Spartanburg is a city filled with rich, musical history and celebrates musicians who have left a mark on the music industry through its downtown Music Trail.
The Music Trail commences at the intersection of Main and South Daniel Morgan Avenue and concludes at the Chapman Cultural Center.
Celebrate Spartanburg’s music history with “Music Trail Live!”, produced by Randy Foster. This production, presented by Spartanburg Philharmonic, will highlight a variety of genres including gospel, country, bluegrass and more. “Music Trail Live” will be held Friday, Oct. 27 at the Chapman Cultural Center, located at 200 E. St John St., from 7:30 until 10 p.m. Tickets are available to purchase here.
Music Trail Live highlights musicians, raises funds
Music Trail Live will do more than just highlight musicians of Spartanburg. The production is also a way to fundraise for the music trail by repairing and replacing old markers and adding more educational components about Hub City’s music history.
There are currently 20 music markers on the trail. Some of these include the Marshall Tucker Band, whose records garnered national acclaim with their hit songs “Can’t You See” and “Heard It in a Love Song.”
“Queen of the Moaners,” also known as Clara Smith, is also featured on the Music Trail. Smith was one of the most notable blues singers in the 1920s, where she produced “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down,” “Awful Moanin’ Blues,” and 121 other songs that she recorded for Columbia Records.
“Spartanburg has an incredibly rich music history. For nearly two centuries, it’s been a place that has produced ground-breaking artists,” said John Cribb, a Spartanburg Philharmonic board member and local historian. “We want to make the Music Trail a more prominent part of downtown Spartanburg. The concert is a fundraiser that will help us replace all the Music Trail signs, add new artists, revamp the Trail’s website and add an education component for students and teachers so they can learn about these inspiring hometown musicians.”
Three musicians will also be inducted into the Music Trail: James Reese, Fayssoux McLean and the late Peter Cooper.
“Early” is one of McLean’s first albums, which features Emmylou Harris on harmonies while also showcasing the talents of Ricky Skaggs and Lloyd Green.
“Spartanburg was always a musical town,” McLean said. “I didn’t really sing out loud because I was so shy, but that changed when I was married to John Starling. John Starling went downtown and saw Emmylou Harris (in the early 1970’s), and brought her back home, so we sang with each other until three in the morning. That was the beginning.”
“Music Trail Live!” acts will include Spartanburg native and indie rocker, Marshall Chapman, The Reno Gang, who are family members of bluegrass musician, Don Reno and Simone Mack-Orr, who will bring the songs of Clara Smith to life.
McLean will also be among the performers, alongside Foster. She said that she’s honored to be included in the Music Trail, along with her other friends.
“I’m just so honored and delighted,” McLean said. “I’m with friends who are already inducted. It’s all a part of Spartanburg and the South.”
Joanna Johnson covers community news for the Herald-Journal. Reach her via email at [email protected].