MUSIC
A Night (And a Day) of Music: Flowood Flea Market Hosts ‘Singing for the Kids’
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by taylor McKay Hathorn
March 3 - 30, 2021 • jfp.ms
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courtesy till & Ferren
self-proclaimed “nickel-and-dime shows together for nearly a year, bringing musician,” Robert Ferren joins forces audiences across central Mississippi as they with Phillip Till to host a round-thecover songs from John Prine, the Avett clock music show beginning at 9 a.m. Brothers and Bob Dylan, among others. on Saturday, March 20, at the Flowood Flea “We’re shooting for 24 hours,” Ferren Market and Antique Mall. They hope and remarks. “But we would love to play until plan to continue performing until the venue’s (the flea market’s) close on Sunday night at closing at 5 p.m. on Sunday. 5 (p.m.).” This 31-hour musical extravaganza will Till and Ferren are relying on the pubbenefit Children’s of Mississippi, the state’s lic’s hourly pledges to make these long hours only children’s hospital. “It’s always been about worthwhile. “I’ll be excited if someone the kids for me,” Ferren reflects. “Nothing is pledges even 50 cents an hour,” Ferren says. more devastating than seeing a sick child.” “Our biggest pledge right now is from an Locals will have the opportunity to individual, and it’s for $10 an hour.” Ferren contribute to the cause, too, as Ferren and hopes, though, that local corporations will get Till will be accepting hourly pledges, with more involved as the March 20 start date ap100% of the proceeds going to the hospiproaches, offering larger pledges or one-time tal formerly known as the Blair E. Batson donations toward the children’s hospital. Hospital for Children on the campus of the The musician hopes that these pledges will University of Mississippi Medical Center offset the lack of donations that the hospital near Fondren. has endured over the last year. “Donations Ferren acknowledges that the “Singare down for good causes,” he laments. “The ing for the Kids” will take much preparaone way I know to (combat that) is by dotion on his part, as he is already putting in ing something for the kids.” Ferren has been practice sessions that last from 10 a.m. to 4 planning this event for over a year, initially a.m. “I’m just trying to get accustomed to conceiving the idea during the course of his the long hours,” Ferren says of his rehearsal monthly shows at the flea market. schedule. “I’ve done five-hour sets before, “During this time with so many hurtand holy mackerel, at the end of five hours, ing we knew that we needed to wait, but you’re just spent.” we have to continue,” Ferren concludes. These extended performances strain Ferren, Till and the management of the the singer’s voice and guitar-playing hands, Flowood Flea Market and Antique Mall as he remarks that such prolonged stretchhope that local media and citizens will Local musicians Phillip Till and Robert Ferren aim to put on a nonstop, 31es leave his fingers “raw.” Because of this hour performance to benefit Children’s of Mississippi this March. spread the word about the coming event physical toll, Till and Ferren have reached and will make pledges—no matter how out to the community to enable them to large or small—to ensure its success. play the long hours that the benefit will require. The two artists’ continued presence onstage—even Those interested in making a pledge may email Flowood “We’ve asked for help from local musicians,” Ferren during their hourly, five-minute breaks—is of utmost Flea Market’s office manager, Karen Johnson, at flowoodmaracknowledges. “The singathon quits if we quit playing. importance, as the singathon ends if both of the men ketplacellc@gmail.com, and those who are interested in attendSo, we will play along with them, but they’ll carry it for stop playing. Ferren feels good about their ability to per- ing the event in person can find the Flowood Flea Market and that hour, as far as vocals and things like that.” sist, though, as he notes that the two have been playing Antique Mall at 1325 Flowood Drive, Flowood.
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