A gallery guide for "Virginia Rocks! The History of Rockabilly in the Commonwealth" is now available to compliment the exhibit on display at the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum on the Ferrum College campus.

Roddy Moore, director of the BRI, said the guides were received from the printer last week and will be available until the exhibit closes the end of May.

"From here, the exhibit will move to the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond," he said.

The guide gives a visitor "something to take home" after viewing the exhibit, which features Virginia musicians who influenced the new trend...a blend of rock 'n' roll and hillbilly music.

Notable Virginians playing roles in the new sound that lasted through the 1950s include Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps; Janis Martin, the female Elvis; Roy Clark; Jim Eanes and the Shenandoah Valley Boys; Wayne Newton; Moon Mullins; The Dazzlers; and Patsy Cline.

Vincent and his band were the most successful of the Virginia rockabilly artists. In 1956, Presley pulled ahead of a talented group of Rockabilly performers, including Vincent. Presley's big hits that year included "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel."

In addition to the gallery guide, the exhibit also has available a CD set that features 61 cuts by rockabilly artists, along with an 80-page booklet about the music.

For more information on the exhibit,
call the BRI and Museum at 365-4412 or email bri@ferrum.edu.

http://www.thefranklinnewspost.com/article.cfm?ID=15941

Thanks Pearly!

Et bien la Virginie honore ses natifs du Rockabilly en ce moment! Janis a recu des honeurs le mois dernier.. la une expo par dessus tout ca! SUPER!!

C'est sympa a savoir.. si des fois on prend la route de la Virginie, ce serait interessant a voir.. Si ils gardent cet expo pendant un moment...