The Return of the Cathead Jam Music Festival
By Johnny Cole
Photos by Stephen Anderson
After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the annual Cathead Jam held in downtown Jackson, Mississippi returned this June for two days of music and fun with a mission. The event was brought to us by the non-profit Dreamnote Foundation. All profits from the festival are being used to advance the noble mission of raising money for underprivileged kids K-12 throughout the city of Jackson and the state of Mississippi for arts and music programs. This festival represents a fine example of when music, community, and event organizers come together for a great cause.
Research has shown how music education and training can benefit children in numerous ways, including improved mental health and self-esteem, as well as, increased attentiveness and perseverance. The mission of the Dreamnote Foundation is one to be admired and appreciated.
This year’s Cathead Jam, held on the grounds of Cathead Distillery on June 2nd and 3rd, featured a stellar lineup of outstanding live entertainment. The first day of the event featured the Epic Funk Brass Band, the Grammy-nominated Cimafunk, and one of today’s best jam bands, Goose. Saturday kicked off with mega-talented Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Austin’s very own The Band of Heathens, the Grammy-nominated Larkin Poe, the Americana Music Award-winning Shakey Graves, and The Flaming Lips, the multiple Grammy-winning band who always have a few surprises for their loyal fanbase.
Several locally-owned restaurants and businesses provided an array of awesome food at this year’s festival. Craft brews from the Jackson-based Fertile Ground Beer Co., and craft cocktails made with Cathead Distillery’s line of small-batch spirits were on site and enjoyed by those in attendance.
This was Southland Music Line’s first time attending the annual Jackson event. We couldn’t have had a better time. We enjoyed visiting with several longtime friends and hopefully made a few new ones, too. It was also great seeing Larkin Poe again. Personally, I have seen Rebecca and Megan Lovell many times across the country which dates to when they were performing as The Lovell Sisters, a group who also featured their older sister. Larkin Poe has been featured in several articles and photo collections at The Southland Music Line. We have previously written about and photographed the majority of those performing at this year’s Cathead Jam, where they all sounded incredible, possibly better than ever!
We want to thank everyone at Cathead Jam, the Dreamnote Foundation, Ardenland, Cathead Distillery, and the city of Jackson for such a wonderful experience. We can’t wait for next year’s event.
Cathead Distillery
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
Next Page >
1 | 2 | 3
Page Designed & Edited by Johnny Cole
Additional Editing by Deborah Chatham
© The Southland Music Line. 2023.
All rights reserved
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: We welcome requests for permission to use content from The Southland Music Line website and Facebook page. Any shared articles or photos may not be altered, edited nor cropped and must include the appropriate copyrights of The Southland Music Line.