PRESS RELEASE
Alabama Tourism Set To Kick Off Year of Music Campaign |
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For Release: January 14, 2011
Montgomery, Ala. — The state tourism department will kick off the Year of Alabama Music on Jan. 20 at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in Birmingham. A press conference will be held to announce details of the campaign and the events that will take place during the year-long celebration.
Music industry representatives from regions across the state, Birmingham jazz musician Eric Essix, Dothan bluesman Little Jimmy Reed, and tourism officials will be on hand for the presentation.
A music brochure, “100 Place To Hear Live Music in Alabama,” a guitar in the shape of Alabama, a website dedicated to all things music, music-related contests and events in conjunction with Oxford American magazine are a few highlights of the campaign.
The music brochure lists sites throughout the state such asOna’s Music Room, the Bottletree and the Garage in Birmingham, the Rattlesnake Saloon and Smokehouse Billiards in the Shoals, Sous-La-Terre and the Alley Bar in Montgomery, Lulu’s and the Hangout in Gulf Shores, the Peerless Saloon in Anniston and the Blues Tavern in Mobile.
The brochure is the third in a series of popular tourism information guides. In 2005 the popular “100 Dishes to eat in Alabama before you die” was first printed, followed by “100 Outdoor Adventures in Alabama” in 2006.
Eric Essix and Little Jimmy Reed will play The “Alabama Jammer” guitar at the 11 a.m. kick-off. The guitar, in the shape of the state, is an icon for the year of music and was created by Gibson Guitars in Nashville.
Alabama Tourism director Lee Sentell said few things can bring out the passion, interest and devotion in people like music. “Music provides a strong emotional experience for most. This campaign will increase tourism to Alabama by showcasing our variety of music, musical events and destinations.”
Oxford American and the tourism department are planning several special events for the year. The first event is a concert Sat., Feb. 5, 2011 at the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham. The event, called “Abalabip,” after a song by Nat King Cole’s brother Eddie, will feature Ralph “Soul” Jackson, the Sex Clark Five, Mary Gresham, Arthur Doyle, and the Secret Sister Band. Tickets are $20.
Several other events are scheduled during next month. A documentary about the band Drive-By Truckers, “The Secret To A Happy Ending,” will show for one night at the Capri Theatre in Montgomery Friday, Jan. 28 at 9 p.m. Band member Patterson Hood is a second generation Muscle Shoals performer. His father David Hood is a musician who played with the Swampers, a studio band that attracted world renowned singers.
The Princess Theatre in Decatur is hosting an event, “An Evening with Mac McAnally” on Friday, February 25, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
The tourism department is hosting a songwriter’s contest and will accept original material about the state of Alabama. Details about the contest will be released Feb.15.
The Year of Music marks the ninth in a series of tourism campaigns that began in 2002 focusing on gardens.
The tourism department will also unveil a website dedicated to the Year of Music, www.yearofalabamamusic.com and a Facebook fan page www.facebook.com/AlabamaMusic.
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Edith Parten Communication Director & Gulf Coast Regional Director Alabama Tourism Department 334.242.4537 edith.parten@tourism.alabama.gov
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ALtourist Twitter: www.twitter.com/TweetHomeAla Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlabamaTourism |
