Thacker Mountain Radio, the Oxford-based music and literature program that features author readings and musical performances, returns to the Neshoba County Fair on Saturday, July 26 at 8 pm at the Founder’s Square Pavilion. Guests will include bestselling “Sweet Potato Queen” author, Jill Conner Browne, blues pianist Eden Brent and blues guitarist Vasti Jackson. The show is hosted by Jim Dees and house band, the Yalobushwhackers. The one-hour Fair show will not be a live broadcast but will be recorded for future air on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Following Thacker at 9 pm, the Vasti Jackson Band will play a one-hour concert at the Pavilion.
Jill Conner Browne is “America’s #1 Humor Writer,” according to Nielsen BookScan, a retail book sales monitoring service. There are more than 2.2 million copies of The Sweet Potato Queen’s books currently in print, including, her latest, Fat Is the New 30: The Sweet Potato Queens’ Guide to Coping with (The Crappy Parts Of) Life. Some of her previous books include American Thighs: The Sweet Potato Queens Guide to Preserving Your Assets (2009), The Sweet Potato Queens’ Guide to Raising Children for Fun and Profit (2008), The Sweet Potato Queens’ Wedding Planner and Divorce Guide (2005) and her first book, The Sweet Potato Queens’ Book of Love (1999).
The Sweet Potato Queens books have created a global phenomenon–6,200 chapter groups in 37 countries–based upon Browne’s philosophy and world-view as recounted through her raucous and riotously funny essays. Browne’s bawdy humor and sass are just part of her overall message which is one of self-reliance and empowerment, inspiring all to “do what makes your heart sing.” Browne lives in Jackson, Mississippi.
Eden Brent is an award-winning blues pianist from Greenville, Miss. who combines boogie-woogie with elements of blues, jazz, soul, gospel and pop. She records on the independent Yellow Dog Records label and her CDs include Mississippi Number One, Ain’t Got No Troubles (recorded in New Orleans) and her latest, Jigsaw Heart, which was recorded in Nashville. Brent is a three-time Blues Award winner who toured and played with former Motown session musician, Abie “Boogaloo” Ames, who helped her hone her unique piano style.
Guitarist Vasti Jackson began playing in the churches and juke joints in his native McComb and now plays festivals, concerts, and theatres around the world. He recently wrapped a world tour as part of the “Playing For Change” musical troupe. His CDs include No Borders to the Blues, Live in Nashville and Mississippi Burner. Jackson was recently featured in the HBO series, Treme.
Thacker Mountain Radio can be heard every Saturday at 7 pm on Miss Public Broadcasting radio (WMAW 88.1 FM, Meridian) and online: http://mpbonline.org/Programs/listen_live. The show, now in its sixteenth year, is a past recipient of the Mississippi Governor’s Award for Broadcast Excellence.
