Secrets of the South Songwriters Series featuring Cary Laine, Katie Jones & Summerlyn Powers
By Johnny Cole
Photos by Stephen Anderson
On the evening of Thursday, September 28, 2023, The Parlour On Lorraine was the setting for the inaugural “Secrets of the South Songwriters Series,” a live music event featuring three talented songwriters: Cary Laine, Katie Jones, and Summerlyn Powers.
The “Secrets of the South Songwriters Series,” promoted by Terry McCormack and TFM Entertainment is the year-old brainchild of McCormack and Laine. It has the potential to become one of the more popular additions to the coast music scene. This most recent event was a huge success. All those in attendance were noticeably having a wonderful time while listening to the three gifted ladies, who recently also performed their originals at the Mississippi Songwriters Festival in venues located across Ocean Springs and Gautier, Mississippi.
The Parlour on Lorraine, the location of the event, is an exclusive and intimate micro-event venue located at 8910 Lorraine Road in Gulfport, Mississippi, which opened earlier this year. The stylishly designed business, founded by Kristie McCready and Shay Woodward, provides the Gulf Coast with a unique and intimate setting for a variety of things including occasions to spotlight singer-songwriters.
Top photo: “Secrets of the South Songwriters Series” featuring Cary Laine, Katie Jones, and Summerlyn Powers; above photo: The Parlour on Lorraine, the site of “Secrets of the South Songwriters Series”
In June of this year, The Southland Music Line spotlighted Cary Laine’s latest EP Rebel Rose in our article Cary Laine: Brand New Music in 2023. We have known Cary for many years and have featured her in several articles and photo collections. She has long been recognized for her talent as one of the area’s premiere songsmiths with deeply authentic country music vocals.
Katie Jones, a much-loved singer-songwriter from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, has been on our radar for the past few years. She has performed at several of the best and most famous live music venues on the coast including The Julep Room, the landmark venue that was once frequented by Elvis Presley. Katie’s upcoming acoustic EP Gray Ave, recorded with Jesse Hill Music at 1600 Studios at The Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center in Ocean Springs, will be available on all platforms on November 3rd.
Earlier on the day of this inaugural event, we did our second photo shoot with Summerlyn Powers, whose latest EP entitled The Hive is celebrating its official release at The Basement in Nashville, Tennessee on October 5. In 2021, she was the subject of one our most popular articles of that year, Summerlyn Powers – Heartfelt Songs & Creative Expressions. We were first introduced to Summerlyn at The Mississippi Songwriters Festival when she was in her early teens. She is now a graduate of Belmont University and receiving high praise from both music fans and critics from across the country.
The promotional poster shared online by TFM Entertainment for the recent event at The Parlour on Lorraine
The unforgettable night provided an excellent opportunity for the songwriters to introduce their original material with the stories behind each song. It was evident that there was a definite rapport or harmonious relationship between the performers and all those in attendance, which is always nice.
Several have asked us about any similarities between this songwriter showcase and shows at The Peoples Room of Mobile, Alabama, The Lobby Lounge in Slidell, Louisiana, or The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm in Silverhill, Alabama which promote the listening room experience. Well, there are certainly similar elements to those places mentioned and this exciting new showcase held at The Parlour. However, differences can be a good thing, too. If showcasing the music is given a front and center position, the primary goal, these types of settings can work and be thoroughly enjoyed by the performer and audience. One of the best things that we enjoyed about the Secrets of the South Songwriters Series was its welcoming environment and strong presence from local musicians who were in attendance.
We here on the Gulf Coast can promote the Secrets of the South Songwriters Series by attending upcoming shows and spreading the word to friends. We congratulate the Secrets of the South Songwriters Series and look forward to future shows.
“Secrets of the South Songwriters Series,” featuring Cary Laine, Katie Jones, and Summerlyn Powers.
Chris Andersen (from the Rougarous) and John Carter (from J.C. & The Gamblers) opened the show.
Haleigh Colbet with Adam Cook (from the Katie Jones Band) was an added guest at end of show.
The Parlour on Lorraine in Gulfport, MS, site of the Secrets of the South Songwriters Series
Links:
TFM Entertainment
The Parlour on Lorraine
Cary Laine
Katie Jones
Summerlyn Powers
Related Articles:
Summerlyn Powers – Heartfelt Songs & Creative Expressions
Cary Laine: Brand New Music in 2023
Page Designed & Edited by Johnny Cole
Additional Editing by Deborah Chatham
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