Roger Murrah Celebrated His “High Cotton Homecoming”

Athens native and hit songwriter held a benefit concert called “High Cotton Homecoming with Roger Murrah and Friends” to raise funds for the Athens Arts League facility High Cotton Arts, a non-profit art incubator in downtown Athens. The event was sponsored in part by the City of Athens and Paradise Pet Resort and Spa.

The Limestone County Event Center stage was graced by Roger Murrah and his  guests Jon Conley, who has been touring with Kenny Chesney; Bobby Ogdin, who has played with artists like Elvis; Milton Sledge and Mike Chapman, both of Clements who are studio musicians for artists like Garth Brooks; Jimmy Melton and Neal Coty who have written songs cut by artists like Blake Shelton; and Jerry McGlocklin, local fiddler. Country artist Chris Holt kicked off the concert.

Roger, Neal and Jimmy shared the inspiration behind their songs from mothers to religious cults to dogs to the tight fit of bluejeans fresh from the dryer. They also shared stories about artists like Waylon Jennings and Conway Twitty.

Mayor Ronnie Marks declared October 1, 2015, as Roger Murrah Day, and to help promote the day, 10-year-old Athens Bible School student Bailey Davis made a video and sang Roger’s hit “I’m In A Hurry.” The Athens High School Marching Band also arranged a marching band version of the song. The culinary arts, engineering and drafting students under the direction of Sheila Lightfoot at the Limestone County Career Technical Center made a tablescape for the pre-concert dinner featuring Roger’s song “Southern Rains” that included a water feature, a cottage with a chimney emitting smoke filled with music notes and wooden napkin holders shaped as raindrops. 

Photos of the event :