Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration

05/07/2024

25/04/2024

Community Folksongs, our Arts in Education program is up and running. Stay tuned for more information.

11/04/2024

https://arts.alabama.gov/celebrate.html
Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration
Ol'Man RussellGulley

25/01/2024

We're excited to introduce the work of Kay Sasser Jacoby to Boom Town Makers Market! Mark your calendar for Thursday evening, February 8, to come meet Kay and see her artwork. Enjoy live music, refreshments, shopping with fellow art lovers, and chatting with our featured artists.

Kay graduated with advertising and art degrees from the University of Alabama and has held various art-related jobs in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Montgomery. In 2007, she and her husband Ray moved to Montgomery, where Kay served for four years as Community Arts Program Manager for the Alabama State Council on the Arts before retiring in 2021. "I paint in an intuitive style, never really knowing what’s going to emerge when I set out to create,” Kay said.

Come see all of our changes, and bring a friend! (You might even find a gift for your Valentine.)

Boom Town Makers Market is located at 324 Gault Ave. N. in downtown Fort Payne's historic Sawyer Building. Learn more by calling 256.273.6929, visit www.boomtownmakersmarket.org, or read our enews at conta.cc/3Hf0JbM.

See you on the 8th!






Fort Payne-Main Street Alabama
Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce

05/01/2024

We are so excited to celebrate our recipients of our business awards this year on January 30th. We are also excited to welcome Pierce Pettis, local singer, songwriter and storyteller.

Compass Records Group recording artist Pierce Pettis has been around the block a few times. An Alabama native, he began his career at the famous Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. Later, he contributed to Fast Folk Musical Magazine in New York, recorded for Windham Hill/High Street Records in Los Angeles, and spent a decade as a staff songwriter for Polygram and Universal Music Publishing in Nashville. His songs have been covered by Dion, Art Garfunkel, Garth Brooks and Joan Baez —as well as David Wilcox, Tim O'Brien, Dar Williams and Claire Lynch ... to name a few. His latest album, "Father's Son" was released by Compass in early 2019 to widespread critical praise. During the recent lockdown, Pierce has been busy writing and demoing dozens of new songs which he's now showcasing since full-time touring resumed.
For tickets visit www.fortpaynechamber.com

28/11/2023

Plan now, y'all! JUKE JOINT FESTIVAL & Related Events (as seen on 60 Minutes and PBS NewsHour) is coming Thurs-Sun, April 11-14 in 2024. LODGING ideas and more at JukeJointFestival.com. Saturday-night JJF Wristband pre-sales start January first on website. Can't wait till April to VISIT CLARKSDALE? Plan your blues pilgrimage now at VisitClarksdale.com. .com

19/10/2023

Hey folks. If you missed our Salt&Pepper broadcast last week featuring Eric Essix , it's now streaming at APT. Here's the link: check it out. As always Eric does a tremendous job and the band is exceptional. Can't wait for the new episodes being prepared for broadcast now.

Eric Essix performs.

15/09/2023

11/09/2023

Day 14. Was sure hoping to be home by now.DAG needs me, I need me, and more importantly Clarabelle and Bubbles need me.

I've gotten some exciting news for 2024 as well as for the Salt&Pepper APT broadcast series.

Oct. 12th at 9m, the Salt&Pepper returns for broadcast on APT. This program will feature the magic of Eric Essix .This edition simply blew my mind.

This link give you more info and a taste of what to expect Oct. 12th.

More broadcasts to follow featuring Debbie Bond , Pierce Pettis , Jerry Reeves, and more.

The Salt&Pepper is growing so stay tuned.
https://youtu.be/xWdzT1eHhGQ?si=0RiEcoBKR74Zosrj

20/08/2023

It's official....The Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration Season 8 production schedule is on hold till further notice.

Here's the official press release.

081823 S&P23.24
Press Release #1

Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration
Season 8 ON HOLD

For Immediate Release
Contact: Russell Gulley
256-845-0203 home office
727-308-8156 cell
Email: [email protected]

Fort Payne and Florence,Al.

As the Salt & Pepper Series completes the finale of SEASON 7, the entire season featuring performances by 7 nationally prominent roots artists, such as Eric Essix, Travis Wammack and Tinsley Ellis is now moving into post production.

With so much happening behind the scenes, it's hard to make it "official" that live productions scheduled for SEASON 8 starting January 2024 through July 2024 are now on hold indefinitely. The artists selected for the Season 8 productions include some of the regions finest roots artists and hopefully they can be rescheduled for a later date if the series returns to live production.

