Eric Hughes Band and Eddie Smith Band play benefit for Millington flood victims by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms
(Memphis, Tennessee) On Thursday, May 27, of this week J.W. and the Outlaws, the Eric Hughes Band and my friend, Eddie Smith, and his fine country band played a benefit at Neil's on Madison Avenue in Memphis for flood victims of Millington, Tennessee. For those of you who do not know, a tremendous amount of rain fell in the mid-south a couple of weeks ago and some tornadoes also blew through the area, killing 9 people. In Memphis, tornado warning sirens blew for almost 3 solid days and the Beale Street Memphis in May Music Festival was closed early on Saturday night and festival goers evacuated.
In Millington, just north of Memphis, a levee broke and families were evacuated by boat from their homes. A fire truck on an emergency call was turned on its side by rushing waters and the firefighters forced to climb to the top of the overturned truck to wait to be rescued by boat. The damage was so extensive that the area was declared a disaster area. The Navy base was closed as a result of flooding. After several days of rain, some areas were actually flooded twice. Only a tiny percentage of those affected had flood insurance.
Eddie Smith
Donated items for the silent auction
My friend, Richard, engineers the sound at Neil's every night
guitar virtuoso Buddy Church strings up a Telecaster
Buddy plays with the Eddie Smith Band
Buddy Church plays with Eddie Smith's fine band
Fox 13's Tom Dees and Eric Hughes
Fox 13 sponsored this event
Belo Page
J.W. & the Outlaws take the stage
J.W. Williams sings and Allman Brothers tune
J. W. & the Outlaws
Belo Page on the Les Paul
Jumping James Cunningham and Memphis Mike Forrest
of the Eric Hughes Band check out the auction items
Leo Goff of the Eric Hughes Band belts out a William Clark tune
Eric entertains the ladies
Eric Hughes, Leo Goff
Memphis Mike Forrest
Eric Hughes' CD, "Two in the Morning," on which I was fortunate to play, is also soon to be released by I55 and both records will be available on itunes within a few days. I have been lucky to have played on many sessions for the label including "My Inspiration," by Willie Foster and Fred Sanders' soon-to-be-released album.
Eddie Smith and Jack Holder
great musicians and even better friends
After Eric Hughes set, I asked Eddie Smith if I could sit in with his band and he graciously let me do so. I had a pure blast playing Hammond organ and a little piano along with this seasoned band. We played everything from Charlie Rich to modern country to originals and I had too much fun. Thanks for letting me play, guys!
Buddy Church
my old friend, Eddie Smith, a fine vocalist and guitarist
BancorpSouth is accepting donations for the flood victims in Millington.
Items needed:
Towels, cleaning supplies, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, feminine products, clothes, paper towels, toilet paper, dish detergent, mops, brooms, etc.
These items will be donated to the Millington Crisis Center and First Baptist Church of Millington and will be distributed to the flood victims in need.
Donations can be dropped off at BancorpSouth Millington location between the hours of 8:30-4:00 Monday through Friday.
BancorpSouth Bank
8146 Highway 51 N.
Millington, TN 38053
901-872-2751
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