Carl Perkins tribute benefiting HAAM w/ Bill Kirchen, Rosie Flores, Marti Brom, Jake Penrod, Theo Lawrence, Little Rachel, Guitar Grady, Heather Rae Johnson, Tony Estrada, Mandy Marie Luke, Tjarko Jeen, Jeremy Slemenda & the Jerrells

South by Southwest 1997 keynote speaker Carl Perkins repeated the term (“What’s a keynote? I’m no keynote”) to a hushed ballroom, completely unfamiliar with it. Afterward, in some small room at the Convention Center, a clutch of media enjoyed private audience with the rockabilly pioneer (1932–1998), who indeed loomed larger than life: his hands, voice, toupee. Guitarist, bandleader, and amp tech Jeremy Slemenda and his Jerrells gather a first annual twang-off for the Tennessean, benefiting homegrown health care provider for musicians HAAM and commingling ATX genre notables including Bill Kirchen, Rosie Flores, Marti Blom, Jake Penrod, Little Rachel, Guitar Grady, Tjarko Jeen, etc. Don’t step on anyone’s blue suede shoes. – Raoul Hernandez