The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour kicks off an exciting fall season on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6 pm at the Powerhouse Arts Center.
Guests for the season premiere will include Mahalia Jackson biographers, Timothy B. Tyson & Mary D. Williams, Oxford blues collective, Blue Velvet and North Carolina songwriter Laurelyn Dossett.
The show is hosted by Jim Dees with house band, Paul Tate and the Yalobushwhackers.
The Powerhouse is located at 413 South 14th St.
Admission is free and the public is invited.
Doors are at 5:30. Refreshments including beer and wine and Cathead Distillery, Wonderbird Spirits and Red Panther Brewing Co. will be for sale. Showtime is 6 pm. A book signing follows at 7 pm.
The show will be broadcast live (and every Thursday) on WUMS 92.1 FM – University of Mississippi.
In Mississippi, the show can also be heard on air and online every Saturday at 5 pm and Sundays at 6 pm on Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB).
The broadcast is also available on public and community radio stations in Memphis, Chattanooga and Knoxville, TN as well as the stations of APR | Alabama Public Radio.
The program’s newest affiliate is True Taos Radio | KNCE 93.5 | Taos, New Mexico.
All shows are archived for one month at WYXR Memphis here.
Oxford shows are also being filmed by Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) Television.
Thacker’s debut on MPB-TV is Friday, September 18 at 8 pm!
The show will be aired as a 30-minute telecast. The debut on Friday, the 18th will be a show recorded last spring featuring bestselling author Dennard Dayle, Memphis songwriter Aybil and rock legend, Lenny Kaye.
The TV season runs every Friday at 8 pm with new episodes weekly through Nov. 20. The show will also stream online.
Thacker Executive Director Lucy Gaines is excited about the fall season.
“We ended last year with an increase in memberships and attendance,” Gaines noted. “This year, with so many great live shows lined up, and the television version coming online, we hope to add to the excitement with some surprises.”
Production Director Tim Lee agrees.
“We strive for a strong and diverse show, week in and week out.” he points out. “We’re particularly excited about this fall’s line-up.”
Highlights of the upcoming season include:
Hot Georgia slide guitar duo Cash’s Juke Joint (Sept. 17);
short story master Jim Shepard, surreal songwriter/author Jim White and hot folkie Taylor Hollingsworth (9-24); gonzo travel writer Issac Fitzgerald (NBC Today Show) (10-15).
Water Valley show with Hope Clayburn’s Soul Scrimmage and Joe Austin & the Tallahatchies (10-22);
Special Sarahfest show with soul gospel group Annie and the Caldwells (Luaka Bop recording artist from West Point, MS; David Byrne record label);
National Folk Festival in Jackson, MS! – Thacker Mountain Radio Hour (Hal and Mal’s) (11-12);
Season finale blowout at the Powerhouse with Anissa Hampton (Bigg Sexyy), Ra’Shad the Blues Kid and Damein Wash with the Yalobushwhacker Big Band (11-19).
Please check back for frequent updates!