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The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Friday, July 7, 2023
Doors open at 7pm | Show begins at 7:30pm
Tickets: SOLD OUT

Join Mark Edgar Stuart, Keith Sykes, and Jimmy Davis for an old-fashioned song swap in the Green Room at Crosstown Arts!

Mark Edgar Stuart

Mark Edgar Stuart has toured and played on dozens of critically-acclaimed records including an appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman.” With little fuss or fanfare he became the go-to bass player for an elite group of record producers and artists. His no-nonsense style always played a supporting role that was close to the spotlight, but not too close… Cancer changes things, and so does losing your father. When all of these things happened in rapid succession Mark took some time to heal, and reevaluate. In 2010 He put down his bass, picked up a guitar, and started writing songs he never thought anybody outside his family would ever hear. It’s possible nobody ever would have heard them either, if not for the encouragement of his colleagues. His debut album earned him “Record Of The Year” by the Memphis Flyer. Soon he was opening for all his heroes including Leon Russell, Tony Joe White, Levon Helm, and Billy Joe Shaver. Grammy-winning music writer/director Robert Gordon is a big fan, often spinning Mark’s tracks on his weekly radio show, and other critics agree: “His acerbic wit is reminiscent of John Prine and Randy Newman” (No Depression); “His wry, cutting view of the world makes something old new again” (Paste); “Always maintaining a tender demeanor, his songwriting is smart as it is sincere” (Pop Matters). Quick-witted, empathetic, and self-deprecating, aloof but probably alert of the room tone, most folks will find themselves compatible with Mark Edgar Stuart, whose complementary musicality and contagiously honest voice showcase a resilient and relaxed artist, both sage and seasoned.

You’ll have a tough time finding a more widely-embraced modern singer-songwriter in Memphis

Keith Sykes

Once upon a time in the summer of 1967, Keith Sykes hitchhiked to the Newport Folk Festival and saw Arlo Guthrie perform “Alice’s Restaurant.” In the fall of that year he got a copy of the album, learned the whole song and sang it at a Holiday Inn in Charleston, South Carolina. They hired him on the spot for a regular gig playing music in the hotel. It’s pretty perfect that such a rambling tale should be at the start of Keith’s own rambling tale – in the more than 40 years that followed, he would become a troubadour and storyteller, a massively successful songwriter with more than 100 songs recorded by artists as diverse as Rosanne Cash and George Thorogood. He would tour every corner of America and play in just about every conceivable kind of venue, appear on Saturday Night Live and Austin City Limits, and host songwriter nights on Memphis’ legendary Beale Street with many of music’s most talented songwriters. He would join Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, tour the country and record the Volcano album – the title track for which he co-wrote with Jimmy. To date, recordings of Keith’s songs have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide. With 13 full-length albums released – and great success with his own publishing company, credited with signing John Kilzer to Geffen Records and the discovery of Todd Snider – Keith Sykes has proven to be nothing short of prolific.

Jimmy Davis

Jimmy Davis’ songs have been recorded by Martina McBride, Restless Heart, Tommy Alverson, Reba Russell, Walt Wilkins, as well as a myriad of other recording artists. As a backing vocalist, Jimmy has lent his extensive vocal talents to projects by numerous recording artists including, The North Mississippi Allstars, Jim Dickinson, Johnny Lang, Bernie Leadon, Keith Sykes, Michael Hearne, Toy Caldwell, Susan Marshall, Mark Collie and William Lee Golden. It’s Jimmy’s warmth, charisma and talent as a writer – performer that endear him to his well known peers. In the early 1980’s Jimmy began touring with the country recording artist, Charly McClain, as a rhythm guitar player and backing vocalist. In 1987, Jimmy Davis & Junction signed with MTV’s QMI/MCA record label. The band’s first release “Kick the Wall” yielded a top 40 AOR hit and a hit MTV Video. Junction was renowned for their live performances, and their songs took the band on a wild, rock and roll ride around the world. Aching to get back to his roots, Jimmy, headed back to Memphis in 1995 and had the pleasure of hooking up with some of his old buddies, The Riverbluff Clan, a rocking bluegrass outfit from the 70’s. With Jimmy on lead vocals and guitar, the band released two critically-acclaimed independent albums, in 1996, “One Night In A Month of Sunday’s” and 1998, “Two Quarts Low” an Americana Top 20 record. Jimmy was named “Premier Male Vocalist” five times by the Memphis chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and was well loved by local audiences.

Refund policy:

Tickets may be refunded up to 72 hours in advance.

Tickets for shows that are cancelled will be refunded.

In the case of a postponed show, tickets will be refunded upon request, otherwise tickets will automatically be transferred to the new date.