By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
May 18, 2001
The Meridian Unity Coalition will host the First Annual Mayfest 2001 Saturday at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center, bringing four recording blues artists to perform.
Imara Judah, promoter and coordinator for the event, said he expects about 3,000 people to pack in for the show.
Judah said he hopes to make the concert an annual event. Coalition members also hope to book additional events in the near future.
Recording artists for the event include established veteran Ronnie Lovejoy performing hits such as "Still Wasn't Me," up-and-coming local talent Billy Ray Cole and the Click with hits like "Wasp Nest," the Love Doctor performing songs such as his nationwide top blues hit "Slow Roll It," Carl Marshall, who performed his hits such as "A Woman Wants a Man" at a recent Mothers' Day blues show in Laurel, and Sir Charles Jones performing hits such as "Hang On" from his self-titled album, which is one of the top blues albums on the charts, Judah said.
The doors open at 5 p.m. Saturday. The concert starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $25 at the door, and can be purchased at J.J.'s Record Mart, O'Charley's Restaurant, All in One Barber and Beauty Salon and Siddiq's Fashion in Demopolis, Ala. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Care Lodge.
Barry Jenkins with SoundTech Entertainment will provide the sound reinforcement, and Doc Graham of 104.1 and Michael Starr of 105.7 will be emceeing. The artists' songs can be heard on 104.9, 104.1 and AM station 1290. For more information, call 553-0736.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.