JRMF attracts younger generation

By Staff
LOCAL MUSICIAN Steve Forbert performs for a large crowd Friday night during the Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival at Singing Brakeman Park. Photo by Paula Merritt / The Meridian Star
By Chris Allen Baker / staff writer
May 11, 2002
Casey Mars didn't know what to expect when she decided to attend a Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival concert Friday night but she'll be back for more.
Mars is part of a younger generation learning to appreciate country music and the legacy of Jimmie Rodgers during a three-day festival that concludes tonight in Meridian.
Friday night's concert included an opening performance by Britt Gully, a local musician who impersonates the Singing Brakeman. As he sang, several members of the audience joined in as best they could and a few even danced young and old alike.
Steve Forbert, also a Meridian native, entertained a crowd of about 200 with selections from his CDs.
The Mississippi All-Stars was the closing act of the night and one of the reasons 18-year-old Brandon Carlisle made the trip from Butler, Ala.
Debbie Moulds, a Meridian native, said she thinks the festival is on the upswing and is attracting the younger generation.
Pam Prather of Meridian said moving the concert outside this year was a good idea.
Mars said her only regret was that she forgot to bring a chair.

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