This past weekend, I met up with my brother and a friend in Jackson, TN for Rockabilly Weekend, a celebration of Carl Perkins (a Jackson native) and his contributions to music history. If you didn’t know, Carl Perkins famously recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis back in the 50s alongside Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley. In that time, Perkins wrote many hit songs- most notably, Blue Suede Shoes, made popular by Elvis.
Although he was lesser known than the other three, Perkins is often credited with inventing “rockabilly,” a style that blends elements of country, gospel, and rhythm + blues. Blue Suede Shoes is the best example of this style. This would later evolve into what we now refer to as “rock n roll.”
Perkins’ influence on music history can still be felt to this day. Take any given artist that you listen to, and their influence can probably be traced back to Perkins. In fact, Paul McCartney from The Beatles went on record saying, “If there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles.”
But despite this, and although his friends were seeking fame and fortune, Perkins never moved away from Jackson. It is mind-blowing to think that we had such an influential figure living right here in our backyards.
During Rockabilly Weekend, I came across a copy Perkins’ autobiography, Disciple In Blue Suede Shoes, on display at the Carnegie Museum. Johnny Cash said this in the foreword of the book:
“Carl Perkins is a Christian. He is also an entertainer and one of the greatest. His calling is that he be in the world, yet unworldly. He performs in concert halls, city auditoriums, and at times in places Christian brothers might refer to as dens of iniquity. Yet it is in these places that Carl's calling is the toughest and probably most effective, for he remains a Christian, never compromising his testimony wherever he is. Carl's calling isn't easy, but then the Lord never said it was going to be.”
This is a great reminder of John 17:24-16, which suggests that we are in the world, but not of the world. Perkins could have easily made a case for why he should be remembered as the inventor of rock n roll, “Mr. Blue Suede Shoes,” or the Beatles’ biggest influence. But instead, he wanted to be remembered as someone who loved his family, struggled with sin, found redemption in Christ, and lived out his faith in a tangible way in an industry that needed (and still needs) the gospel.
Can our affiliates tell that there is something different in us? Do we carry ourselves in such a way that people inquiry about the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15)? Are we preaching the gospel to a lost and dying world?
God foreordained that we would be alive in this time and this place in our specific vocations. Let’s make our lives count and use our influence and occupations to have an eternal impact!
To God be the Glory,
Bro. Casey
Although he was lesser known than the other three, Perkins is often credited with inventing “rockabilly,” a style that blends elements of country, gospel, and rhythm + blues. Blue Suede Shoes is the best example of this style. This would later evolve into what we now refer to as “rock n roll.”
Perkins’ influence on music history can still be felt to this day. Take any given artist that you listen to, and their influence can probably be traced back to Perkins. In fact, Paul McCartney from The Beatles went on record saying, “If there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles.”
But despite this, and although his friends were seeking fame and fortune, Perkins never moved away from Jackson. It is mind-blowing to think that we had such an influential figure living right here in our backyards.
During Rockabilly Weekend, I came across a copy Perkins’ autobiography, Disciple In Blue Suede Shoes, on display at the Carnegie Museum. Johnny Cash said this in the foreword of the book:
“Carl Perkins is a Christian. He is also an entertainer and one of the greatest. His calling is that he be in the world, yet unworldly. He performs in concert halls, city auditoriums, and at times in places Christian brothers might refer to as dens of iniquity. Yet it is in these places that Carl's calling is the toughest and probably most effective, for he remains a Christian, never compromising his testimony wherever he is. Carl's calling isn't easy, but then the Lord never said it was going to be.”
This is a great reminder of John 17:24-16, which suggests that we are in the world, but not of the world. Perkins could have easily made a case for why he should be remembered as the inventor of rock n roll, “Mr. Blue Suede Shoes,” or the Beatles’ biggest influence. But instead, he wanted to be remembered as someone who loved his family, struggled with sin, found redemption in Christ, and lived out his faith in a tangible way in an industry that needed (and still needs) the gospel.
Can our affiliates tell that there is something different in us? Do we carry ourselves in such a way that people inquiry about the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15)? Are we preaching the gospel to a lost and dying world?
God foreordained that we would be alive in this time and this place in our specific vocations. Let’s make our lives count and use our influence and occupations to have an eternal impact!
To God be the Glory,
Bro. Casey
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