Selmer in McNairy County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
McNairy County Music Hall of Fame
Inducted 2023
| — | McNairy County Trail of Music Legends | — |
Photographed by David Austin
1. McNairy County Music Hall of Fame Marker
Ezella Robinson • Gospel Artist and Songwriter
Ezella Robinson began singing at the ripe old age of three. That talent carried through into high school and college where Robinson was a standout choral and musical theater performer, graduating from Bethel University with a minor in theater (English major). As an independent gospel artist and songwriter Robinson has been nominated for the Gospel Choice Awards, Gospel Image Awards and Tennessee Music Awards. She was awarded the Divine Connections Soloist of the Year in 2019 and has made numerous TV, radio and live concert appearances. Robinson is an advocate for children with special needs and her songwriting credits include a number of children’s songs.
Richard “Boogie” Keele • Country & Rock Guitarist
Richard “Boogie” Keele performed with some of the region’s most popular country, rock and blues bands for more than fifty years. Keele began playing piano as a child and picked up saxophone in high school, but guitar called to him. The consummate honky tonk guitarist—thus the nickname “Boogie”—Keele made his reputation playing clubs such as Pine Ridge, The Rock Pile,
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Francis Lee Hendrix • Old-Time & Bluegrass Guitarist
Francis Lee Hendrix was a talented guitarist and vocalist with some of the area’s top bluegrass and country bands in the postwar period. A soft-spoken man who preferred to remain behind the scenes, Hendrix played the dance and country radio circuit with Ernest “Pap” Whitten among others where he met, befriended and collaborated with a young Carl Perkins. Hendrix made multiple recordings with Stanton Littlejohn at Eastview, and was the founder of the fondly remembered Grand Ole Opry of Bethel Springs, a series of charity performances that raised funds for the PTA. Subsequent generations of Hendrix’s family have carried on his legacy of local musical excellence.
WS “Fluke” Holland • Country…and Rock ’n’ Roll Drumming Pioneer
WS “Fluke” Holland, dubbed “The Father of the Drums” by Johnny Cash, was a native of Hardin County, Tennessee. Holland was the original drummer for Carl Perkins, appearing on smash hits like Blue Suede Shoes. As Cash’s only drummer, he recorded and toured with the Man in Black for over forty years. Holland performed on the Million Dollar Quartet Session at Sun, was the first to play a full set of drums on the Grand Ole Opry, and was one of the most influential percussionists in the history of popular music. As an advocate for West Tennessee music heritage preservation, Holland was instrumental in launching the Rockabilly Highway Revival in Selmer, Tennessee, headlining the festival many times.
Trailhead at 205 W. Court Ave. • Download the app for Apple or Android
Erected 2023 by McNairy County Music Hall of Fame.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 2023.
Location. 35° 10.174′ N, 88° 35.504′ W. Marker is in Selmer, Tennessee, in McNairy County. It is at the intersection of West Court Avenue (Business U.S. 64) and South Front Street, on the right when traveling east on West Court Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 109 W Court Ave, 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 Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 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); Rockabilly Highway Murals (within shouting distance of this marker); Mobile & Ohio Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Selmer, Tennessee (within shouting distance of this marker); Meskers (within shouting distance of this marker); McNairy County Music Hall of Fame & Trail of Music Legends — 2014 Inductees (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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Selmer.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2026, by David Austin of Scotts Hill, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on August 21, 2026, by David Austin of Scotts Hill, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A photo of the marker and the surrounding area in context. • Can you help?
