WMOT staff, Rhiannon Gilbert
Middle Tennessee is generally considered to be a fertile ground for country music because of its proximity to Nashville. Many notables have come from this area, including one man in particular who brought 19th century folk music to the vaudeville stage and the earliest radio airwaves. David “Uncle Dave” Macon, a Murfreesboro native born in 1870, became the first big star of the Grand Ole Opry. Dubbed ‘the grandfather of country music’ by music historian Charles Wolfe, Macon unexpectedly developed a musical career at the age of 50, and won over thousands of fans with his natural performance style and authentic, banjo pickin’ sound.
Middle Tennessee State University Arts cast actor-musicians to creatively portray not only the music and timeline of Macon’s legendary career, but the inspiring story of his life. “Walking In Sunlight: The Legacy of Uncle Dave Macon,” takes a look at the hardships he encountered, and how he faced them with a passion to bring joy to others through music.
The show is set to run Tuesday through Friday, Sept. 27-29, at 7 p.m. CST at MTSU’s Tucker Theater. For more information and ticket pricing, visit mtsuarts.com.