Renowned Memphis blues musician, Preston Shannon, Southern soul musician Adrian Dickey, up and coming country sensation Ben Bradford and popular Memphis club band Twin Soul will be on tap for opening night of the Five Star City Fest on Friday, May 8, beginning at 6 p.m. in Gabbert Park, downtown Senatobia.
Entry to the event requires a $5 ticket. The Downtown Dash 5k kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Race participants receive free entry into the park.
Shannon, known as the “King of Beale Street,” is a powerful guitarist with a compelling and soulful voice that sounds like a cross between Otis Reading and Bobby Womak. He exemplifies the power of Southern deep soul- hoarse, gritty vocals, brassy arrangements and an emotional way with both party tunes and aching ballads. Shannon was born in Olive Branch and moved with his family to Memphis at age eight. His music is a blend of Southern soul and blues and his live shows are a mix of danceable, grooving tunes and slow, soulful ballads.
Dickey was born and raised in Tupelo and began playing bass guitar at an early age. In college, he was a studio and touring bassist who has worked with Sanders Bohlke and Alex Denzen of the Damnwells. He recorded his debut album, “Bless the Soul” at Tweed Studios in Oxford in 2013. Dickey has been playing in the greater Philadelphia area for the past year, but has returned home to Mississippi to record a new album this month.
Since his move to Nashville, Bradford has been recording and writing with some of the biggest talents in the industry. He has performed with many national touring acts, including Jake Owen, Chris Young, Jana Kramer, Florida Georgia Line, Frankie Ballard, Grace Potter and Colt Ford. The video for his first single, “Tequila Makes the World Go Round,” debuted on CMT and reached the #3 spot on the CMT PURE Charts in November 2014. He was named one of CMT’s Listen Up Artists for 2014. Bradford loves to connect with the audience and giving them a good time. “I like to get people up and laughing or crying or whatever, to provide an escape for them for a few hours. I love to see the smile on somebody’s face when they hear a song of mine and instantly start singing it with me. It’s all about getting the people to connect with what you’re doing,” Bradford said.
One of the most popular club bands in the Mid-South, Twin Soul brings a wide repertoire of hair-metal 80’s hits from Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and Poison as well as dance party favorites from the 70’s to today. The band is made up of veteran Memphis musicians who bring a great show each time.
The Friday night venue will host expanded food and beverage selections. Some of the offerings include the Coldwater Methodist Men’s Club BBQ, shrimp and crawfish plates from BT Shrimp, great selection of both name brand and craft beers. An ice cream and frozen drink vendor is also new this year. All proceeds go toward the restoration and revitalization of downtown Senatobia.
For more information, follow Five Star City Fest on Facebook or contact the Senatobia Main Street office at (662) 562-8715.
