SOUNDS AND SIGHTS
Crank up the volume of Arkansas’ music history
The state of Arkansas is filled with beautiful scenery, from the Delta to the mountains, and along with that scenery, there are many places to check out some great music. From folk favorites to rock ’n’ roll, here are a few places to check out to take in the sounds of Arkansas.
JOHNNY CASH
Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famer Johnny Cash has a deep connection to the state of Arkansas. Born in Kingsland in Cleveland County and raised in Dyess in Mississippi County, “The Man in Black” had a decades-long career blending country, rock and the blues. Music fans can visit his boyhood home at the Historic Dyess Colony. Guests can learn the history of the colony, which was created as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, see informative exhibits about Cash and much more. Cash was also recently honored by the state legislation and governor. In April, Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed into law Act 581, which will replace statues in the National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington with statues of Cash and civil-rights activist Daisy Gatson Bates. “We’re especially honored that a statue of my dad has been chosen to represent Arkansas in our nation’s Capitol,” Rosanne Cash said during the event. “It’s made even more special by the fact that he will be sharing this honor with Daisy Bates. She was a true humanitarian whose commitment to social justice, to civil rights, is unparalleled.”
KING BISCUIT BLUES FESTIVAL
Each fall, thousands of blues fans flock to Helena/ West Helena for the King Biscuit Blues Festival. This four-day event draws some of the biggest names in music to celebrate a true American art form. This year’s event, which will take place Oct. 9-12, features guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Delbert McClinton, Ruthie Foster and more. While in Helena, guests can visit the Delta Cultural Center, which is home to the King Biscuit Time radio show. This long-running radio show was an important part of the heritage of blues music in the South. The Cultural Center also has a number of exhibits that highlight the importance of the blues to the region.
ARKANSAS ENTERTAINERS HALL OF FAME
Located in Pine Bluff, the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame highlights the careers of a variety of Arkansans in the entertainment industry. The Hall of Fame has memorabilia from stars such as Glen Campbell, Al Green, Tracy Lawrence and more. It also recently added an animatronic statue of Johnny Cash.
MUSICFEST EL DORADO
MusicFest El Dorado has become one of the state’s premier music festivals in the past few years. Presented by the Murphy Arts District, this festival is a weekend-long event filled with music, food and more. Previous acts have included 2 Chainz, Sammy Hagar and the Circle, Toby Keith and others. For more information, visit www.musicfesteldorado.com. HOT SPRINGS The city of Hot Springs is known for its relaxing spas and natural heat, but the city is also home to hot music. The city hosts a variety of musical events each year that showcase local and regional musicians in several genres. The Spa City Blues Society’s Hot Springs Blues Festival takes place in August and draws in music lovers from across the U.S. For more information, visit www.spacityblues.org. Each spring, the Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival welcomes artists, musicians and other creatives to the area. The event features concerts, workshops and other activities. For more information, visit www.valleyofthevapors.com. The Hot Springs Music Festival will return for its 24th season June 2-15. This event includes a variety of performances, workshops and master classes that focus on orchestral and chamber music. For more information, visit www.hotmusic.org.
MOUNTAIN VIEW
Mountain View is known as “The Folk Music Capital of the World,” and the city hosts a variety of events throughout the year that focus on folk music. Nearly every night, residents and guests can be found at the town square playing guitars, mandolins, banjos and dulcimers. Visitors can also check out Ozark Folk Center State Park for concerts and workshops. Nearby Blanchard Springs Caverns hosts Christmas concerts in the cavern each year. For more information, visit www.arkansasstateparks. com or www.blanchardsprings.org.
ARKANSAS ROCK ’N’ ROLL HIGHWAY 67 MUSEUM
Showcasing photos and memorabilia from music clubs the Silver Moon, Porky’s Roof Top and King of Clubs, this museum in Newport celebrates the role that U.S. Highway 67 had in the birth of rock ’n’ roll during the 1950s. The museum features artifacts from the lives of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and others.