All results / Stories / Jackson Free Press

How Malaco Got Its Groove Back
You might remember a piece I wrote for Boom Jackson magazine a couple years ago about Jackson's Malaco Records, the world-famous and highly revered label known as a soul, blues and gospel powerhouse. My piece focused on the label's ability to adapt to the ever-changing circumstances in the music industry over the years. Transitioning from full-service record label to gospel compilation seller to distribution channel for independent artists, Malaco has never backed down from a challenge.
JFP Wins Awards for Feature Writing, Public Service, Commentary
The JFP got more great news Friday night when we learned that we are winning two first-place and one second-place award from the Society of Professional Journalists' southeastern division. Valerie Wells takes first place for feature writing, the Personhood team (this time, including R.L. Nave and Adam Lynch) takes second place for public service, and I won first place for serious commentary. Here is the full press release. Cheers to the team, congratulations to all the winners. We're honored to be in your company:
A Condemned Man's Last Day…in a Press Release
June 12, 2012 Scheduled Execution of Jan Michael Brawner
In about two hours, Jan Michael Brawner will be executed for the murders of his 3-year-old daughter, ex-wife and former in-laws. The Mississippi Department of Corrections issued the following news release detailing Brawner's final day:

A Little Love Note to the City of Jackson
Fashionista, Screech-hater and, dare I say, philosopher Lisa Turtle once asked, "What is art? Are we art? Is art art?"
Dangers of Skin Bleaching
While tanning is unhealthy for some, skin bleaching is dangerous for others. Celebrities such as Beyoncé and the late Michael Jackson allegedly used skin bleaching, a practice to lighten skin pigment with chemicals.
A Journey to the Center of the Mind
Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer-Prize award-winning 1930s drama, "Our Town," is not just a play, but a spiritual voyage. The stage is barren, except for a row of chairs, and dialogue is often spoken atop ladders that represent houses.

Anna Franklin's Teacakes
When she was alive, Polkville, Miss., resident Anna Franklin used her teacakes to comfort the bereaved. "Everybody who went into the coffee room at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Morton knew Anna Franklin had been there," my mom said. "She brought teacakes to the funeral home every time she heard about a death in the community."
BREAKING: JPS Agrees to Overhaul Discipline Policies, Settles Lawsuit
Good news! The Southern Poverty Law Center just emailed this statement, pasted in its entirety:
JACKSON, Miss. – The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) announced today that a federal judge has approved a settlement agreement with Jackson Public Schools (JPS) to reform discipline policies across the district and to end the brutal practice of handcuffing students to railings and poles for hours at a time as punishment for minor rule violations.
It's the Weekend!
Today, Kennith Humphrey's art exhibit at Brown's Fine Art (630 Fondren Place) hangs through May 31. Entry is free; call 601-982-4844. Overnight Lows, The Bills and Turn It Off perform at CS's. The Jason Turner Band plays at Ole Tavern. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity's White Party at The South (627 E. Silas Brown St.) includes music from Sonja Stamps at 8 p.m. ($35 in advance) and the party with music from deejays is at 10 p.m. ($20 in advance). Call 601-503-7625 or 601-672-2914. Nightmare Boyzzz plays at Sam's Lounge. The Daniel Karlish Trio performs at Martin's at 10 p.m. Need more options? See our Best Bets.
‘Get Lost While You Can Still Be Found'
On Circus of the Seed's somber, fan-favorite track, "Rain," vocalist and trumpeter Stephen Phillips sings, "I hope that you can swim so that you don't drown/My broken heart is going to flood this town/You better get lost while you can still be found."
Beauty, Pain of Womanhood
Sometimes when people find that the play "For Colored Girls..." is going to be performed in their town, they think of the Tyler Perry adaptation. "I already saw the movie," they think. Perhaps they didn't like it and assume they won't like the choreopoem play either. But like the song by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell says, "Ain't nothing like the real thing."
Show Some Love
If you have been reading my column for a while, you know a few things about me: I like records, sneakers, hip-hop, funk, reading and the occasional dose of rock 'n' roll. You also probably know that going to see live music is a huge part of my life.
Jordan Hunter
Nathan Hunter III always wanted his son to be a Morehouse man. This fall, he will see that dream come true when his oldest child, Jordan Hunter, attends the nation's only all-male historically black college.
‘Waiting for This Moment'
It's Super Bowl weekend, and it is half empty at Suite 106 tonight. Usually, you have to really get here early because the small place packs up quickly. Today, people are probably cooking and shopping so, come Sunday, all they have to do is sit back and watch the Giants take on the Patriots.

Code Blue: Police Pursuits Cost a Life a Day
"All units, Ridgeland PD in pursuit. Gray Crown Victoria on lower (Spillway) Road, request assistance," a voice said over the police scanner from Reservoir Control tower.
The Art of the Mash-Up
Lemuria employee Simon Hamburg has been on a mission. During the first few months of his employment, he noticed that the music-book section in the store looked "untouched." He knew there were some good books, but they were all too high up on the shelf to reach. He moved them down and re-arranged titles to give the area a fresh look.
What is your favorite dish at a Jackson-area restaurant?
We ask you, JFP faithful, what sets your mouth drooling? And we received some (very) tasty replies.
From Facebook:
Prev Next