Rural renewal

>> Late-blooming local cult icon Tennessee John

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Sound the trumpets! A certain resident rockabilly/C&W encyclopedia can now join the ranks of the select few and proudly look in the mirror and say, “I, Tennessee John, am a Montreal noisemaker.”
You may remember John from when the Mirror covered the Monday hillbilly nights at the Wheel Club. Apparently the fame went right to this fella’s noggin, by gum, as his hollerin’ and harp-playin’ have now become a permanent fixture at Barfly’s bluegrass nights as well. With sudden local cult fame surrounding him, John insists he is no spring chicken. “Back in the ’40s, I would sit in record stores for three hours just memorizing liner notes for rockabilly records. I just play because I love the music and if I can help somebody get interested in this music, then I’m happy.” Congratulations, Tennessee John, you have arrived! :