After spending nearly 30 years in the Nashville music scene I somehow lost track of what was happening back home in the Miss-Lou music scene.

Now that I’ve come home I am getting a handle on the quality of musicians in this area and the quantity. It is almost surprising how regularly I learn of great musicians, many born after I left here in 1974, and others who were giggin’ long before I was born in 1955. There are many area festivals, events and venues that showcase this talent, and now Ferriday has added another to the thriving Miss-Lou Music Scene, Rock-A-Billy Plaza.

Mayor McGlothin wanted to designate the second Saturday in June, July and August as days we could celebrate our local musicians who continue the musical traditions that grew out of the ever fertile cotton fields of the Miss-Lou. Musicians/bands from both sides of the river have long since been joining forces to create great music in what can and should be called musical regionalism. It worked in the 1940s and you know what, it still works today.

The final Second Saturday Summer Music Series will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Rock-A- Billy Plaza at the corner of First and Texas in downtown Ferriday. This is a covered/shaded outdoor venue with cross breezes and large fans to keep things even cooler. At this free event there will be six church pews provided but lawn chairs are encouraged along with a sack lunch and a cold beverage.

This Second Saturday event showcases the party rock band SCRATCH featuring Cavin “Sniff” Greer — vocals, harmonicas and keyboards, William “Willie Wonka” Atkins — guitars and vocals, Jimmy “Top Jimmy” Stockstill — bass and vocals along with Kevin “Special K” Jowers on drums. They come from both sides of the river and carry along with them that funk factor tradition that can easily be heard in so many area musicians from many generations.

They may all look youthful but don’t be fooled, these guys have worked/toured with artists such as Mickey Gilley, David Allen Coe, Molly Hatchet, Percy Sledge, Fats Domino, Anthony Gomes, Philip Bailey, Bad Company, Guess Who, Pat Travers, Otis Day & The Knights, Mitch Ryder and POCO. Pretty impressive.

The group describes their music as “Heavy on the 80s with a generous helping of the best rock music from the 60s, 70s, 90s and today.”

They are doing their part to carry the torch for the thriving Miss-Lou music scene, you do your part by being a part of the Ferriday Second Saturday Summer Music Series. Bring a chair, bring a friend and bring an itch for some great music. SCRATCH will be there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Rock-A-Billy Plaza in down town Ferriday. Thanks to Concordia Bank for supporting live music in Ferriday.

For more info see www.thebandscratch.com and www.scratchroxx.com

Or phone me at 601-431-6149 tommypolk@hotmail.com.

Tommy Polk is an organizer of the Second Saturday Summer Music Series in Ferriday.