Bags & blues: Little Jimmy Reed gets locals up, off their feet for a musical Brown Bag experience
Published 4:00 am Friday, June 12, 2015
![Messenger photo/Courtney Patterson Locals gathered on the Square in downtown Troy to listen to Little Jimmy Reed while they ate their lunches. Courtney, left, and Michaela Brown couldn’t stay in their seats once the music began, so they danced the afternoon away.](https://www.troymessenger.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2015/06/0612BrownBag2.web_-300x170.jpg)
Messenger photo/Courtney Patterson
Locals gathered on the Square in downtown Troy to listen to Little Jimmy Reed while they ate their lunches. Courtney, left, and Michaela Brown couldn’t stay in their seats once the music began, so they danced the afternoon away.
Downtown Troy was full of heads swaying and toes tapping as Little Jimmy Reed, Alabama’s Bluesman, rocked the Square on Thursday.
“We had a wonderful crowd,” said Sheila Jackson, Troy public relations director. “It’s warm but it’s a beautiful day; we have a breeze. Thanks to Jimmy Reed for coming out today. He is in the Blues Hall of Fame, so it’s just wonderful to have him in downtown Troy for Brown Bag today.”
People of all ages were dancing as part of the Brown Bag event. Ernestine Mullins said that she enjoyed the music and was dancing and having a great time.
“This is so pleasant,” said Tamara Stephens as she sat on a swing listening to the music. “We have enjoyed every week of it. We have one of the nicest squares.” Stephens said that her favorite song of the day was “Rainy Night in Georgia.”
The people in the Square were rewarded with door prizes throughout the event. Patsy Jinright received one with a Troy University visor, pecans and a downtown Troy cup.
“I try to come every time,” Jinright said of the Brown Bag lunches. “I really enjoy it. It’s great for downtown and they always have nice door prizes.”
Locals brought their own lunch or enjoyed the bagged lunches during the time of fun and fellowship as Reed serenaded the town.
There is only one more Brown Bag event for this season until they resume in the fall. The final Brown Bag event will be on June 25 at noon on the Square.
“We’ll have music and entertainment, but it will be more like a community service organizations will be able to set up tables to give people information about their organization,” Jackson said.
“I just thank everybody for coming out and I invite them to the last Brown Bag,” Jackson continued. “After that one, we will start back in the fall again.”
- Messenger photo/Courtney Patterson Locals gathered on the Square in downtown Troy to listen to Little Jimmy Reed while they ate their lunches. Reed performed for the town in the gazebo.
- Messenger photo/Courtney Patterson Locals gathered on the Square in downtown Troy to listen to Little Jimmy Reed while they ate their lunches. Dr. Alice Hayes, Luke Stephens and Tamara Stephens enjoy their lunch on a swing in the Square.
- Messenger photo/Courtney Patterson Locals gathered on the Square in downtown Troy to listen to Little Jimmy Reed while they ate their lunches. Gabi Ellis receives a door prize during the event.
- Messenger photo/Courtney Patterson Locals gathered on the Square in downtown Troy to listen to Little Jimmy Reed while they ate their lunches. Rita Boothe checks Willie B. Williams’ blood pressure.