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Country Music Talents Found in Weakley County
By: Sabrina Bates, News Editor
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
They
are cousins only by marriage, but for Micah Arnold and
Jonathan McDowell, country music is definitely in their
blood. Now, they will have the opportunity to showcase their
family talent as they set out into the country music
industry with talent scout Vicki Love. Love came back to her
roots in Dresden last month for a reprieve from the hectic
industry. But, she lacked the ability to dawdle and soon
sought out what will be her next project. It didn’t take
much time once Love heard the vocal talents of Arnold and
read the original songs created by his cousin McDowell.
Arnold, 27, of Gleason said he starting singing at the ripe
age of three and from there, he was stage-bound with the
help of his father, Jim. “Music has been my life. My dad
grew up in country music and I adapted to it. Now it is a
part of me,” Arnold shared. Arnold’s history in country
music ranges from breaking into the business with Loretta
Lynn and recording songs in Hurricane Mills to Music Row.
“I’ve been trying to break into the country music business
for years,” Arnold said. After leaving UT Martin with two
years of college under his belt, Arnold took off for
Nashville and eventually came home when the big break didn’t
come to fruition. With excitement about what the future will
bring, Arnold says working with Love has been a dream come
true. “She’s been great, real supportive of me,” Arnold
said. The budding artist has admiration for country music
icon George Strait, but says his goal is to never try and
mimic anyone else on the stage. “I like to have a lot of
energy. I want the audience to have a good time and I put my
feelings into it. I’m from Gleason. I come from a small town
and I’m just a good ol’ country boy,” he added.
McDowell’s story is quite similar. At 29-years-old, McDowell
has spent much of his adult life working in law enforcement,
but his passion has always been country music. “I get my
inspiration from my three-year-old daughter, Brooklyn
Renee,” McDowell shared. The Gleason resident and Weakley
County Sheriff’s deputy said he received a music scholarship
to a university in Mississippi where he honed his skills
with instruments including the pen. McDowell has a vocal
talent, plays bass guitar and enjoys writing his own country
music songs. He said of his three country music dreams, he
has already fulfilled two by performing on the Ryman Stage
in Nashville and being featured as a guest artist at the
Grand Ole Opry. “I enjoy writing and playing country music,”
McDowell said.
McDowell said the best piece of advice he ever received came
from fellow artist Jack green. “He told me if I hadn’t heard
‘no’ 10 times, then I wasn’t trying. If you give up, nobody
is going to give you a chance. All it takes is that one
person to give you a chance,” McDowell shared. This talent
said he has also never met a stranger and wants people to
wave when they see him. While McDowell also has an affection
for George Strait’s style of music, he confessed his
favorite artist was Vern Gosdin.
Both artists said they have no problem performing on stage.
McDowell actually made it through the first audition of
Nashville Star. Arnold was named the West Tennessee Idol
finalist and a runner-up in the state finals.
Love has planned a community concert in Gleason at 9 p.m. on
Friday at the American Legion for Arnold, McDowell and the
band currently known as The Micah Arnold Band. The publicist
said security will be available during the show that night
and commended the behind the scenes efforts of Michael
Whitney and Loy Gail Mansfield. “Many props to them. Every
day Michael watches over me,” Love shared. She said she is
looking forward to honing the new talent and presenting them
to country music powerhouse players at an invitation-only
concert in January at the legendary Tootsies in Nashville.
Love is also working to secure transportation to Nashville
for the band’s fan base. Other members of the band include
Nick Stroud, acoustics; Matt Coffey, lead guitar; Qwin
Messer, bass guitar and Ricky Morgan on drums. The public is
invited to Friday’s show in Gleason. Source: Weakley
County Press
Mike Snider to be
Inducted Into George Hay Music
Hall of
Fame
MAMMOTH SPRING, Ark. -- Loretta
Lynn, Gene Williams, Mike Snider and
the late Dottie Rhodes will be
inducted into the George D. Hay
Music Hall of Fame, named for the
man who created the Grand Ole Opry,
on Sept. 20 in Mammoth Spring, Ark.,
at 1:30 p.m.
The George D. Hay Music Hall of
Fame and Foundation honors the
memory of George D. Hay, who
credited a hoe down in the town as
the inspiration for his creation of
the Grand Ole Opry. Both the hall of
fame and foundation have the support
and encouragement of Hay’s daughter,
Margaret Hay-Van Damm.
The induction will be conducted
during the 13th Annual George D. Hay
Music Hall of Fame and Hoe Down
Awards Show on Sept. 20 at the
George D. Hay Music Hall of Fame
Theater in Mammoth Spring, Ark.
Mike Snider
Mike Snider, a native of
Tennessee and a member of the Grand
Ole Opry, credits his dogs for
starting his country music career.
