Thacker Mountain Radio Set To Kick Off Double Decker Arts Festival Friday

The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour kicks off the Double Decker Arts Festival this Friday, April 28, at 7 p.m. on the North Lamar stage at 300 N Lamar Blvd.

A pre-show concert by veteran bluesman Jimmy “Duck” Holmes begins at 6 p.m. followed by a live performance of The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour at 7 p.m. The Friday night line-up wraps up with a high-energy set by Nashville blues/rockers, Muddy Magnolias, at 8 p.m. Admission is free, and the public is invited. Lawn chairs are encouraged but no coolers, please.
The 7 p.m. Thacker Hour will feature Holmes and Muddy Magnolias as well as an interview with country music historian, Peter Cooper.

The Muddy Magnolias are a soulful indie rock band based in Nashville formed in 2014 by songwriters, Jessy Wilson and Kallie North. Their songs reflect Wilson’s Brooklyn roots and North’s Texas/ Mississippi background. Their debut album, “Broken People (2016),” addresses social issues and “heals the spirit while retaining cool sophistication,” (NPR). The Magnolias have toured extensively, including a memorable show last year at Proud Larry’s. “Rolling Stone” describes their music as “thrillingly organic blend of Seventies funk, seductive R&B, country roots and soul-searing gospel.”

Jimmy “Duck” Holmes is the last living practitioner of the celebrated style of “Bentonia blues” made famous by Skip James and Jack Owens. In addition, Holmes operates what is arguably the oldest juke joint left in Mississippi, the Blue Front Café, and is the organizer of one of the longest-running festivals in the state – the Bentonia Blues Festival. Holmes’ latest CD is “It Is What It Is.” Holmes’ manager is Oxford resident and veteran blues promoter/photographer, Dick Waterman.

Peter’s Cooper’s entertaining new book is “Johnny’s Cash & Charley’s Pride: Lasting Legends and Untold Adventures in Country Music (Spring House Press).” Cooper is Director of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a senior lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. A Grammy-nominated songwriter and former bassist for Loretta Lynn, his friendships stretch from Waylon Jennings to Taylor Swift; from the late Merle Haggard to Dierks Bentley. One hilarious essay describes his introducing the Grateful Dead’s Robert Hunter to Porter Wagoner. Acclaimed music author Peter Guralnick says, “There’s a gem on every page. You’re in for a treat.”
The radio show is hosted by Jim Dees and the Thacker house band, the Yalobushwhackers, including Paul Tate (guitar), Wallace Lester (drums), Slade Lewis (bass) and Mark Yacovone (piano).
The Thacker Hour will be broadcast locally on WUMS 92.1 FM and streamed online at: https://www.myrebelradio.com/.
Friday’s show marks the last live Thacker performance in Oxford until fall. The show hits the road for a series of out-of-town summer dates beginning in June. The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour can be heard every Saturday at 7 p.m. on Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB).
For more information on summer shows and MPB schedule visit: https://thackermountain.com/.

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