As producer/creator of the series, I'm finding that the process from developing a season, administrating, presenting production, and documenting, then post production for quality broadcast is quite time consuming along with all the other forms of documentation that we do as part of the Folklife process, such as interviews, articles, profiles, etc.

That process along with some serious personal health issues has made it essential that the producer
make this decision.

This past production of the Season 7 Finale, physically brought such issues to the surface along with the need to reexamine the Salt&Pepper process and maintenance before moving forward resuming live production.

Meanwhile, our S&P team has an upcoming APT Salt&Pepper broadcast being scheduled thats gonna blow your socks off. One that sets the highest standards for both audio and visual, a high standard to hold all of our following productions up to.

The Salt&Pepper current projects in post production are three regular series broadcasts (plus processing a collection for an additional season of broadcasts) and a documentary based on the
article titled "The Line" for TRIBUTARIES, the official journal of the Alabama Folklife Association, featuring one of our Muscle Shoals Icons, Mike O'Rear. Somewhere in there may be a book on the SALT&PEPPER featuring profiles written by acclaimed folklorist, Deb Boykin and even more waits on the horizon.
So there's alot of work to be celebrated that's been created by the Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration.

Funding from The Alabama Folklife Association and Exe.director Emily Blejwas has made possible the live recording of video and audio of the Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration performances.

Our APT debute can be seen at this link
https://aptv.org/watch/alabama-public-television-presents/salt-and-pepper-roots-music-celebration-featuring-bobby-rush-wz5c2o/

For information contact Russell Gulley at 727-308-8156 or [email protected]

Hear Grammy-winner Bobby Rush with guests Travis Wammack, DieDra Ruff and John Bull.

30/07/2023

I really appreciate the interview with Ken Shelton and HOT STUFF MAGAZINE.

If you've missed it this week during Handy, it's still in the some 200 locations across N.Alabama. Pick up your copy today.

Here's an excerpt:

Question #1: What was the defining moment you fell in love with music and knew you wanted to work in the music business?
☆☆☆☆☆

Answer: I've always loved music and started in church. Mom only allowed my brother and me to play in church. So my first real group to play in was a gospel group, "The Howell Family".

The session leader for their record sessions was Leon Rhodes, the guitarist for Earnest Tubb. At the session at Nugget Studios, Hendersonville , Rhodes complimented my bass playing by saying that he thought I could hold my own in Nashville.
That moral booster encouraged me to set my goal on being in the business for real.

AVAILABLE AT Counts Brothers , Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and 198 more places.

When you get your copy, comment where you got it. I'll work on a surprise for you.

28/07/2023

What a night last night was. I mean it surprised me, intrigued me, and moved me.

First, a Shoals native son, the Kirk Bowie Russell blossomed before my eyes. Or more maybe exploded.

I remember seeing Kirk as a kid, when as part of my field work for a Smithsonian project, I was interviewing Max Russell for an oral history. Normally, I'd have chosen someone older to interview to focus more the Heritage or history....I mean, that's what us old foggiesdo do, right?

When I accepted the assignment to conduct the study, the view for the assignment was MUSCLE SHOALS MUSIC AS HISTORY.

Well, Nancy Gonce at Music Preservation Society and the Alabama Folklife Association sponsored my work, which I was excited to do but the reason I included Max Russell in my list of interviews was I didn't see Muscle Shoals as history, in agreement with a statement from Patterson Hood, It's a living tradition.
I interviewed Max because, I knew all the Muscle Shoals Icons, but I'd not really talked with members of the current scene. The interview led to Max featured on Alabama Arts Radio Network. Been interesting just watching Max come along these years. Now to see Kirk and his progress, well that's living tradition.

Folks thought Muscle Shoals was dead, but I'm proud to have been at the forefront with a group of folks such as, Joey Brackner , Dick Cooper, Deb Boykin, Joyce Cauthen, Mary Allison Haynie , Bill Jernigan, telling the traditional world that we are alive. Yes WE are alive.

Last night I saw that living tradition live before my eyes.
Thank you Jimbo Mathus .I really didn't expect that.

Muscle Shoals has so so many layers and stories to be told. Back when I started studying folklife from a musician's perspective, I brought several of my audio documentary series to JJ.
He was a constant source of advice. I looked me in the eye and said ," this is important that you are doing this".
His encouragement to document and preserve was very important to me.

Appreciate the presence last night of Victoria, curator at the ALABAMA MUSIC HALL OF FAME, we all saw one of the traditions living stories. Jimmy's work to establish the Alabama Music Hall of Fame lives today. Thanks for all you do.

