Youth Commission takes musical journey

Published 4:31 pm Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Members of the Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission recently learned about the community’s musical history thanks to the Athens Arts League. The returning Youth Commission members met with members of the AAL at the newly renovated Scout Music House for a journey through history.

The timely lesson came just a couple of weeks before the 56th Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention where thousands of talented musicians from around the country come together for a weekend of world-class music.

The youth commissioners were among the first in the community to see the renovations of the Scout Music House. They also visited the Delmore Brothers exhibit at Athens State University and learned how the Elkmont natives, who were born into poverty, used their talents to become starts of the Grand Ole Opry.

They learned about Patti J. Malone who, after attending and completing Trinity School, attended Fisk University where she was chosen to perform with the world famous Fisk Jubilee Singers. She travelled and performed throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand and more. She performed for world leaders, including Queen Victoria of England and the German emperor Wilhelm I.

Other famous Limestone County natives the youth commissioners learned about include the Grammy award winning Alabama Shakes and talented studio musician Milton Sledge, who wrote and played drums on several of Garth Brooks’ albums.