Jackie Venson. Photo by Ismael Quintanilla III
Guitarist Jackie Venson will headline the inaugural Center Hill Blues Fest at Bert Driver’s Burlap Room on Saturday, Oct. 2.
Venson, hailing from Austin, Texas, has brewed up an interesting blend of classical, jazz, funk, blues and progressive music. The artist may morph from easygoing, gentle acoustic plucking and singing on one song into making her electric guitar scream a blazingly funky solo on the next.
The musician attended Berklee College of Music with piano as her instrument, but while there transitioned to guitar.
She has since released numerous albums, including the recent Jackie Venson Live at Austin City Limits project.
Venson also has a musical alter ego that goes by the name jackie the robot; the artist remixes Jackie Venson’s music to create new psychedelic, electronic sounds released under her jackie the robot identity.
Center Hill Blues Fest is an outdoor, rain or shine event, held Saturday, Oct. 2, which includes local food trucks, craft beer, local artisans and more.
Gates open at 4 p.m. and live music starts at 6 p.m. when Few Miles On, a power trio out of Cookeville, crank up the festivities with their Southern blues groove.
Tickets are $20 in advance on Eventbrite, or $25 the day of the show. Kids 10 and under are free.
Bert Driver’s Burlap Room and Nursery is located at 175 Hurricane Ridge Rd., Smithville. For more information, visit bertdriver.com.