22/07/2023

Your Monday pick-me-up awaits! 🙌

22/07/2023

Folks. The Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration Season 7 Finale continues to be accessible to the community. That's why I've partnered with other organizations to keep admission fees affordable. With so many music events charging premium tix prices, you can hear top rated regional/national artists at discounted rates. Help us preserve the traditions for future generations and pass it on down. Get your discounted tickets online at SaltandPepperSeason7Finale.eventbrite.com. 0nly $10 for students and Sr. Citizens. Regular admission only $15. Sr.Citizen and student tix available only on line. Regular advance tix available at Counts Brothers , WZZA Radio , Muscle Shoals Sound Studio , Alabama Music Hall of Fame ( Victoria P Mitchell ) , Russell Mefford (Mefford Jewelers, ) and Gordon O. Glasscock (Ye Ole General Store). Don't wait. All advance sales end on the 26th. Tickets at the door will all be $20.00.

Help us Present,Document, Preserve, and Educate. It's all about "Celebrate the Heritage".

Dennis Keim Dennis Gulley James Counts Wayne Counts Wayne Chaney Debbie Dixon Debbie Wilson Dick Cooper Johnny Belews 60 Birthday Party Travis Wammack and The Snakeman Band special guest Jonell Mosser Mitzi-Travis Wammack Christine Ohlman Mike O'Rear Roberta Richardson Debi Smith Cochran Larry McMunn Victoria Hallman Traver Mary Carton Dave Gallaher Ben Flippo Emily Chambers Blejwas Alabama Folklife Association Jimbo Mathus Kirk Bowie Russell Maxwell D Russell Mike Mayhall Mary Allison Haynie Mary Mason Mary Ann Gresham Bob Corley Bob Garfrerick Randy Gulley Randy Bruce Deborah Boykin Mike Lawley Bruce Andrews

The Salt&Pepper is a quarterly music series presented on the 4th Thursday of Jan. Ap.July. and Oct.

18/07/2023

Season 7 of the Salt and Pepper brought some great talent to the Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration stage as we continued to study the roots music influence on the Muscle Shoals Music Industry's contributions to the American Soundtrack.

This season we have had the honor to present, document, and preserve interviews, performances, and the heritage of some very talented Roots Music artists.

Thanks to Sugar Harp ( Charles Burroughs ), Scooter Muse and Jil Chambless , Maxwell D Russell , Tinsley Ellis , Earl "Guitar" Williams , Mary Ann Gresham Mason, and Jimbo Mathus for bringing their talents and music to make Season 7 an extraordinary experience.

Come and be a part of this season's finale Celebration.
As we prepare to go into post production preparing these programs for broadcast, we have to thank all of our supporters, sponsors and partners for all you've done to make this season possible and looking forward to season 8.

Here's the link to get your tickets so join us. You'll be glad that you did.

Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration Season 7 Finale

12/07/2023

Thanks to an anonymous sponsor, two new discounted tickets have been added to our online Eventbrite Sales link.

Seniors (over 60) and Students (of any age) can purchase tickets for the July 27th presentation of the Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration for $10.00.

Presentation,
Documentation, Preservation,
Participation
Awareness (through arts in education)

So bring the students and experience the heritage and tradition of the Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration Season 7 Finale

12/07/2023

071123 S&P23.3 Press Release #3

Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration 22/23
Season 7 Finale

For Immediate Release
Contact: Russell Gulley
256-845-0203 home office
727-308-8156 cell
Email: [email protected]

Fort Payne and Florence,Al.

THE SALT AND PEPPER PRESENTS AMERICANA ARTIST JIMBO MATHUS AND THE SOUL OF MARY MASON IN SEASON FINALE

As the Salt & Pepper Series moves into the finale of SEASON 7, it is honored by the continued support of the Alabama State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

The music series is presented quarterly at UNA'S The Mane Room in partnership with The Music Preservation Society, the presenters of the annual W.C.Handy Festival, and The Alabama Folklife Association (AFA), a partner of the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA).

The series will bring to the Mane Room on July 27th at 7pm, the Blues-Based Americana sounds of Jimbo Mathus.

Mathus, having just completed a tour of Australia, is known for his roots oriented original music influenced by the traditional sounds of the 20s,30s, and 40s.

Best known as the frontman for the national touring act, the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Jimbo's performances are energetic, rhythmic, and stimulating showcases that have resulted in a national following that not only follows the Zippers but "the Wildman" Mathus himself.

