The Blue Flame is no longer standing and the memories of the time when it hosted legendary Blues musicians have begun to fade. Located near present-day WKBL Drive in Covington, the nightclub was once the place where B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Rufus Thomas and Little Milton played. Their appearances in Covington in the late 1940s are corroborated in Sebastian Danchin’s … [Read more...] about Covington once hosted Blues legends B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland and Muddy Waters
Black History
John Edwards is on a mission to preserve Tipton County’s African-American history
John Edwards has been busy lately. On top of being re-elected to the Covington Board of Mayor and Aldermen late last year, the second-generation public servant is on a mission to preserve Tipton County’s African-American history before it’s too late. “We have to ensure there will be some record going forward,” he said. Edwards has built a website called Tipton County … [Read more...] about John Edwards is on a mission to preserve Tipton County’s African-American history
After WWII, Tipton County’s Black veterans founded their own American Legion post
The soldiers who came home after World War I were tired, traumatized and many felt out-of-place given what they had been through – even in their hometowns – places which should have been welcoming and familiar. A small group of World War I war-weary veterans grew their idea of focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and their families to become one of the most … [Read more...] about After WWII, Tipton County’s Black veterans founded their own American Legion post
Men of Valor: A Tipton County Museum exhibit honors the Wakefield and Wherry brothers
A family’s legacy - a torch of honor and patriotism - which started with a father and uncles serving in the United States Navy and Army during World War II, was passed down to sons and now grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It is a fitting honor for the Wakefield and Wherry descendants of the enslaved and sharecroppers. Oldest son, William Thomas “Tommy” Wakefield, … [Read more...] about Men of Valor: A Tipton County Museum exhibit honors the Wakefield and Wherry brothers
Brighton and Munford elect their first Black aldermen
On Tuesday, the Town of Brighton and the City of Munford elected the first Black aldermen in each town’s history. In Brighton, former police officer Sonny Foster earned the second-most votes in the race where four aldermen are elected. In Munford, Deborah Reed ran as a write-in candidate and was elected to fill the third of three seats up for grabs. They are only two of four of … [Read more...] about Brighton and Munford elect their first Black aldermen
There are plans in the works to ask for the removal of Covington’s Confederate statue
With his sword drawn, he’s been standing in memory of Confederate soldiers for more than a century. But will he be proudly standing 100 years from now? Not if Matthew Pryor has anything to say about it. “I think it represents a painful past, it brings a lot of ill feelings back,” he said. “I think it needs to go.” Pryor was one of the organizers of the Unity Walk in Covington … [Read more...] about There are plans in the works to ask for the removal of Covington’s Confederate statue
A look back at Covington’s only-known Juneteenth celebration
[metaslider id="5813"] Juneteenth has entered the mainstream discussion lately after several states have decided to observe it as a holiday. Tennessee is considering doing the same. But what is Juneteenth? The holiday commemorates the abolition of slavery and falls on the anniversary of its announcement in Texas on June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation … [Read more...] about A look back at Covington’s only-known Juneteenth celebration
See photos from Covington’s Unity Walk
[metaslider id="8039"] A Unity Walk took place in Covington on Sunday, June 14. It was a peaceful event to show solidarity with the national movement following the death of George Floyd last month. “We are bringing awareness to social justice, police brutality, racism and, most importantly, equality,” said Queisha Harris, one of the event’s organizers. Harris said the walk … [Read more...] about See photos from Covington’s Unity Walk
