Blake Williams Honored During Liberty Square:
A Lester Flatt Celebration Sparta, Tennessee Celebrates Its Bluegrass Heritage with Special Presentation
Sparta, Tennessee, home of bluegrass legend Lester Flatt, celebrated the icon's memory with a special event on the city's square on Saturday, May 23rd. During the day-long event, a special presentation took place that honored several of the city's bluegrass legends including Blake Williams of Williams & Clark Expedition.
In 2007 the Tennessee State Legislature declared the 4th Saturday in May to be "Official Bluegrass Day in Tennessee" and in keeping with the branding of Sparta, Tennessee as "Bluegrass U.S.A.", the city hosted its annual event, Liberty Square: A Lester Flatt Celebration on May 23rd. Sparta, Tennessee has a rich bluegrass heritage and is not only the home of Lester Flatt but also the home of Benny Martin, Blake Williams (Lester Flatt & The Nashville Grass, Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys, Williams & Clark Expedition), Josh Swift (Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver) and many more great musicians and luthiers. Sparta's mayor, Tommy Pedigo, along with the Board of Alderman, unveiled the new Sparta City Limits sign during a special presentation during the evening. The new sign is designed around the city's new "Bluegrass USA" logo. In addition, the Sparta, Tennessee "Bluegrass Hall Of Fame" has been established and the names of the first five inductees are now included on the sign. Those honored were nationally known bluegrass musicians Lester Flatt, Benny Martin and Blake Williams along with regionally known Bill Jones and John Henry Demps. Gladys Flatt accepted the honor on behalf of Lester Flatt, JoAnn Able, Benny Martin's sister accepted on his behalf. Blake Williams was visibly moved and honored by the presentation. "I am humbled and extremely happy about such a wonderful tribute to Lester and Benny and being included among these men is truly an honor that I never expected", stated Williams. When presented the proclamation of his induction into Sparta, Tennessee's "Bluegrass Hall of Fame" Williams stated, "I have only won one other thing in my life and that was a fruitcake at a banjo contest in Clarkrange, Tennessee when I was 13. When I got it home, it had a worm in it. This is much better!""In previous years, the City of Sparta erected signage indicating Sparta as the hometown of Lester Flatt and then later, Benny Martin. However, the signs were very inconsistent in design and placement", stated Sparta Mayor, Tommy Pedigo. "When we began the branding of Sparta as 'Bluegrass USA', this was one of the areas that we wanted to improve upon. This has been a long time coming and we are so proud to finally recognize these men for their accomplishments in bringing honor to Sparta and White County, Tennessee."To view more photos from the event, please click here.
In 2007 the Tennessee State Legislature declared the 4th Saturday in May to be "Official Bluegrass Day in Tennessee" and in keeping with the branding of Sparta, Tennessee as "Bluegrass U.S.A.", the city hosted its annual event, Liberty Square: A Lester Flatt Celebration on May 23rd. Sparta, Tennessee has a rich bluegrass heritage and is not only the home of Lester Flatt but also the home of Benny Martin, Blake Williams (Lester Flatt & The Nashville Grass, Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys, Williams & Clark Expedition), Josh Swift (Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver) and many more great musicians and luthiers. Sparta's mayor, Tommy Pedigo, along with the Board of Alderman, unveiled the new Sparta City Limits sign during a special presentation during the evening. The new sign is designed around the city's new "Bluegrass USA" logo. In addition, the Sparta, Tennessee "Bluegrass Hall Of Fame" has been established and the names of the first five inductees are now included on the sign. Those honored were nationally known bluegrass musicians Lester Flatt, Benny Martin and Blake Williams along with regionally known Bill Jones and John Henry Demps. Gladys Flatt accepted the honor on behalf of Lester Flatt, JoAnn Able, Benny Martin's sister accepted on his behalf. Blake Williams was visibly moved and honored by the presentation. "I am humbled and extremely happy about such a wonderful tribute to Lester and Benny and being included among these men is truly an honor that I never expected", stated Williams. When presented the proclamation of his induction into Sparta, Tennessee's "Bluegrass Hall of Fame" Williams stated, "I have only won one other thing in my life and that was a fruitcake at a banjo contest in Clarkrange, Tennessee when I was 13. When I got it home, it had a worm in it. This is much better!""In previous years, the City of Sparta erected signage indicating Sparta as the hometown of Lester Flatt and then later, Benny Martin. However, the signs were very inconsistent in design and placement", stated Sparta Mayor, Tommy Pedigo. "When we began the branding of Sparta as 'Bluegrass USA', this was one of the areas that we wanted to improve upon. This has been a long time coming and we are so proud to finally recognize these men for their accomplishments in bringing honor to Sparta and White County, Tennessee."To view more photos from the event, please click here.
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