This 55-minute interactive presentation is usually presented to the entire student body in an assembly setting. Through a program that includes 12 hit R&B songs, three musician-educators teach students about the musical roots of R&B music, the effects of changes in technology during the 1940s - 1960s on popular music, the concepts of the Billboard record charts, "crossover" by a record, and "cover" songs, the phenomenon of television dance shows and fad dances, how R&B music affected interaction between young white and black fans and helped to establish s receptive base among young Americans for the civil rights movement, the importance of Tennessee R&B artists and independent record labels, the styles of popular music (soul and rock 'n' roll) that evolved from R&B music.
Throughout the show audience participation is encouraged. The musician-educators ask students to answer questions, to sing along, and to learn some of the fad dances from the 1960s. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has generously loaned some of the vintage video footage from its "Night Train to Nashville" exhibit for use in the program. Hopefully students and teachers will also be able to visit that exhibit (March 2004 - December 2005) to learn more about the R&B scene in Nashville.
James "Nick" Nixon and Shannon "Bayou" Williford are well known throughout the Metro Nashville Public Schools system for their award-winning interactive workshop about blues music, "What Did the Blues Do for You?" These two musician-educators, and Casey Lutton (another veteran musician-educator) are responsible for the presentations of "R&B in Tennessee." James Nixon, who grew up in Nashville, has direct knowledge of the history of R&B in the minority community, and has personally connections to many of the musicians active during the 1940-1970 time period.
The educational materials and program commentary were developed by Buffy Holton (MEd, Vanderbilt, 1997) who has developed educational material on blues music. The educational materials are provided to teachers 4 to 6 weeks prior to the interactive presentations. Teachers can use the background information and activity suggestions to prepare students for the presentation or to follow-up afterwards.
Carol Crittenden, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator for Metro Nashville Public Schools has expressed her support for "R&B in Tennessee" and welcomes it into Nashville's schools.
For grades 5-12.
COMMENTS FROM ATTENDEES:
"Outstanding program! I would like for our students and teachers to participate again next year." -- Karen Bryant, Principal, J.F. Kennedy Middle School
"Excellent program! Super students and teacher interactions!" -- Frances Gaffell, Third Grade teacher, Carter-Lawrence Elementary School
"Outstanding presentation -- students were really engaged. Adults were even more engaged! You know that you are always welcome at Bellevue. Give all the guys a hug from the kids!" -- John Duckworth, Principal, Bellevue Middle School
| Learn about our other programs by clicking on these links | Swamp Stories for grades K-4 |
This Song Is Our Song for grades K-6 |
| What Did the Blues
Do for You? for grades K-8 |
Música de la Gente for grades K-8 |
Playin' the Blues for grades 3-8 |