PLAYIN' POSSUM
The Franklin-Simpson Community Arts Council is so excited to present their next concert and what a special one it will be! On Saturday, September 10, at 7:30pm at the Goodnight Auditorium in Franklin, KY, we will present the inaugural show “Playing Possum”, a Tribute to George Jones, starring George’s band “The Jones Boys” and featuring country music singer “Ken Mellons”.
George Jones passed away in 2013 and during the last 20 years of his life, Jones was frequently referred to as the greatest living country singer. His distinctive voice and phrasing had many country artists saying…"If we all could sound like we wanted to, we'd all sound like George Jones." The shape of his nose and facial features earned Jones the nickname "The Possum”.
Many think it has died, but Real Country Music is still alive and it is finding its voice again, in traditional troubadours like Ken Mellons, a soulful country music singer nicknamed “The Jukebox Junkie”. If you aren’t familiar with Ken or recognize his name, you might recognize his voice. He is most known for his award winning Top 10 single, “Jukebox Junkie”. He had a string of hits in the 90’s and in 2004, he released an album that featured "Paint Me a Birmingham", which became a Top 5 country hit for Tracy Lawrence. Mellons even recorded a song with George Jones entitled the “Institute Of Honky Tonks”.
Mellons was born in Kingsport, Tennessee but has lived in Nashville since the age of three. He entered in many talent shows in high school, and played at various clubs around Nashville to help perfect his skill. In 1989, Ken earned a spot in the show Country Music USA at Opryland. Mellons has had over 50 cuts as a songwriter including cuts by George Jones, George Strait, Dierks Bentley, Hank Williams Jr., Mark Chestnutt and Shawn Camp. He was also the voice for Cowboy Slim in the cartoon networks "Saddle Rash".
What would a show featuring George Jones music be without the “Jones Boys”? Many of these band members played with Jones for over 20 years. They include the Drummer, Bobby Birkhead, who played with him for 30 years; Tom Killen who played Pedal Steel Guitar for 30 years; Kent Goodson who played Piano and vocals for 28 years and Vaughn Reed who played Bass and vocals for 23 years. In addition, there is Billy Contreras who played Fiddle with Jones for five years; and Scott Coney who played Electric Guitar with him for 5 years. Coney is currently touring with Alan Jackson. As you can tell, with all this experience, these guys know George Jones’ music and what a great concert it will be! You will not want to miss it!
The cost of the tickets are $25.00 reserved seating and $18.00 for balcony. Tickets can be purchased at the Gallery on the Square, 110 N. Main St., Franklin, KY 270-586-8055 or on-line at www.franklinsimpsonarts.org Tickets will also be available at the door; however, do not wait, these tickets will go fast! For more information, please contact the F-S Arts Council office at 270-586-6799 or Call Brownie Bennett, Director at 270-776-5783.
George Jones passed away in 2013 and during the last 20 years of his life, Jones was frequently referred to as the greatest living country singer. His distinctive voice and phrasing had many country artists saying…"If we all could sound like we wanted to, we'd all sound like George Jones." The shape of his nose and facial features earned Jones the nickname "The Possum”.
Many think it has died, but Real Country Music is still alive and it is finding its voice again, in traditional troubadours like Ken Mellons, a soulful country music singer nicknamed “The Jukebox Junkie”. If you aren’t familiar with Ken or recognize his name, you might recognize his voice. He is most known for his award winning Top 10 single, “Jukebox Junkie”. He had a string of hits in the 90’s and in 2004, he released an album that featured "Paint Me a Birmingham", which became a Top 5 country hit for Tracy Lawrence. Mellons even recorded a song with George Jones entitled the “Institute Of Honky Tonks”.
Mellons was born in Kingsport, Tennessee but has lived in Nashville since the age of three. He entered in many talent shows in high school, and played at various clubs around Nashville to help perfect his skill. In 1989, Ken earned a spot in the show Country Music USA at Opryland. Mellons has had over 50 cuts as a songwriter including cuts by George Jones, George Strait, Dierks Bentley, Hank Williams Jr., Mark Chestnutt and Shawn Camp. He was also the voice for Cowboy Slim in the cartoon networks "Saddle Rash".
What would a show featuring George Jones music be without the “Jones Boys”? Many of these band members played with Jones for over 20 years. They include the Drummer, Bobby Birkhead, who played with him for 30 years; Tom Killen who played Pedal Steel Guitar for 30 years; Kent Goodson who played Piano and vocals for 28 years and Vaughn Reed who played Bass and vocals for 23 years. In addition, there is Billy Contreras who played Fiddle with Jones for five years; and Scott Coney who played Electric Guitar with him for 5 years. Coney is currently touring with Alan Jackson. As you can tell, with all this experience, these guys know George Jones’ music and what a great concert it will be! You will not want to miss it!
The cost of the tickets are $25.00 reserved seating and $18.00 for balcony. Tickets can be purchased at the Gallery on the Square, 110 N. Main St., Franklin, KY 270-586-8055 or on-line at www.franklinsimpsonarts.org Tickets will also be available at the door; however, do not wait, these tickets will go fast! For more information, please contact the F-S Arts Council office at 270-586-6799 or Call Brownie Bennett, Director at 270-776-5783.
