It’s Bluegrass Pickin’ Time: Harrison Crawford Festival
By John Gay
The high, lonesome strains of bluegrass music will ring out across the Mid-South June 13 -14 in Williston, Tenn., at the Harrison Crawford Memorial Bluegrass Festival, 30 miles east of Memphis.
The late Harrison Crawford had been hosting a bluegrass festival on his farm just off Hwy. 76 in Williston for a number of years and asked his family to continue to open the property for similar events. Crawford was a longtime fan of bluegrass music and musician, and loved to be around bluegrass musicians and fans. Crawford’s widow, Elizabeth Crawford, is carrying on the musical tradition.
The origins of bluegrass music can be traced to Bill Monroe, a recording star and a member of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years. Monroe synthesized the sounds of old- time string bands, blues, fiddle tunes from the British Isles, gospel, jazz, and ragtime into a new, hard-driving style of string band music.
The template for bluegrass bands to come was the 1946 version of Monroe’s band – the Bluegrass Boys. The band members included Lester Flatt on guitar and a very young banjo innovator – Earl Scruggs. In addition to the driving tempo on banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and bass, the music is also known for its high-flying harmony singing.
The festival runs from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, June 13, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 14 . Admission is $5 per person, and free for children under age 12.
In addition to live bluegrass music on stage, there will also be shade-tree jamming, a car show, and fishing for the kids in a nearby pond. Concessions will be available. Limited seating will be available, and you may bring lawn chairs. Also, there is a limited amount of rough camping space available.
Fourteen area bluegrass bands will be featured during the festival, including Bluegrass Conspiracy. Among the members of Bluegrass Conspiracy are Southaven residents Donna and Kevin Thompson. The Thompsons are transplants to Southaven from Indiana and have been involved in bluegrass music for a number of years. The couple met several years ago at the Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival in southern Indiana. Donna plays bass and Kevin plays guitar, and both provide vocals in the band. The Thompsons are also members of the Memphis Area Bluegrass Association and are excited about the festival and its future.
“We hope the festival will thrive and bring new fans and musicians to bluegrass music,” said Kevin.
“The festival will be a family-oriented event, and we hope to attract people from West Tennessee, North Mississippi, and eastern Arkansas,” added Donna.
John Gay is a member of the Memphis Area Bluegrass Association.
Originally published by John Gay Special to My Life .
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