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

McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends — 2019 Inductees

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 7, 2021

1. McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends — 2019 Inductees Marker

Inscription.
Bessie Jarrett
Beloved & Influential Gospel Artist Bessie Jarrett began singing gospel at 8 years old in Mt. Olive Church at Guys. A versatile entertainer, Bessie is recognized for her ability to perform many styles of music including R&B, jazz, classical, pop standards and show tunes. She has performed widely on radio and TV, won national talent competitions, and acted as a talent coach and judge for the Miss Tennessee Pageant. Bessie recorded for Designer Records in Memphis, but declined a contract to pursue her first love: singing in church. For many years Bessie performed regionally with McNairy County Music Hall of Fame pianist, Danny Churchwell, as the beloved duo Bessie and Danny.

The Murray Boys
Legendary Regional Bluegrass Band The Murray Boys were one of McNairy County's most revered family bluegrass bands. From the mid-20th century forward, Virgil, Bruce and Will Tom Murray entertained thousands through live performances and radio appearances alongside legendary artists, such as Flatt and Scruggs. Virgil, the Murray patriarch, was a gifted fiddler and washtub bassist. Bruce, a talented multi-instrumentalist,

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primarily played guitar and fiddle, and Tom developed one of the area's most influential banjo styles. The Murray Boys attracted some of the area's top musicians to the various iterations of their band and anchored the popular Murray Hill Jamboree in the 1970s and 80s.

Bob Kennedy
Respected Southern Gospel Quartet Singer & Promoter Bob Kennedy was one of McNairy County's preeminent gospel vocalists, bandleaders and promoters. Bob was raised in a family of singers and maintained a lifelong passion for Southern Gospel. He founded and performed widely with the popular quartet The Apostles, which also included former Blackwood Brothers member, London Parris, and McNairy County Music Hall of Fame pianist, Danny Churchwell. As a well-connected promoter, Bob regularly brought some of the most sought-after gospel groups of his era to McNairy County. He was a longtime music minister at West Shiloh Baptist Church, and inspired generations of his own family who continue to sing gospel.

Ronnie Whitten
Gifted Bluegrass Banjoist • Tenor Singer Ronnie Whitten is regarded as one of the finest banjoists of his generation. The son of McNairy County

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 7, 2021

2. McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends — 2019 Inductees Marker

Music Hall of Fame fiddler, Pap Whitten, Ronnie cut his musical teeth performing in his father's band, the Chickasaw Ramblers. Developing an interest in banjo at an early age, Ronnie branched out with his brother, Wayne, to form the Whitten Brothers Band. The Whitten Brothers developed a devoted regional following playing innumerable events, concerts and bluegrass festivals. Ronnie would go on to national success as a contest banjo picker and shared the stage with many bluegrass elites, including the great Bill Monroe.

Erected 2019 by McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures • Women.

Location. 35° 10.223′ N, 88° 35.575′ W. Marker is in Selmer, Tennessee, in McNairy County. It is at the intersection of West Court Avenue (Business Tennessee Route 64) and South 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east on West Court Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Selmer TN 38375, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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 Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Meskers (here, next to this marker); McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends — 2015 Inductees (within shouting distance of this marker); Sherry Lea Inman (within shouting distance of this marker); McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends (within shouting distance of this marker); In affectionate memory of the early settlers of McNairy County and the Town of Purdy (within shouting distance of this marker); McNairy County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Meskers (within shouting distance of this marker); McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends — 2017 Inductees (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Selmer.

Also see . . .
1. McNairy County Music Hall of Fame — 2019 Inductees. Text of induction speeches for the 2019 inductees. (Submitted on August 8, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Bessie Jarrett (YouTube). She sings "Unchained Melody" in honor of her frequent performing partner, Danny Churchwell, during the 2015 McNairy County Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Submitted on August 8, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.