Music
"Hey, Good Looking"
by
Don Pittman

ATTENTION DRUMMERS!!!

JOIN THE "PRO'S" IN JACKSON, TENNESSEE!!


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**** News release ****

All levels of drummers are invited to participate!!

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"TAKE IT OFF OR SHAKE IT OFF"
OR
"I TAUGHT ELVIS HOW TO GROOVE"

D. J. Fontana, whose strip joint beat taught Elvis how to Groove, and a host of world renowned drummers, will lead in an effort to set a world record for the most drummers to perform at one time with a full set of drums in Jackson, Tennessee. This world record setting effort will take place during ROCKABILLY FEST 2001 scheduled for June 28, 29, 30 and July 1st this year.

D. J. recalls his first meeting with the king, Elvis Presley. This meeting would unite this legendary pair on the long road to international stardom. "When Elvis walked into the Louisiana Hayride, I had already set-up my drums on stage and was ready to play", D. J. reminisces. "The King had never sung with drums before and was a little surprised to see a full set of drums ready to provide him a beat and help him sway. I had been playing the New Orleans strip joints and had developed a beat that would accent the strippers movements as she 'took it off'. Scotty Moore began to unpack his guitar and Bill Black was carrying his stand-up bass fiddle to the stage. They were ready to play. After the sound check and a few warm up songs, we were ready to rock!

Elvis turned to me and said "that’s the sound I want. How would you like to go with me on the road?" "Well" I replied, "all I am doing here is playing strip joints. I think I’ll go with you." The King began to sway as he sang that night to a beat the strippers had long been accustomed to hearing as they 'took it off'. Elvis began to move on stage to the same rhythmic beat I had been using with the strippers. He began to simulate the stripper’s movement as he sang. He would not attempt to 'take it off'. Instead he would 'shake it off' with his body movements. WOW! The world had never seen anyone who could sing and swing and sway all at the same time. A new style of music named 'ROCKABILLY' was born. And there was a new king".

"I am pleased that my contribution to rockabilly music is being honored by my induction into the INTERNATIONAL ROCK-A-BILLY HALL OF FAME in Jackson, Tennessee", D. J. continued. "Many, many drummers have made a contribution to Rockabilly music by adding their own unique style and striking technique to this marvelous style of music. Many of them have made a contribution to Rockabilly music which equals, or exceeds, mine. Many of these magnificent drummers will join with me in Jackson, Tennessee in this WORLD BREAKING EFFORT June 30, 2001."

In Jackson, Tennessee and leading the parade of drummers during ROCKABILLY FEST 2001 and participating in this WORLD RECORD SETTING EFFORT will be such world renowned drummers as:

D. F. Fontana
The Elvis Presley Band

W. S. Holland
The Johnny Cash Band

J. M. Van Eaton
The Jerry Lee Lewis band

Dick Richards
The Bill Haley Comets Band

Stan Perkins
The Carl Perkins Band

Jerry Plunk
The Flaming Embers Band

W. L. Stone
The W. L. Stone Band

Joe Dempsey
The Dempsey Band

Tammy Smith
The Velvet Elvis Band

Bobby Joe Swilley
The Alton & Jimmy Band

Bobby Crawford
The Sonny Burgess & The Legendary Pacer Band

Matt Lucas
The Matt Lucas Band

Laney Stringer
Andy Anderson & the Dawn Breakers

Richard Timbs
Andy Anderson & the Rolling Stones

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You may join in this world record attempt and perform with these world renowned drummers. Each one has a unique "Story of Stardom" all their own. You may join them in building the INTERNATIONAL ROCK-A-BILLY HALL OF FAME in Jackson, Tennessee.

For information contact:

Henry Harrison
telephone (731) 427-8521
fax (731) 427-8560
or
EMAIL
concrete@usit.net

or

Dick McVey
telephone (615) 264-3637
fax(615)826-7393
or
EMAIL
HYPERLINK "mailto:mcveyent@aol.com"
mcveyent@aol.com

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