Laird Hunt’s novel, Neverhome (Little, Brown) tells the story of Ash Thompson, a strong woman who saves her husband by taking on his identity and joining the Union army during the Civil War. Hunt is the author of several other works of fiction including his 2012 novel, Kind One which was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award. A former United Nations press officer, Hunt is currently on the faculty of the University of Denver’s creative writing program. He and his wife, the poet Eleni Sikelianos, live in Boulder, Colorado, with their daughter, Eva Grace.

Johnny Rawls’ newest CD is “Soul Brothers,” recorded with soul singer, Otis Clay. His previous CD, Remembering O.V. was named Best Album of the Year in 2013, by Living Blues Magazine. Johnny Rawls was born in Columbia, Mississippi and raised in Purvis and Gulfport. His other recordings include Memphis Still Got Soul, Soul Survivor, Red Cadillac, and Ace of Spades. In 2009, Johnny’s long career was honored with a Blues Trail Marker located at the original site of the Hi-Hat Club in Hattiesburg. He shared the honor with Tyrone Davis and Little Milton.

Songwriter Jim Mize is known for the “stark brevity” of his lyrics and their “dirt road wisdom.” His latest CD is Jim Mize (Big Legal Mess). For his Thacker appearance he will be joined onstage by former Blue Mountain bassist, Oxford’s Laurie Stirratt.  Mize is a native of Conway, Arkansas and his music is a rough-edged and winning combination of Dixie rock’n’roll, honk-tonk country and juke-joint blues. “It’s a Southern deal,” he says. His previous CD was, No Tell Motel, (Stump Grinder Records), recorded at Bruce Watson’s Water Valley, Mississippi studio, the Money Shot.