MUSIC VENUES BRING ENTERTAINMENT TO ERIN

By TERESA SETTLE NORRIS
Tennessee Express News Writer
* If you were looking forward to the Navy band playing again this year in the Court Square after the Irish Parade, you were disappointed. Without an awning to keep their equipment dry, the Navy band tried but just couldn’t set up in the rain.
* Still, there were three other musical bands that entertained around town during the year’s IRISH DAY celebration.
* Set up in front of Regions Bank in downtown was a local bluegrass group called “Simple Tradition.”
* Houston County’s own banjo player Otis Kelly is a member, along with the following:
Don Fitzhugh, guitar; Jimmy Luffman, bass; Mason Nolen, mandolin; Dan Wallace, fiddle; and Ethan Luffman and Roy Baggett, guitar.
* Meanwhile, over at the Betsy Ligon Park Pavilion, Nashville coordinator Ginger Johnstone brought a plethora of musical accomplishments with her.
* The group “Southbound” entertained crowds with both bluegrass and gospel music.
* Members include Thomas Fry, Paul Connor, John Hagar, and Cecil and Judy McCreary.
* If you like Johnny Cash or Elvis, then you would have loved Ted Meek, also of Nashville. He sang solo in Erin, but he’s also a part of a Johnny Cash Tribute Band called “Far From Folsom.”
* Originally from Hanover, Virginia, his singing talents also include Frank Sinatra.
* And, speaking of bands, it would be remiss to not mention the great sounding Houston County High School Marching Band, who looked and sounded fantastic during the Irish Parade.
* Under the direction of Matt Whitt, the band is sounding better than ever. Look for them to bring home even more awards this year. They are definitely going places!Y