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Rockabilly coming to Shiloh Park on July 7

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Shiloh National Military Park is hosting its second Concert in the Park for the summer season.

On Saturday, July 7, “rockabilly” music will be performed in a free twilight concert, beginning at 5:30 p.m., on the lawn of the park’s Visitor Center.

“Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, and it originated in this area,” said park Superintendent Dale Wilkerson. “Beginning in the 1950s, artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis started a movement that is alive today. We would like to invite everyone to come out to the park to hear some great music performed by two excellent acts.”

Noted Memphis rockabilly artist Jason D. Williams will headline the show. Known for his energetic performances and boogie-woogie music, Jason D. has been entertaining crowds across America for four decades. His dynamic piano playing and outlandish stage antics have drawn comparisons to Jerry Lee Lewis.

Williams’ career began when he left his home in Arkansas at the age of 16 to play with Sleepy LaBeef in Massachusetts. His solo career began in the 1980s, releasing his first album “Tore Up” on RCA in 1990, and the second “Wild,” which he recorded at Sun Studios in 1993. Since that time he has released four more studio albums including 2014’s “Hillbillies and Holy Rollers.”

One of Jason D’s most famous performances came on the big screen when his hands were filmed for all the piano playing scenes in the movie “Great Balls of Fire.”

Jason D’s music has been called enthusiastic, reckless, stormy rock-and-roll in its natural state, with one paper even calling him the “world’s greatest piano player.” After seeing a live show there will be no doubt why fans and critics alike agree that this dynamic piano player from Memphis has the same innovation and on-the-edge attitude as the original rockabilly performers.

Opening the show will be Jack Curtis in a tribute performance as Elvis Presley. Curtis performed at last year’s concert. Curtis will recreate the energy and excitement of Elvis’s hit songs, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “That’s Alright Mama,” and “Heartbreak Hotel.” Curtis has been performing for more than 20 years, and placed in the top five in the “World Images of Elvis” competition.

Visitors are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets.

There will be a Junior Ranger booth for the kids, which opens at noon and runs through the concert. Kids are invited to earn four different Junior Ranger badges, work on color sheets, get temporary arrowhead tattoos, and dress-up as Civil War soldiers.

The Friends of Shiloh organization will also be on hand to sell soft drinks, water, and snacks.