When he was six, his dogs dug up a
horn in his front yard. When he
managed to get a tune out the chewed
up old horn, his father got him a
trumpet.
That gift was followed by a banjo
when Snider turned 16. Snider’s
dedication and hard work on the
banjo resulted in two state banjo
championships and, at age 22, the
title of National Banjo Champion.
His first appearance on the Grand
Ole Opry is attributed to a meeting
with Gordon Stoker, a member of the
Jordannaires. Snider told Stoker
that he would like to do the Grand
Ole Opry and not only did Snider get
the invitation, but also his entire
hometown of Gleason, Tenn. Snider’s
performance was witnessed by some
2,000 hometown friends and
neighbors.
Now a permanent fixture on the
Grand Ole Opry, Snider and his band
are called the “best string band in
the nation” by Grand Ole Opry
announcer Eddie Stubbs.
Snider said the Mike Snider
String Band members do their music
“by the seat of their pants.” Band
members are Matt Combs and Shad Cobb
on twin fiddles, Charlie Cushman on
guitar and banjo, Terry Smith on
bass fiddle and Snider on mandolin.
“Mike Snider is a great comedian and
championship musician as well as a
renowned country music performer,”
said his George D. Hay Hall of Fame
nomination biography.
In addition to his appearances on
the Grand Ole Opry, Snider has
appeared on “Nashville Now,” for
seven years at Nashville’s OpryLand
USA and for seven years was a
comedic performer on the television
show, “Hee Haw,” playing banjo,
harmonica and mandolin.
Source. Branson Entertainment
Examiner.
Frazier Selected as
Weakley County Director
of Schools
 DRESDEN (March 30) Randy
Frazier, principal of
Gleason Schools and
coach of the Lady
Bulldogs basketball
team, was selected from
five candidates to lead
the Weakley County
School System.
Weakley County School
Board members
interviewed all five
candidates Monday and
made the selection
Monday following the
interviews.
Candidates included:
Frazier; Career
Education Director
Marvin Flatt;
Instructional Supervisor
Debbie (Hays) Doster, of
McKenzie; Assistant
Director Jeff Kelly; and
Technology Coordinator
Mark Maddox, who also is
the state representative
to the General Assembly
for the area.
Frazier will enter
negotiations with the
board for pay and
benefits. He will
replace Richard Barber,
who is retiring after
serving the school
system since 1969 in
various capacities,
including the
directorship since 1990.
Weakley County Schools
has 10 schools, 648
employees, and 4,800
students.
Gleason School has
achieved high honors
during Frazier's tenure.
Most everyone knows
about the state
championship girls'
basketball teams.
However, Gleason High
School ranks among some
of the top schools in
the nation.
According to a story
published earlier this
year in The Banner, for
the second consecutive
year, Gleason High
School in Weakley County
has been named to the
2009 U.S. News and World
Report list of America's
best high schools.
U.S. News and World
Report analyzed academic
and enrollment data from
more than 21,000 public
high schools to find the
best across the country
and placed them into
gold, silver, bronze and
honorable mention
categories.
Gleason High won in the
bronze category.
"We have an outstanding
faculty and staff," said
Gleason Principal Randy
Frazier. "Our students
have done a good job in
class concentration on
what needs to be done
for us to attain the
scores.
"The students have
really focused on
achieving well on these
tests," he added.
According to an analysis
by School Evaluation
Services - a K-12
education and data
research analysis
business - a best high
school is one that
succeeds at standardized
test performance,
proficiency rates of all
students, including the
least advantaged, and
challenging
college-ready
curriculum.
A bronze medal
recognizes high schools
that meet the first two
criteria of the
methodology.
Another testimony to the
school's outstanding
effort became evident in
December when the
Tennessee Department of
Education named Gleason
High the 2009 state
recipient for the Title
I Distinguished School
in Exceptional Student
Performance. Source:
McKenzie Banner. |
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West Tennessee High Schools Make
Magazine's Best-of List
The Jackson Sun
January 31, 2009
Seven West Tennessee high schools
have been named to the 2009 U.S.
News and World Report list of
America's best high schools.
The schools include Adamsville
High School in McNairy County,
bronze medal; Big Sandy School in
Benton County, bronze medal; Dyer
County High School; Dyersburg High
School, bronze medal; Gleason High
School in Weakley County; Hardin
County High School; and Middleton
High School in Hardeman County.
Schools without the medal by their
names could not be reached to find
out what they were awarded.
U.S. News and World Report
analyzed academic and enrollment
data from more than 21,000 public
high schools to find the best across
the country and placed them into
gold, silver, bronze and honorable
mention categories, according to a
news release.
