Selmer in McNairy County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends — 2014 Inductees

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 7, 2021

1. McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends — 2014 Inductees Marker

Inscription.
The Stephen Foster Music Club
Music appreciation organization The Stephen Foster Music Club is a group dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of music in McNairy County. Named after Stephen Collins Foster, one of the most well-recognized American songwriters of the nineteenth century, the Stephen Foster Music Club was born on November 15, 1938 and remains an established, active force in McNairy County music, arts, and culture. It is the second oldest Federated Music Club in Tennessee.

Elvis Black
Old-time Fiddle Legend Elvis Black is the stuff of local legend as a gifted and highly influential fiddler. Born in 1903, near the Leapwood community in McNairy County, Black developed his musical talent despite complete blindness in both eyes due to a childhood accident. He was granted the opportunity to pursue formal violin lessons, but Black preferred to learn from his fellow country fiddlers and became a decorated contest fiddler. One-room school houses, barns, country picnics, and the homes of McNairy County were his Opry stage.

Arnold English
Legendary Bluegrass Fiddler & Bandleader Arnold Varnell English

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began as a child prodigy on the fiddle. No bigger than knee high, he was a regular performer at local musicals and square dances. A World War II veteran, English is widely credited with reviving local interest in traditional music in the postwar period. His legendary band, Dixie Hayriders, were popular entertainers for radio programs and public performances throughout West Tennessee and North Mississippi. English's talent brought him into contact with music greats such as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Lester Flatt, Red Taylor, and Slim Rhodes.

The Congiardo Family
Extraordinary Musicians & Music Educators The Congiardo Family's contribution to music education has built a lasting legacy wider than just the innate talent running through the family's veins. It's a legacy which has touched thousands of youth. It all began with the talent of Frank Senior, a multi-instrumentalist, who passed his love of music on to his children. Frank Junior could have played professionally but instead became a band director. He taught his younger brother Dominic, who became a professional musician rubbing elbows with the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Cher.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 7, 2021

2. McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends — 2014 Inductees Marker

Frank Junior's sons, Frankie and Mike, would carry their father's torch for music education becoming highly respected and decorated music educators.

Erected 2014 by McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 2014.

Location. 35° 10.206′ N, 88° 35.525′ W. Marker is in Selmer, Tennessee, in McNairy County. It is at the intersection of West Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64) and North 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west on West Court Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 North 2nd Street, Selmer TN 38375, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 29, 2024

3. McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends — 2014 Inductees Marker

Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Meskers (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Meskers (within shouting distance of this marker); McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends (within shouting distance of this marker); McNairy County Music Hall of Fame (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named McNairy County Music Hall of Fame (within shouting distance of this marker); Selmer, Tennessee (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Selmer.

Also see . . . Class of 2014. More information about the inductees. (Submitted on August 8, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 439 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on August 7, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.