to the Princess to again entertain us.

Who said "Mike Franks" don't like rock'n roll?

Hi Betty Ann and Neena...love you ladies!

It was also a great night to comb the audience for familiar faces and to rekindle old friendships.  I saw many of mine as well, and couldn't resist embarrassing them by posting their photos here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So the band played on without ever leaving the stage; about two and half hours, I suspect, and the crowd wanted more.  Not only are these guys great musicians, they are "good people" too.  They seemed to be surprised at the reception they got and the applause they received, so just maybe, we will entice them back...just one more dance!

The Princess sure did look pretty Saturday.  I took this during "sound check" and loved the way the colors turned out.  Once in a while I hit it just right!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So then, the Grand Prees put on their lucky t-shirts and hit the stage with two hours of "sock hopping" music!  As I said earlier, they hit their comfort zone mid-way through the set and laid into the ol' familiar tunes.  I kept thinking and hoping that with the success they were having that they would begin to rethink their intent of leaving the stage forever.  There was a small hint that Terry Barnes let slip, "You will not see the Grand Prees in this form again."  Could that mean that at least some of them will return to the stage soon?

 

 

So long Jim and Terry, we thank you for taking a chance back in '65...it paid off for all of us.  You got to be the "rock stars" you dreamed of being, and we got thoroughly entertained!  It was truly a "win-win", and we wish you the very best in your retirement!

 

 

Before I totally forget it, let me mention Keith Howell; what a grand gesture he made.  He bought and donated this fine bass guitar to the Princess Foundation.  The bass, which includes all the Grand Prees signatures, will be hung in honor of the band at the Princess.  Next time you see him...thank him for all of us!

So, once again, on behalf of everyone there Saturday night, thank you Grand Prees for the memories!