"Being recognized as one of the
top schools in the nation is a great
encouragement to the Adamsville High
School community and to McNairy
County. A tremendous reward from the
notification from U.S. News and
World Report is the reinforcing
impact of the instructional program
and academic success of our
students," said Adamsville High
School principal Dr. Brian Jackson.
Jackson attributes the school's
success to the teachers' focused
awareness of individual student
needs and to a commitment to
offering students extra help through
an extensive after-school program
and other methods to help students
experience academic success, the
release said. He also credits
training that his teachers received
through the High Schools That Work
network.
McNairy County Schools
Superintendent Charlie Miskelly said
that it's a tribute to Jackson and
his staff for their hard work.
"We are proud of them for what
they have accomplished," Miskelly
said in the news release.
According to an analysis by
School Evaluation Services - a K-12
education and date research analysis
business - a best high school is one
that succeeds at standardized test
performance, proficiency rates of
all students, including the least
advantaged, and challenging
college-ready curriculum, the
release said.
A bronze medal recognizes high
schools that meet the first two
criteria of the methodology.
Weakley County Soldier
Honored at Grave Dedication Service
by Andrew Pritchett ~ Dresden Enterprise
Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Jeffrey Forrest Camp
No. 323, and the Tennessee Society of the Order of the Confederate
Rose, Mariam Beck Forrest Chapter No. 5 hosted a grave dedication
service Saturday, August 25 at the Sand Hill Baptist Church, located
at 2697 Finch Road, Gleason, to honor Weakley County Civil War
veteran John R. Stalcup (1824 - 1915),
 Stalcup,
who is the great-grandfather of Gleason Mayor Jack Dunning, has the
distinction of being Weakley County's only Mexican War veteran. He
also served with the confederacy during the civil war. John Stalcup
was born June 20, 1824 at Trenton, Tenn.
His father and mother died when he was six years old, and he was
moved to Weakley county to be raised by his grandfather.
Mr. Stalcup joined the U.S. 2nd Infantry at Huntingdon and fought
during the Mexican war under Col. Bill Haskell as part of Gid
Pillow's brigade. Upon arriving in Mexico he took part in battles of
Monterrey, Buena Vista and Cerro Gordo and was present when the U.
S. flag was unfurled over the capital of Montezuma. He was the only
man from Weakley county to have the distinction of fighting during
this war.
In 1861, Mr. Stalcup again went to war, but this time for the
South. He joined the 51st Tennessee Confederate Infantry Co. K. He
fought during the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Perryville (where
he was wounded in the shoulder by a piece of shell), Chickamauga,
Missionary Ridge, Franklin and Nashville. While imprisoned at
Columbus and being treated for a broken arm by federal authorities,
he escaped from the hospital about the time peace was established.
Upon returning to Weakley County, he found his home devastated and
impoverished. He set to work to regain in peace that which he had
lost in war. He married twice and had a total of 10 children with
only five still living by 1915.
The Dresden Enterprise wrote an article about Mr. Stalcup shortly
before his death and described him as "a sterling "Democrat" and
that "his life has been marked by honesty and integrity in all his
dealings, and no man ever lost a dollar on him".
Prior to his death on March 19, 1915, Mr. Stalcup requested that
his coffin be entwined with the U.S. stars and stripes and the
Confederate stars and bars. Source: Dresden Enterprise.
 
LEFT:
Gleason Mayor Jack Dunning receives a CSA battle flag from
Confederate re-actor Billy Alton of the 7th CSA Calvary (Dismounted)
during a grave dedication service on Saturday, in honor of Dunning's
great-grandfather, John R. Stalcup, who served with the confederacy
during the Civil War. Speaker for the occasion was Tony Hensley
Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp #323 (Jeffery
Forrest Camp'
RIGHT:
Gleason Mayor Jack Dunning (seated) is seen during a grave
dedication service on Saturday, in honor of Dunning's
great-grandfather, John R. Stalcup, who served with the confederacy
during the Civil War. Speaker for the occasion was Tony Hensley
(left) commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp # 323
(Jeffery Forrest Camp). Confederate re-actor Billy Alton of the 7th
CSA Calvary (Dismounted) holds a CSA battle flag.
|
Gleason Home to Another Singing
Sensation
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By Sara Reid, Staff
Writer
Posted: Tuesday, July 8,
2008 9:05 am
Micah
Arnold
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The City of Gleason
has long been known as
the home of Grand Old Opry star Mike Snider,
but in the near future
it may be able to add
another name to that
list. Last month,
Gleason native Micah
Arnold, 26, took to the
stage in the West
Tennessee Idol
competition in Jackson
and outshined over 200
contestants to take home
the grand prize and the
chance to move on to
state competition.
