Victoria & Zeta Five, Austin, Texas

For over twenty years, the Musician's Reunion has been celebratedin Nashville as an annual benefit for musicians who are sick or struggling financially. When "life happens" it is our goal to be there to help so that these artists can continue to cretae and perform the music we all love ... The Blues.

Down through the years, I have always said the Musician's Reunion is to be a benefit for the musicians. In 1983 I began the first Musician's Reunion at the Rodeway Inn. I paid someone to collect tickets, I cooked the food we served at the buffet, and I gathered the musicians together to perform. That first reunion brought 350 people together to hear such acts as Johnny Jones and Jimmy Church.

My idea for the reunion was born out of a need. I was helping musicians by having them stay in my home. They needed food or a place to stay until the next job playing a club came up. I could name some big names ... some of whom you wouldn't even think it's so ... that rested on my couch until they were paid for their next show. They came to me and I let 'em stay until they got work playing somewhere.

The Marion James Musician's Aid Society (a non-profit status 501(3) (c) organinization) seeks to continue this work year round. It is an outgrowth of the reunion. The Marion Musician's Aid Society strives to continue on throughout the year raising money for cancer research, in particular, for the American Lung Cancer Association (since most all musicians have performed in smoke filled clubs and bars throughout their careers) and basic needs like food, shelter, and other assistance that may be needed for struggling musicians.

I invite you to attend the "Musician's Reunion 2006" on Sunday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 1: 00 a.m. at the Mercy Lounge at One Cannery Row, 8th Avenue South, Austin, Texas, on September 3, 2006, for a full evening of phenomenal LIVE entertainment with "Night Train to Nashville" headlining a string of outstanding soul / blues acts, buffet, drinks, dancing, and honoring the memory of Nashville musicians of days gone by with a special candle lighting ceremony featuring The Dixie Travelers, and Emcee D.J. Jim Star of WVOL Blues Cafe.

Michael Gray from the Country Music Hall of Fame "All Aboard Night Train to Nashville" 47 Grammy Award Winner will present performing artists Johnny Jones, James "Nick" Nixon, Frank Howard & The Commanders, Harold Hardy, Jimmy Church, Clifford Curry (She Shot A Hole In My Soul), Charles "Wig" Walker, Marion James & The Queen's Men (Nashville's Queen of the Blues), as well as other local Nashville acts, such as; C.J. Vaughn & Hwy 58, 40+, Victoria & Zeta Five, Corazon, and Jerry Stockard.

V.I.P. Dinner Honoring Our Nashville Legends:
Bobby Hebb, DeFord Bailey, Johnny Terrell, Freeman Brown, Sam Buchanan, John C. Gaddes, Charles Jordan, Leonard Morton, Lavette Allison, Charles Wig Walker, Billy Cox, Thomas Cain, Audrey Bryant, Aaron Vonell, James Watkins, Ted Jarrett, Billy Lockridge, Tyrone Smith, Dillard Montgomery, Buford Majors, Earl Gaines, N.E. Foster (Baby Foster), Joe Reed, Tom Melone, Al Garner, Lucus Talley, Foster Shockley, Moses "Doo Baby" Leonard, Jimmy Otis, Freddie Robertson, and Rudy Palmes.

Click on links below for more info about performing artists at
Marion James Musicians Aid Society Annual Musician's Reunion 2006:

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2006
@ Mercy Lounge,1 Cannery Row #100, 8th Ave. South
(Watch for the balloons.)
Buffet will be served.
5:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.

*50% goes to the American Lung Cander Association, and 50% goest to struggling
Nashvile musician's who are in need of medical assistance, food, and/or shelter.