“Music Trail Live!” Concert to Celebrate Spartanburg’s Music History
Three New Artists Will Join the Spartanburg Music Trail
(Spartanburg, South Carolina – October 17, 2023) More than a hundred years of Spartanburg’s music history will come to life on Friday, October 27, at the Chapman Cultural Center when dozens of performers take the stage for a concert honoring artists on the Spartanburg Music Trail.
“Music Trail Live!” will feature fourteen different acts performing a wide variety of music—country, gospel, soul, rock ’n’ roll, jazz, bluegrass, and more.
Kathryn Boucher, Executive Director of the Spartanburg Philharmonic, which is organizing the event, predicts it will be an unforgettable night.
“This town has an amazingly rich music history,” Boucher says. “And it has way more than its share of incredibly talented musicians. We’re bringing a lot of those musicians together to celebrate decades of great Spartanburg music.”
Acts will include out-of-town guests with local roots such as Spartanburg native Marshall Chapman. The singer/songwriter has had her own sign on the Music Trail since 2013.
The Reno Gang, which includes family members of bluegrass great Don Reno, will be in town to pay tribute to the revered banjo player. The Warren Hood Trio, including Warren and Marshall Hood, son and nephew of the late Champ Hood, are coming from Austin to play some Uncle Walt’s Band tunes.
There will be plenty of local talent playing tunes by Music Trail artists. Simone Mack-Orr will bring the songs of 1920s blues great Clara Smith to life. Freddie Vanderford will pay tribute to the legendary Pink Anderson.
The Sparkletones, including original members Wayne Arthur and Jimmy Denton, will play. And Paul Riddle, original drummer with the Marshall Tucker Band, will be on stage to help remember Spartanburg’s most famous band.
From left to right: James Reese, Fayssoux McLean, Peter Cooper
“We’re thrilled to announce that during the show, we’ll be inducting three new artists who’ll be featured on new Music Trail signs,” Boucher says. “We’ll induct Fayssoux McLean, an amazing singer and songwriter, James Reese, a phenomenal trombone player and arranger, and the late Peter Cooper, one of the best music journalists ever. Fayssoux and James will be on stage playing, and Baker Maultsby will play one of Peter’s songs.”
Other Spartanburg Music Trail artists to be honored during the concert include the Rev. Julius Cheeks, Hank Garland, Arthur Prysock, and Ira Tucker.
The Music Trail is a 30-minute downtown walking tour that pays tribute to artists from Spartanburg who have made a national or international impact in the world of music. Markers highlight about twenty artists and Spartanburg’s music heritage. The Spartanburg Philharmonic is the custodian of the Music Trail.
The concert, produced by Randy Foster, is a fundraiser to help replace aging Music Trail signs, add signs honoring new inductees, update the Music Trail’s website, and develop an education component for students and teachers so they can learn about Spartanburg’s inspiring hometown musicians.
Event Details:
Date: October 27th, 2023
Time: 7:30PM
Location: Chapman Cultural Center
Ticket Information: Tickets and further information can be found on the Spartanburg Philharmonic's official website www.spartanburgphilharmonic.org/events/2023/music-trail-live or by contacting the Chapman Box Office at (864-583-2776 ), Tuesday - Thursday: 10am - 2pm, Friday: 10am - 2pm (extended hours on concert days).
Join us for an evening of musical brilliance and artistic exploration as the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra embarks on its 95th Season with a premiere that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.