Inaugural Blue Suede Rockabilly Weekend this week

This weekend marks a new chapter in Jackson history as Visit Jackson TN and B3 Creative are teaming up to create the inaugural Blue Suede Rockabilly Weekend.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of when Carl Perkins recorded his legendary hit, “Blue Suede Shoes,” that was apparently written after he performed here in Jackson and saw a man scolding his date for scuffing his blue suede shoes while they danced - according to a story told by Perkins’ son, Stan, when he performed the song at Madison County’s 200th birthday celebration in 2021.

But it’s also meant as a way to not only honor the legacy of Perkins himself, but Rockabilly music as a genre and Jackson’s musical heritage in different genres of music.

Some events are free. For the ones that aren’t, tickets are available at bluesuedeweekend.com.

Here’s a look at the weekend’s schedule for Friday through Sunday:

Available any time:

Blue Suede Trail - this is a list of businesses throughout Downtown Jackson that will have specials connected to the weekend celebration

Rockabilly Mural Scavenger Hunt - There are at least 10 murals in Downtown Jackson that has some item or person in them connected to Rockabilly Music. Log onto bluesuedeweekend.com to download the list to search for.

Friday

7 p.m. - VIP Matchbox Mixer - tickets are selling out fast for the concert in this new Downtown event venue (tickets available online).

Saturday

8 a.m. - Bunny Run Car Show at Jackson Baseball Stadium (4 Fun Place off Exit 85 in North Jackson)

8:30 a.m. - Free trolley transportation begins from Downtown Jackson to the car show where the Jackson Rockabillys play baseball

9 a.m. - Rockabilly Story Time at Turntable Coffee Counter (kids’ activity)

10 a.m. - Carl Perkins Q&A - The Carnegie Center for Arts and History (305 East College Street in Downtown Jackson) (tickets available online)

10 a.m. - Music with Alice - theLOCAL at the corner of Shannon and Lafayette (kids’ activity)

11 a.m. - Tours of Carl Perkins Collection - The Carnegie Center for Arts and History on College Street

1 p.m. - Vintage Vendors - Hub City Brewing (250 West Main Street in Downtown Jackson)

Music lineup at Hub City Brewing (tickets available online)

1:30 p.m. - Wyly Bigger

3 p.m. - Kyle Lacy Band

4 p.m. - Pin-up contest

5 p.m. - The Mighty Flea Circus

6:30 p.m. - Line dance class

7:15 p.m. - end of Artwork Silent Auction

7:30 p.m. - LOLO

Sunday

1:30 p.m. - Carl Perkins Documentary Screening - HPAC on the campus of the University of Memphis at Lambuth (220 Maple Street in Midtown Jackson) (Tickets available online)

2 p.m. - Indigo on the Patio - Garner Blue Shop & Studio (7 Jackson Walk Plaza in Downtown Jackson)