Ellington

I have been busy planning the Music To Heal Mississippi Benefit (which was a huge success, thanks) and recording a new album. But I'm back this week and talking directly to music lovers of all ages and colors who always whine that there's nothing to do in Jackson.

Few people realize how important a thriving entertainment scene is to Jackson. I say this because after several columns and hundreds of e-mails back and forth in regard to the proposed studio, Jubilee! Jam and the like, I saw that some folks think entertainment has nothing to do with a prosperous city at all. Oh, ye of little faith!

Again, if you take the time to look more closely at cities like Atlanta, New Orleans, Memphis and Houston, you pundits will see that any booming metropolis has a booming music scene to go right along with it. Trust me. Nurturing the arts (and I'm talking concerts, clubs, plays, sports) can provide a well-needed economic boost to the bold new city.

Laypeople don't understand tax hikes or budget concerns. They're not enthralled with building renovations and city annexation. Those things are indeed important, but regular folk simply want something to do. Sometimes, I wonder if we even care about our brief brushes with celebs—or our chances to bask in the national spotlight.

NBA star Tracey McGrady visited the M-Braves and throws out the first pitch at a recent game. Not only did I not hear about it until after the fact; the story was relegated to the bottom of the sports page. C'mon! McGrady is one of the top five players in the NBA now, and he gets a passing mention?

How about ESPN, the No. 1 sports entertainment network in the free world, visiting the Neshoba County Fair recently? The network put our state on an international stage for an entire day and no front-page coverage? How can we support these things if the press doesn't take it seriously?

Saturday, Oct. 1 marks a huge day in Jackson: The Farish Street Heritage Festival. Imagine in this city, in one night, a multi-platinum hip-hop group and P-Funk legends will touch down Downtown. You'll be able to see an eclectic mix of blues, hip-hop, and rock topped off by performances from MTV darlings Nappy Roots and the Original P (P as in Parliament for the funk deficient).

Come out and support this event. Let's show the rest of the South that we're ready to host these types of shindigs.

I'll see ya there. I'll be on stage at 8:30 p.m. (shameless plug).

And that's the truth. ... Sho-nuff.