Sonny Burgess to Rock June Jamboree

Rockabilly Hall of Fame member and Arkansas native Sonny Burgess, along with his band the Legendary Pacers, will perform at Garland County Library June 12th as a part of June Jamboree, a weekend celebrating country music.

Library Director John Wells expects the first ever June Jamboree to be an exciting event for local music fans. “Sonny Burgess is truly a legend,” Wells said. “We've been playing his music in the library, quietly, of course, and those old Sun records have such a raw and rollicking vibe that you just can't beat them. This is a great way to provide some summer fun for adults. We always offer fantastic summer programming for children, but for June Jamboree, we're giving adults a chance to play, too.” Karen Covey, one of the event's organizers, agrees that the event should appeal strongly to country music fans. “If you recognize George, Johnny, Tom T., and Tammy by their first names, then June Jamboree is the event for you,” she said. “After this show, you may have to add Sonny to that list.”

Burgess formed his band in 1955 in Newport, Arkansas. They had five singles on Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, including “Red Headed Woman” backed with “We Wanna Boogie,” which is considered by some critics one of the “wildest” rock and roll records ever. Sonny and the Pacers have played to sold out clubs, festivals, and colleges all over the US and Canada. They are considered pioneers of rock and roll and have performed and traveled with Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, Patsy Cline, Ace Cannon, Charlie Rich, and many others. Burgess was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame of Europe in 1999; his group was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Jackson, Tennessee in 2002.

If Burgess takes country music to its most rocking extremes, Little Rock bluegrass band Runaway Planet, performing June 13th, will show that it doesn't take electric guitars to make traditional country swing. Founded in 2001, Runaway Planet evolved out of a love for traditional string-band music among band members. Their music is a mix of hard-driving bluegrass, three-part harmonies, complex arrangements and original songs. Drawing from traditional influences like Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers, they are also inspired by more progressive bluegrass bands like The Country Gentlemen, The Seldom Scene and New Grass Revival. “We've had Runaway Planet play at the library before and they did a great show,” Wells said. “People have asked us to bring them back and I'm sure they will gather some new fans June 13th. It's wonderful that they're bringing this classic sound to new audiences.”

In addition to these performances, June Jamboree will offer a chance to learn more about country music and local contributions to it. Steve Faris, State Senator from Malvern and country music enthusiast, will present an exploration of country and local music history, featuring some special guests, including Joe Hunt. Hunt was inducted into the Hot Springs Walk of Fame in 2009, along with his brother, Jack Hunt. The two became famous as the Hunt Brothers in the 1950's with a nationally broadcast radio show originating from Hot Springs.

“Mr. Hunt is just one example of the many great musicians from this area who have contributions to country music,” Faris said. “We have really rich local connections with country music and I can't wait to tell people about them. This music contains the history of the 20th century set to song. It's all there, from the sinking of the Titanic, to the Great Depression and the World Wars. If this music doesn't move you, you really need to take a closer listen to it.”

Discussion with Steve Faris begins at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 12th. Sonny Burgess and the Legendary Pacers perform at 2 p.m. the same day. Runaway Planet performs at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 13th. All events are free. Reservations are required for the Sonny Burgess concert. Visit the Garland County Library at 1427 Malvern Avenue or call 501-623-4161 or 501-922-4483 for more information.