BROWNSVILLE TN (September 19, 2024): Brownsville and Haywood County will celebrate its native daughter September 27-29 during Tina Turner Heritage Days. The event celebrates the 10th anniversary of the opening of Flagg Grove School and brings fans together from all over the world to experience Nutbush and the area where Tina grew up. This year’s activities originate at the Tina Turner Museum on the grounds of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.
“It’s hard to imagine it’s been 10 years since the doors of the restored Flagg Grove School opened as the Tina Turner Museum,” says Sonia Outlaw-Clark, director of the Tina Turner Museum and Delta Heritage Center, “and it’s such a pleasure to welcome fans from across the globe to our rural town and share our culture and musical heritage.”
Fans will have an opportunity to visit Nutbush, take their photos under the “Nutbush – Birthplace of Tina Turner” sign and learn about the music icon’s upbringing during a guided tour of the region on Friday and Saturday. There will also be ample time for fans to get to know each other and share stories throughout the weekend.
Friday evening will include an informal fan gathering with special announcements, fan art recognitions and “Tinaoke,” a special Tina-centric version of Karaoke.
Saturday afternoon’s special guest is Joel Campbell. Campbell served as Tina’s pianist during 3 of her tours and was a part of her 50th Anniversary Tour in 2008-2009. He will share stories and remembrances of his time with Tina through a Zoom call at 2 pm. Fans will be able to ask Campbell questions following the program. He has worked with numerous musicians through the
years and considers Tina’s last tour, and the “This is it” official Michael Jackson tribute tour in 2010 as two high points of his career.
Following Campbell’s presentation at 5 pm, attendees will enjoy viewing never-before-seen footage of the Break Every Rule World Tour produced by that tour’s Sax player Deric Dyer. Dyer was a special guest at last year’s event and put together this video especially for the 2024 Tina Turner Heritage Days. It will be introduced by Dr. Ralph Craig, author of “Dancing in my Dreams: A Spiritual Biography of Tina Turner.” Craig will be on hand all weekend to sign books and answer questions.
Elevation Memphis: A Tina Turner Tribute Experience is back with a special tribute concert Saturday evening beginning at 7:30 pm. Bring your lawn chairs and dancing shoes for this free concert on the grounds of the Tina Turner Museum.
Sunday offers the opportunity for fans to visit Woodlawn Missionary Baptist Church, Tina’s home church, for morning worship services. And a chance to gather at the museum to bid. farewell until next year
The full offerings happening throughout the weekend are:
Friday, September 27
10 a.m. – Nutbush Tour – includes Nutbush, Ripley and the Alex Haley Museum in Henning. Reservations are required. Cost: $45
5:30 p.m. – Fan gathering, special presentations and Tinaoke (Tina karaoke)
Saturday, September 28
9 a.m. & 1 pm – Nutbush Tour. Tour Tina’s childhood communities (Nutbush, former home sites, church, etc.) Limited Seating. Reservations required. Cost: $30
2 p.m. – Zoom with Joel Campbell, pianist during three Tina tours, including her 50th Anniversary Tour. Q&A to follow.
5 p.m. – “Break Every Rule” video premier, with never-before-seen footage, produced by Deric Dyer, saxophonist during the BER tour, and introduced by Dr. Ralph Craig, author of “Dancing in my Dream.”
7:30 p.m. . – Elevation Memphis: A Tina Turner Tribute Experience Concert. Outdoor event; bring your lawn chairs.
Sunday, September 29
8 a.m. – Woodlawn Missionary Baptist Church service (Tina’s former place of worship). Fans may gather at the WTDHC and carpool.
Concessions will be onsite throughout the event. For more information about Tina Turner Heritage Days, visit www.TinaTurnerHeritageDays.com or call the Delta Heritage Center at 731-779-9000. Tickets for tours can be purchased online. All other activities are free, including the concert.
CAPTION: Elevation Memphis, featuring the vocal stylings of Melanie Pierce, will pay tribute to the Queen of Rock during a free special performance of classic and favorite Tina songs Saturday evening, 7:30 at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. The concert is the highlight of Saturday’s activities during Brownsville’s Tina Turner Heritage Days.
About the Center: The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, in Brownsville, offers a refreshing Southern experience showcasing the history and culture of rural West Tennessee. Inside visitors can learn about the history of cotton, explore the scenic and “wild” Hatchie River and get to know the legendary musicians who call West Tennessee home. Also located on the grounds is the Tina Turner Museum at Flagg Grove School, the childhood school of Tina Turner, and the last home of Blues pioneer Sleepy John Estes. An official Tennessee Music Pathways location, the Delta Heritage Center is also a featured stop along the Americana Music Triangle connecting Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans. To learn more about the Center, visit www.westtnheritage.com or call 731-779-9000.