Visit Corsicana: Historic Country Music Event Returns To Lefty Frizzell’s Hometown

Country music star, David Frizzell, has announced the 2nd annual Frizzell & Friends LeftyFest Music Festival to be held in Corsicana, Texas on Saturday, November 2, 2019.

The event was established, in cooperation with the city of Corsicana, to honor the enduring musical legacy of Lefty Frizzell, one of American music’s most influential singer/stylists of any genre. The iconic artist was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982. A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame honors his contributions to entertainment. Lefty Frizzell figures prominently in several episodes of the recently-aired Ken Burns documentary, Country Music.

The city of Corsicana should be on the “travel bucket list” for any fan of country music. Born in Corsicana in 1928, Lefty is honored with a statue in the city’s Jester Park, which is fascinating to visit any time of year. Additionally, there is a Lefty Frizzell museum which houses photos and memorabilia of Lefty and other artists of the day who remain a part of the fabric of traditional country music.

The special evening of music will include an insightful Q&A on the life, music and enduring legacy of Lefty Frizzell with David Frizzell and younger brother, Allen Frizzell. After the Q&A which promises informative and entertaining stories about Lefty Frizzell and other historic music figures, a concert will feature the music of Lefty Frizzell and other classic artists who were influenced by Lefty, as well as the hits and recordings of David Frizzell and Allen Frizzell. Special guests may also appear.

David Frizzell is the younger brother of Lefty. He toured with Lefty in his youth, before being signed to a record deal of his own, and going on to a multi-award-winning career that remains dynamic today. David is a singer, songwriter, touring performer, producer and author.

Lefty Frizzell has been called “the honky-tonk archetype.” His voice was golden; he wore fringe and Nudie suits and those trademark bandanas; and he had a fondness for women and whiskey. Before this became a Hollywood stereotype, it was the real Lefty. Born William Orville Frizzell just outside of Corsicana in 1928, his contributions to American music are legendary and lasting. He burst onto the music scene in 1951 and had had eight top 10 hits in that year alone. At one point, Lefty Frizzell had four songs in the Billboard Top 10 at the same time, something that had never happened before: “I Want To Be With You Always,” “Always Late (With Your Kisses),” “Mom And Dad’s Waltz,” and “Travelin’ Blues.”

As a singer, Lefty was the ultimate stylist. His voice was an instrument that he played brilliantly: stretching out or breaking up vowels. He slurred his words and played with phrasing. His pioneering vocals have inspired decades of artists, and his songs have become classics and beloved standards. Merle Haggard revered Lefty Frizzell, and was often quoted praising the singer. Willie Nelson loved Frizzell’s songwriting so much that he released an album of Lefty cover songs.

On July 19, 1975, Lefty suffered a massive stroke, slipped into a coma, and passed away at just 47 years old. In his all-too-short life, however, Lefty Frizzell revolutionized country music with a style that remains influential today. Artists like Blake Shelton, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Tim McGraw, and even George Jones, have tipped their hats to Lefty for his inspiration.

For visitors, a variety of lodging is available in and around Corsicana, including brand name hotels and RV parks. This concert event is made possible, in part, through the support of the Corsicana Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.

Frizzell & Friends present the 2nd Annual LeftyFest
Saturday, November 2, 2019

7:30 p.m.

The Palace Theatre

112 W 6th AV, Corsicana, TX

Tickets starting at just $25

TICKETS

Information: https://www.davidfrizzell.com/leftyfest

“Not enough folks know the name Lefty Frizzell. Not enough people know Lefty Frizzell’s music. If you stop and listen, you can still hear his influence everywhere.
Every time a singer goes soft and low instead of long and hard, that’s Lefty. Every extended vowel in a tender ballad, that’s Lefty. Every slippery vocal trill, that’s Lefty.
His legacy is everywhere, even if his name is not.”
– THE BLUEGRASS SITUATION

Merle Haggard loved the ‘brilliance and clarity’ of Lefty Frizzell’s music, and he studied Frizzell’s effortless onstage charisma,
which came less naturally to Haggard. “For three or four years I didn’t sing anything but Lefty Frizzell songs,” he wrote,
“and then because Lefty was a fan of Jimmie Rodgers I learned to imitate him too.”
– ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE

Also appearing: Allen Frizzell

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