Jimmie Lunceford - Marker Dedication

It was a very hot and humid Saturday in Fulton for the Jimmie Lunceford marker dedication in front of City Hall, but by all accounts everyone was pleased with the event.  There is some serious discussion about the possibility of a local music festival in Lunceford's honor, and hopefully this will come to fruition.   The Itawamba County Development Council and the Lunceford Committee did a great job in planning the event and was commended by Alex Thomas, program manager for the Mississippi Blues Trail Commission who was in town for the ceremony.  Following a warm welcome by Shawn Green, and an original poem written and read by poet Patricia Neely-Dorsey, my husband Mike gave a delightful and entertaining speech about our county's musical heritage and Alderman Hayward Wilson spoke regarding the Jimmie Lunceford legacy.   Although the Itawamba County-born Lunceford lived only 45 years, his innovative style of music has made a huge impact throughout the world.  He was widely successful during his time, and big band leaders such as Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman credited Lunceford as being one of the best in the business.