Delta Country Jam 2013: We’ve Been Waiting for You

11 years ago Liv Carter Comments Off on Delta Country Jam 2013: We’ve Been Waiting for You

Tim McGraw 4

One week ago today, I was preparing for the first ever Delta Country Jam in Tunica, MS. Having lived in the Memphis area my entire life, I was overjoyed that we finally had a country music festival nearby.

Memphis is overflowing with musical history. Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis all began their careers at Sun Studios. Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and Isaac Hayes graced the recording rooms at Stax. Blues legend B.B. King gained fame on Memphis airwaves.

However, sometimes our city’s love for country music is overshadowed by that “crazy town full of neon dreams” (to quote Jason Aldean) down the road. I’m talking about Nashville.

I remember hearing about Delta Country Jam quite some time ago. I sent out a tweet regarding my love of country music shows and, to my surprise, the Tunica Convention and Visitor’s Bureau responded. Their response informed me of plans for a country music festival in 2013. I was excited, but also skeptical about whether or not the plans would come to fruition.

A year later, much to my excitement, it actually happened. Last Friday and Saturday, I made the thirty-or-so minute drive down to Tunica to see acts such as Tim McGraw, Brantley Gilbert, Billy Currington, Randy Houser, Kellie Pickler, Thompson Square and Drake White.

I’m not here to give you a play-by-play of performances or a rundown of set lists. I’m not here to tell you about the food, the beer, or the merch. I feel as though that’s been done and, frankly, all of those things don’t translate well.

Unless you’re at the festival to enjoy them for yourself, those things don’t truly matter.

What I am here to tell you is that Delta Country Jam was one of the best music festivals I’ve attended to date and, being the music lover that I am, I have attended quite a few. The artists and the people were some of the nicest, most genuine people I’ve ever met.

Festival attendees were truly there to have a good time – and they did just that. It was all about the music and the company. One of the reasons I love country music is because it brings people together. It’s familiar and warm. It’s idyllic. All of those things were reflected during the duration of the festival.

The location was picturesque with a backdrop of haystacks and rolling farmlands. For you gamblers, a casino or two may have been nearby as well. The weather was beautiful. It wasn’t too hot or too cold. The rain stayed away until the very last performances and, hey, we barely noticed. We were too busy watching Tim McGraw’s arms… I mean, Tim McGraw.

I’m forever grateful to those who brought Delta Country Jam to the Memphis area. We’ve been missing something like this for quite some time and I look forward to next year.

Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
Liv Carter

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