“The Influence of Music on the Civil Rights Movement.”

Received this via email today.  Passing it on for all who may be interested.   Read the press release that follows for information on the Musician's Corner Event.

Jimmy Carter, 83, the only living founder of The Blind Boys of Alabama, will take part in a symposium next Friday called “The Influence of Music on the Civil Rights Movement.”

Founded in 1939 at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind, The Blind Boys of Alabama are a Grammy-winning gospel group that got their start performing in churches and auditoriums. In the 1960’s, The Blind Boys joined the Civil Rights movement, including performing at benefits for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The symposium will take place at the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University (1207 18^th Avenue South) on August 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public, and all are invited to attend. Tickets are not required. Carter will be reflecting on his 70 year journey with The Blind Boys as well as their role in the Civil Rights movement. Other symposium participants include Reavis Mitchell, Dean of Fisk University, and Linda Wynn from the Tennessee Historical Commission. John Seigenthaler will host this symposium. 

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MUSICIANS CORNER’S SEPTEMBER 1 KICK OFF EVENT TO FEATURE THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA, KAREN ELSON, NASHVILLE SYMPHONY, AND NASHVILLE STREET FOOD AWARDS

Nashville, TN (August 16, 2012) - Musicians Corner, Nashville’s free weekly lawn party in Centennial Park, welcomes its fall season on Saturday, September 1 with free music from 3-6 PM. The September 1 Fall Kick Off event features main stage performances by The Blind Boys of Alabama, Karen Elson, a Nashville Symphony quartet and Jeremy Lister. The Lightning 100 Acoustic Stage will feature music by Anthony Snape, Chelsea Gill and The Carmonas.

Jimmy Carter, one of the founding members of The Blind Boys of Alabama, will also take part in a free symposium on Friday, August 31 titled “The Influence of Music on The Civil Rights Movement,” presented in partnership with Fisk University. “Fisk University is excited to share in presenting the music of the Civil Rights Era, which has become the music for social change sung around the globe,” said Reavis L. Mitchell, Dean, School of Humanities/Behavioral Social Sciences & Professor of History. The symposium, which will be kicked off by John Seigenthaler, will take place at The First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, 1207 18th Ave. S from 5:30 – 7 PM on August 31. Tickets are not required for this event. The Blind Boys of Alabama’s performance and symposium appearance has been underwritten through a generous grant from South Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts.

The September 1 Fall Kick Off event also features over 20 mobile food trucks participating in the 1st Annual “Nashville Street Food Awards” from 11 AM – 6 PM, presented by the Nashville Food Truck Association. “Musicians Corner was among the first to support food trucks in Nashville,” said B.J. Lofback, President of the Nashville Food Truck Association. “As we’ve grown in number we’re thrilled to support them back.” A portion of the proceeds from the Food Truck Awards will benefit Musicians Corner and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Trucks will sell regular menu items as well as small ‘tastes,’ so patrons can sample food from multiple trucks. A panel of judges will sample blind entries from the trucks in a variety of categories throughout the day, naming winners at the conclusion of the event. Food truck patrons will have the opportunity to name a People’s Choice Award.

Confirmed food trucks participating in the “Nashville Street Food Awards” include Beach Bums Juice Bar, Biscuit Love, Blue Monkey Shaved Ice, Delta Bound, Dixie Belles Cupcakes, The Grilled Cheeserie, Hit Or Miss Ice Cream, Hoss’ Loaded Burgers, Jonbalaya Catering, Ken’s Hot Spot, The Latin Wagon, The Love Shack, Mere Bulles, Moovers & Shakers, Peanut Butter Paradise, Retro Sno, Riffs Fine Street Food, Smoke Et Al, Sum Yum Yum, Terra Delicious, The Waffle Boss, Wrapper’s Delight, and Yayo’s OMG.

Other September 1 activities include the Musicians Corner Beer & Wine Garden, which features local brands Yazoo, Hap and Harry’s and Arrington Vineyards. The Beer and Wine Garden opens at 12 PM with Happy Hour from 12-3 PM.  Musicians Corner will award its weekly Dog of the Day Award and provide free craft activities for the little ones in Mix 92.9 Kidsville.