Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/354806
8 JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2014 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Bobby Joe Swilley, the not-so-hidden treasure Fayetteville has to offer to the music world, is originally from Brandon, Mississippi. Swilley was recently inducted into the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame which is located in Jackson, Tennessee. The museum takes pride in featuring the most influential artists in music history. Rockabilly is a musical blend of gospel, country and blues. Swilley's office is covered in pictures and memorabilia from some of his impressive musical encounters. He has played with several bands, but has played with the same 10 guys for the past 50 years. They travel to meet each other to create music together. The musicians are all from different places in the U.S but still manage to make time for their first love, music. Swilley is known for his rhythm on the drums and his song-writing skills. He entered a song-writing com- petition in 2002 for the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame and, with all the given criteria they were asking for, he won. His song, was chosen from several international applicants to be the theme song for the Hall of Fame. Swilley grew up the youngest in a family of six kids, all of whom had natural musical talent. His mother played piano at the Baptist church they attended and he remembers vividly the family gatherings where all they did or wanted to do was play music and sing together. One of his fondest memories was being asked to sing along with the teenage choir with his sister, who was eight years older than him, and him holding the book upside down. It didn't matter though because he knew the entire Baptist songbook by heart. As a young child he knew music was going to be a way of life for him. "I had a God-given talent as a drummer, a natural feel for it," said Swilley. The very first albums he ever owned were Johnny Cash, BB King, Elvis Presley, Jimmy Reed, Howling Wolf, and Meryl Haggard but credits Ray Charles and Chuck Berry for his inspiration. Swilley joined his first band as a drummer at the age of 17, with Jimmie Am- mons and Delta Records. Swilley recorded some songs in the Delta Records studio as well as with Sun Records, founded by Sam Philips -- better known as the guy who discovered Elvis. "One of my most memorable musi- cal moments, besides being inducted into the Hall of Fame, would have to be recording at Sun Records. I was there with the giants, where all these other amazing artists have been, playing on the same sets of people I'd grown up listening to," said Swilley. Another memorable moment Swilley spoke about was breaking a world record in 2001. He, along with 52 other drummers, played the same song on a full set of drums. That song was "Blue Suede Shoes." They played it at the same time, in the same place, breaking the standing record. Along- side of him during this amazing life experience was Johnny Cash's drummer, Stan Perkins. Swilley, who turns 70 in September, has led a life full of experiences most of us can only dream of, but encourages those who have what it takes, "You only get one chance — take it. Don't have regrets." He hopes to one day be able to play at Viva Las Vegas and especially, the Grand Ole Opry. Swilley also expressed how much he would enjoy playing at the Dogwood Festival or even at a 4th Friday, something local, for his guys to get together here. Swilley will play at the Rockabilly Festival in Jackson, Tennessee at the Oman Arena on August 7, 8, and 9. That's three whole nights of incredible music with ticket prices starting at around $50. This is an international event, with bands coming from all over the globe and dancing is strongly encouraged. It will be worth the short drive to Jack- son, Tennessee to see our favorite singing drummer, and recent Hall of Fame inductee, and show our support as his Fayetteville family. For more information, call (731) 425-8580 or email info@cityof- jackson.net. Visit the Rockabilly Hall of Fame at www.rockabilly- hall.org. NICOLE BELCH, Intern. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. 910.484.6200. Local Musician Set to Perform at Rockabilly Festival by NICOLE BELCH F A Y E T T E V I L L E of 2 0 11 Update Inside VOLUME 16 ISSUE 37 VOLUME 16 ISSUE 37 SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2011 SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2011 First Annual Renaissance Fair INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Downtown Developments Senior Corner FTCC Celebrating 50 Years ANNUAL EDITION Save The Issue More at www.upandcomingweekly.com Inside Update Inside UPDATE INSIDE Home Instead Senior Care Focus On Fayetteville Cumberland Matters WCLN Unique Visions Folkart at SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2013 SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2013 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 37 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 37 Kiwanis Golf Tournament To Benefit ),:;6- -(@,;;,=033, (>(9+: FAYETTEVILLE'S LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 2014 Best of Fayetteville Special Edition Coming Sept. 17, 2014 ATTENTION LOCAL BUSINESSES...NEED CUSTOMERS? Advertise & promote your business all year long effectively and affordably! UP & COMING WEEKLY'S Advertise, market and promote your business in the most popular, most read edition of the year! RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY! For more information rates and deadlines call (910) 484-6200 or visit our website at www.upandcomingweekly.com. SPECIAL EDITION Published, Distributed and Online in the Fayetteville, Ft. Bragg and Cumberland County area ALL YEAR! Bobby Joe Swilley Inside Update Inside UPDATE INSIDE Home Instead Senior Care Cumberland Matters Focus on Fayetteville INSIDE VOLUME 15 ISSUE 14 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 14 APRIL 7-13, 2010 APRIL 7-13, 2010 You're A Good Man Charlie Brown at FSU www .fa y ett evillebeautiful.com Fayetteville Beautiful It Starts with You. Fayetteville Beautiful It Starts with You. APRIL 7-13, 2010 APRIL 7-13, 2010 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 14 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 14 Cumberland County Library Presents The Big Read 2010 Up & Coming Weekly's Pocket Guide Pocket Guide VOL. 10 www.upandcomingweekly.com Now Online! F R E E F R E E HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! CAMP GUIDE INSIDE! HEY! THIS PAPER BELONGS TO : PROUDLY SPONSORED BY FUN FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE OF CUMBERLAND & HOKE CO.• MAY 2010 3 Pocket Guide ReasonsÊto marketÊand advertiseÊyour businessÊwithÊus! NowÊonline:Ê www.upandcomingweekly.com Call 484-6200