Initially, Arnold, who
has been singing since
the age of three, was
hesitant to enter the
competition, but with
the encouragement of his
parents, Jim and Donna
Arnold, he decided to
take the plunge. “Over
200 people were at the
audition,” Arnold
admitted. “First, you
had to sing a capella
and if you advanced past
that, you’d perform to a
live round onstage in
front of the judges and
then a radio round where
people called in and
voted.” Despite the fact
that the competition was
very much like the
“American Idol”
television show, Arnold
admitted that the entire
process did nothing to
wrack his nerves. “I’m
used to the stage,” he
said. “I’m in a band
called Leaving Sunday
and we’ve played in
Dresden, Paris, Jackson
and McKenzie. I’ve sung
in Nashville in most
every place. I play
guitar in the band, but
lately, of course, I’ve
been focusing on
vocals.” Arnold hopes to
take his passion much
further than the
competition stage. He’s
hoping to make a career
in the music industry.
“I’d really like to go
further with it,” he
said. “I’ve been wanting
to work on a career in
the music industry for a
while now.” Arnold cites
his musical influences
as being everything from
Keith Urban to Merle
Haggard to Hank Williams
Jr. to Garth Brooks to,
of course, his father
who played music when
Arnold was growing up,
but he relates his own
style of singing to no
one. It’s uniquely his
own. “I try not to sound
like anyone. I try to be
unique. I’ve been told
that I sound like George
Strait or I sound like
Conway Twitty, but I
don’t want to be a
second-rate version of
them,” he admitted.
Arnold wasn’t the only
Weakley Countian to sing
on the West Tennessee
Idol stage, however. Two
other singers from
Palmersville also made
the finals and Arnold
saw their presence as a
comfort. “Emily Rook was
there and Paul Jolley
was there and it was
very comforting,” he
remarked. “I knew them
even before the
competition and it was
great that we all had
each other to talk to
and cope with. It really
made the competition
easier. We banded
together and it really
felt good to see people
I knew there rooting all
of us on.” When Arnold
won the competition and
received his trophy, he
knew all the years of
hard work and practice
had paid off and he had
just taken one step
closer to his dream. “It
really felt good. It’s
something I’ve been
doing for a long time
and it paid off,” he
said. “I still have a
long way to go as far as
making a career in
music, but this was a
huge accomplishment. The
judges were from the
music industry and
hearing the positive
feedback from them made
me feel good about
myself.” “Every
contestant there
deserved to win,” he
added. “It was not an
easy win because
everyone was so
talented, but I’m
pleased they chose me.”
Arnold will now compete
in the Tennessee Colgate
State Finals in
Monteagle on Sept. 6 and
with a win, will move on
to national competition
at the Wildhorse Saloon
in Nashville.
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The
Life and Times of Mr. Roy Travillian
By Ernie Smothers
smothers@mckenziebanner.com |
It
has been said that effort constitutes the defining line between those who dream
and those who achieve. Gleason’s Roy Travillian is an achiever. He has not only
dreamed great dreams, but through hard work and diligence, nurtured those dreams
into reality. A spiritual and earnest man, he has lived a life that casts
shadows on most. Laborer, farmer, salesman, business owner, college graduate at
68, author—-it’s easier to state what he hasn’t done rather than list all that
he has accomplished. Quick to smile and even quicker to wit, Roy Travillian is a
man with a story to tell.
Gordon Stoker
Gordon Stoker - Part of Half a Century of Music History
The Jordanaires greeted their fans at their induction into the Country Music
Hall of Fame in 2001. They have sung backup for Elvis Presley, Loretta Lynn,
Patsy Cline and other legends. Quartet members are (from left) Curtis Young,
Gordon Stoker, Ray Walker and Louis Nunley. Source:
Weakley County Press.
-
Click Here For
Full Story
Featured Series From the
McKenzie Banner
Gordon
Stoker - Gleason's Musical Marvel Makes it to Nashville:
Part one of a two-part series
By Deborah Turner
Source:
The McKenzie Banner
Gordon Stoker - "The Amazing
Years":
Part two
By Deborah Turner
Source: The McKenzie Banner
Mike
Snider
Mike Snider-Always Gleason's Hometown Boy
By
Deborah Turner ~
dturner@mckenziebanner.com
Mike Snider surged from 1983 national
banjo champ to a member of the Grand Ole Opry. After 26 years of perfecting
the three-finger style of banjo playing, three years ago he switched to the
clawhammer style in keeping with his interest in old-time mountain music.
Some who gain fame take due pride in being able to say they’ve never
forgotten their roots. Celebrated banjo player, Mike Snider, on the other
hand, dug his roots still deeper in the town of Gleason from which he’d
sprung, after being welcomed heart and soul into the close-knit bosom of the
Grand Ole Opry and adoring fans everywhere.
Source:
MckenzieBanner.com
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Click Here for Full
Story
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