Event

Charlie Burse Gravestone Benefit

Charlie Burse was a skilled multi-instrumentalist, boisterous singer and memorable showman. He contributed to some of the most influential jug band recordings, from his guitar riffs on "Cocaine Habit" and "You May Leave" to his lead vocals on "Bottle It Up and Go" and "Stealin' Stealin'" -- a song that has been covered by Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, the Grateful Dead and countless modern jug, bluegrass and old-time bands -- while his own compositions added a high-energy, jazzy dimension to the jug band repertoire. Burse played swing and jump blues later in his
career, and almost made a pop music breakthrough as one of Sun Records' first recorded artists.

Like many musicians of his era, Burse was buried in an unmarked grave when he died in 1965. The Mt. Zion Memorial Fund has located his grave site at Rose Hill Cemetery in Memphis, and the proceeds from this show will help pay for a gravestone. Come learn about this fun slice of American roots music, and help honor a pioneering musician with your ticket purchase.

The lineup includes:

Barbecue Orchestra - Originally formed with Fritz Richmond in the
1990's, this deep collection of local talent has performed with Lauren Sheehan and Mary Flower more recently.

Eagle Ridin' Papas - Led by Johnnie Ward and other roots music veterans, the Eagle Ridin' Papas bring an old school jug band vibe to our event.

Smut City Jellyroll Society - Representing the jazzier side of jug band music, the Jellyroll Society will have you up and dancing, or blushing from the double entendres.

How Long Jug Band - Always carrying the flame for jug band music, this group's research into the Memphis Jug Band sparked this gravestone benefit project.