The 31st anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley is Saturday and Elvis fans and tribute artists will be out in force this week in Memphis, Tenn.
Last year, more than 70,000 Elvis fans gathered in Memphis to pay tribute to Presley. One of the events that celebrate his life is the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, the only such event sanctioned by Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises.
This year there are 22 semifinalists from 13 states and Canada, England and Australia. One is Jeff Barnes, of Evans, who qualified by winning the Viva Elvis and the Legends of Rock and Roll Elvis Tribute Artist contest earlier this year in Virginia Beach, Va.
He was to perform Wednesday. Final rounds are tonight. So, here's hoping last night was a good one for Mr. Barnes.
MUSICAL PICKS: The bluegrass festival season is in high gear. Here's a sampling:
- Armuchee Labor Day Festival ; Aug. 29-30, Armuchee, Ga., north of Rome; (706) 766-6352; no Web site.
- Bluegrass Music Convention ; Sept. 4-6; Hoboken, Ga., between Waycross and Brunswick in southeast Georgia; (912) 458-2365; http://www.twinoakspark.com/index_files/Page336.htm.
- Autumn Bluegrass Festival ; Sept. 11-13; Anderson, S.C.; (864) 356-3444; http://www.rudysbluegrass.com/
- Elijah Clark Fall Bluegrass Festival ; Sept. 19-20; Elijah Clark State Park, east of Lincolnton, Ga.; (706) 394-7444; http://www.gastateparks.org/net/calendar/details.aspx?s=153877. 0.0.5&dateid=285
ON THE ROAD: Georgia native and Capitol Records artist Luke Bryan's video Country Man is based on his new single. The Georgia Southern University graduate directed and filmed the video, which shows his life on the road and features a cameo by Dierks Bentley.
HUSH, PUPPY: Fans of the Millen, Ga., band The Hushpuppies will want to be at The Melting Point in Athens, Ga., at 8 p.m. Aug. 30 for the farewell appearance of Mitch Barefield. He is leaving the country-rock group after 10 years.
"To say that we will miss him is a definite understatement," noted band leader William "Tex" Cowart. "This life we lead is not an easy one at times, and to have been part of the same lineup for 10 years has truly been a blessing for all of us."
Taking over for Mr. Barefield as bass player is Jared "Stubby" Stubbs of Savannah, Ga.
HILLBILLY GOES SOLO: Chris "Abby" Abbondanza, formerly lead singer with the Pittsburgh, Pa.-based group PovertyNeck Hillbillies, has gone solo with the release of his single Promised Land , on independent Matchless Records. A full CD is due in November.
Don Rhodes has written about country music for 37 years. He can be reached at (706) 823-3214 or at don.rhodes@morris.com.
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