New acoustic venue – Fiddler’s Loft – opens in Water Valley

OXFORD TOWN – Our community has a vast supply of restaurants and bars that double as music venues. Guests are able to find breakfast, lunch, dinner and a plethora of drinks — not to mention, almost any musical genre. But … where’s a cool, laid back acoustic venue? Introducing Fiddler’s Loft — Water Valley’s newest musical project. Turn to Page 8 in Oxford Town No. 974 to see what’s going on in the Valley these days and learn about an exciting, new concert “barn” that’s featuring The Okratones (pictured here) as entertainment for its grand opening on April 12. (April 13, 2012, Page 8)

Jimmy Phillips releases classic songs on new CD

OXFORD TOWN – Proud Larry’s will host a CD release party tonight (Thursday, April 12) for Jimmy Phillips and the Ruminators with special guests, Rocket 88. Page 9 in Oxford Town No. 974 has details. (April 13, 2012, Page 9)

Oxford Town No. 973

IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE: The Nashville-based blues duo, Scissormen (on the OT cover this week), return to Oxford tonight (April 5) to perform on Thacker Mountain Radio at Off Square Books at 6 and at Two Stick Sushi Bar at 9:30; Elmo & The Shades return to Rooster’s Blues House on Friday, April 6; the Oxford-Lafayette Public Library is hosting a fundraiser on Wednesday, April 11, featuring local art that’ll be up for grabs; UM Museum releases its Brown Bag Lecture Series for spring 2012; Willie Nelson is set for a show at the Lyric Theater on Monday, April 9, and OT columnist Jim Dees has the scoop; and local musician Chad Harris is releasing a new EP (“New Life”) and the Powerhouse is hosting a CD release party for Harris with the proceeds to benefit OLHS. CLICK HERE to download Oxford Town No. 973 in PDF format. (April 5, 2012)

Elmo & The Shades return to Rooster’s Blues House

OXFORD TOWN – Elmo Lee Thomas (pictured here) and his band , Elmo & The Shades, return to Rooster’s Blues House on Friday, April 6. As always, the shows at Rooster’s are free of charge. Turn to Page 3 in Oxford Town No. 973 for information about the show featuring the popular Memphis-based band that can always be counted on for a good rafter shaking at Rooster’s. (April 5, 2012, Page 3)

Chad Harris releases new EP; set for OLHS fundraiser Friday, April 6 

OXFORD TOWN – While the EP won’t officially be released until May, Oxford will get the first chance to enjoy native son Chad Harris’ new album “Burning Daylight” on Friday, April 6, at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center. The CD release party is planned as a fundraiser for OLHS. Turn to Page 12 in Oxford Town No. 973  for details about Harris, his new EP and the upcoming party. (April 5, 2012, Page 12)

Scissormen return to Oxford for two shows tonight (April 5)

OXFORD TOWN –  The smoking hot Nashville-based blues duo, Scissormen, return to Oxford tonight for two shows — Thacker Mountain Radio at Off Square Books at 6 and Two Stick Sushi Bar at 9:30. Page 7 in this week’s issue of Oxford Town – No. 974 – has details about the band and both shows. (April 5, 2012, Page 7)

Oxford Town No. 972

IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE: The Alabama Shakes (on the OT cover) are headed to town tonight (March 29) for a smokin’ hot show at Proud Larry’s and assistant Oxford EAGLE news editor Jeff Eubanks has extensive coverage of the Athens, Ala., rock band; InterACTions returns to the Powerhouse for its third consecutive year; OT lifestyle columnist George Atkins gives area girls the “skinny” about 2012 spring fashion; MTV’s “The Real World” is conducting a casting call at Rooster’s Blues House on April 4; Thacker Mountain Radio visits the “dark side” of the NFL this evening (March 29) at Off Square Books; and Ole Miss Recreation’s Rebel Man Sprint Triathlon splashes off this Saturday at the Turner Center. This year’s race honors fallen athlete and Ole Miss student Kevser Ermin who died tragically on her bike in October of last year. CLICK HERE to download the complete issue in PDF format. (March 29, 2012)

InterACTions returns to the Powerhouse for third year

OXFORD TOWN – InterACTions, Oxford’s third annual arts sampler, will boast its dance (Hinge pictured here), music, art and theatre communities this Saturday (March 31) and everyone is invited to the free event. Turn to Page 3 in Oxford Town No. 972 to learn more about the popular community arts event sponsored by YAC. (March 29, 2012, Page 3)

Whole lotta Alabama Shakes going on

OXFORD TOWN – There was so much to say about the Alabama Shakes that there was no way that we were going to fit it all in Oxford Town this week (No. 972) — from the instant downloads of live tracks available when you pre-order the “Boys & Girls” CD to the bonus 7” album that includes the tracks “Heavy Chevy” and “Pocket Change/Mama” when you pre-order your vinyl copy to the band’s television debut on “Conan.”

(more…) (March 29, 2012)

Oxford Town No. 971

IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE: The “Best Seat In The House” auction benefitting YAC is set for March 27 at the Powerhouse in conjunction with the Oxford Arts Crawl and Oxford’s Got Talent; Thacker Mountain Radio welcomes Bobby Keys, The Chimney Choir and author Michael Thomas to its broadcast at Off Square Books tonight (March 22); Arts Talk columnist Andi Bedsworth introduces the Oxford community to a new exhibit at Bozarts Gallery in Water Valley titled “A Sense of Place: The Landscape Explored”; and a new biography on Craig Claiborne written by author Thomas McNamee is review by Oxford Town contributor Jesse Yancy. CLICK HERE to download the complete issue (No. 971) in PDF format. (March 23, 2012)