The July 27th presentation will also feature Soul Singer, Mary Mason from here in the Shoals. Mason has a long history of performances, touring, and recording. A career filled with devotion to her craft has matured Mason as a true professional, in the studio and on venue stages.

Muscle Shoals musicians will be backing both Jimbo Mathus and Mary Mason on stage at the Mane Room. Members of local favorites, the band Tremaine and Salt&Pepper regular Max Russell and the Shakedown Kings will bring that Muscle Shoals Sound. The legend Ronnie Eades will be featured on sax.

Doors open at 6:00 pm. at The Mane Room with performances at 7:00 pm.

Tickets at the door will be $20.00. Advance tickets are available for $15.00 at Counts Brothers Music in Muscle Shoals, Ye Ole General Store in Florence, The Alabama Music Hall of Fame and WZZA Radio in Tuscumbia along with Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield,as well as Mefford Jewelers in Florence.Online advance tickets and discount bundles are available SaltandPepperSeason7Finale.eventbrite.com

Funding from The Alabama Folklife Association and Exe.director Emily Blejwas is making possible the live recording of video and audio of the July 27th performance. The recordings will be edited and mastered for broadcast.

Our APT debute can be seen at this link
https://aptv.org/watch/alabama-public-television-presents/salt-and-pepper-roots-music-celebration-featuring-bobby-rush-wz5c2o/

There will be only 200 seats available per performance. The event is family friendly and students are welcome.
In fact online special discounted Student and Sr. Citizen discount tickets are available for $10.00.

For information contact Russell Gulley at 727-308-8156 or [email protected]

The Salt and Pepper Roots Music Season 7 Finale Series features the BluesRock of Tinsley Ellis on April 27th and Jimbo Mathis on July 27th.

12/07/2023

Tune in tomorrow at 9am to WZZARADIO.COM Kirk Bowie Russell Mary Mason, and Dick Cooper will be talking with Tori Bailey about the upcoming SaltandPepperSeason7Finale.eventbrite.com. Get the lowdown then get your tickets now for July 27th at the Mane Room.

08/07/2023

This music game isn’t for the weak!!!
If you all knew the day by day struggles I (we) have to deal with to bring the world so much joy! Wow!!
There are days I feel like saying screw this then I think about all the joy it brings to others and I say it’s all worth it!! Today I salute all of my touring musicians. I wanna say hang in there. A Change is Gonna Come! Trouble don’t last always! Woe unto the oppressors!!

06/07/2023

Only 3 weeks till the Salt&Pepper returns to UNA'S Mane Room for our Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration Season 7 Finale

What's the Salt and Pepper?
Look here for some highlights
https://youtu.be/Eg7oaz23p0g

and then go on line or visit our local outlets, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Muscle Shoals Sound, Counts Brothers , Mefford Jewelers , and Ye Ole General Store in Florence.

https://youtu.be/Eg7oaz23p0g

This is a live music series from Florence, AL that brings Roots Music to the stage for live streaming and recording and editing for later display on-line/bro...

28/06/2023

Lots of folks have responded with inspiring positive comments about my post concerning plans to return to playing on stage again starting with the Eutaw Blackbelt Folk Roots Festival in August. I really appreciate the support.

I really don't have time to canvas my contacts looking for gig opportunities. My plate is already about full with planning and fundraising for an arts in education project titled "Community Folksongs" and of course The Salt and Pepper Roots Music Celebration Season 7 Finale . Along the way I'm working on my publishing catalog and a new partnership to help me exploit the new work.
All that being said, I will consider offers to perform solo and/or with a band.

So anyone interested, go to Russell Gulley artist on YouTube to hear selections from my last two releases. I'm planning two projects of original material to be recorded over the next 12 months or so, so I'm working hard to take advantage of the next few years while I'm feeling good. Course that takes funding so I'll just have to make it happen creatively and financially.

If anyone should think of me,(beginning to get a few calls) then send me a message to my email address: [email protected].

I appreciate all of you. Stay tuned.

Oh, see you at the Salt&Pepper July 27th with Jimbo Mathus . Better get your tickets online at SaltandPepperSeason7Finale.eventbrite.com.

You don't wanna miss it.

The Salt and Pepper Roots Music Season 7 Finale Series features the BluesRock of Tinsley Ellis on April 27th and Jimbo Mathis on July 27th.

20/06/2023

FLORENCE — Lauderdale County schools will be offering free meals to all students during the upcoming school year.