‘Travelin’ tent revival’ wheelin’ into Patterson Park on The Murfreesboro Post

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‘Travelin’ tent revival’ wheelin’ into Patterson Park

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By: By ERIN EDGEMON, Business Editor

‘Travelin’ tent revival’ wheelin’ into Patterson Park | Mike Farris, Bonnaroo

Former rocker Mike Farris didn’t set out to record a gospel album as his second solo release.

“I just wanted to do the music that I always wanted to do,” said the former front man of the Southern rock band Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies in a phone interview from Nashville. “The music that I love more than anything in this world coincides with my spiritual beliefs.

“Even if I wasn’t a believer, I would be singing these songs,” he continued. “This is the music that moves me.”

Farris, who released “Salvation in Lights” on INO Records in June 2007 to rave reviews, is slated to perform an acoustic set of his new album at the Patterson Park Community Center Theater May 30 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8.

“Salvation in Lights” has been described as a “traveling tent-revival of an album, working its way up the banks of the Mississippi River from New Orleans through Memphis and into points north.”

The album contains traditional spirituals like “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep,” and “Can’t No Grave Hold My Body Down,” but also soulful songs like “A Change is Gonna Come” and “I’ll Take You There” that are turn-of-the-century New Orleans gospel songs.
Farris brings the funk with original tracks like “Selah! Selah!” and “The Lonely Road.”

“The messages of these songs are so profoundly real back then and now and they will be 100 years from now,” Farris, originally of Winchester, said. “They deal with faith, hope, redemption and struggle. These things are always going to be relevant.”

Farris, a born again Christian, struggled with alcohol and drug dependency for years until the winter of 2004 when standing at a relative’s gravesite, Farris decided he had enough. He began to rebuild his life without drugs and alcohol.

Recording and performing his new music, is like a rebirth for Farris.

“It is the most incredible experience in my life other than my little boy being born and my wedding day,” he said.

Until three years ago, Farris said he had only played one show sober. To perform “Salvation in Lights,” was like learning how to walk again.

Farris said he wasn’t prepared for the success of Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, which was signed to Atlantic Records in the early 1990s, a Top 10 rock radio hit and toured with the likes of Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews Band and the Allman Brothers.
“I wasn't prepared for the success and it ate me alive,” he said. “And I was just learning to sing, next thing you know I was reaching success.

“Now, I felt I have just learned to sing,” Farris continued. “It is just incredible.”

When he performs now, Farris wants the audience to be reminded of and proud of this country’s gospel roots.

“I want people to walk away feeling invigorated and refreshed and excited no matter what religion they are into,” he said.

So far, Farris said many Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies’ fans are taking to his new music.

“The secular world loves this music more than anybody,” he said referring to an upcoming show this June at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester. “That is who is embracing it more than anybody.”

Jennifer Danylo, who proclaims Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies as her favorite band, said Farris’ new music is different but vocally he sounds the same.

“I think it is a true representation of who Mike Farris really is,” she said of the new album. “I think it is his true calling. I almost feel it has been a long-time coming.”

Danylo, of Murfreesboro, saw Farris perform songs from the album at Mercy Lounge in Nashville in November 2007.

“It was a great show,” she said, “but it was a little bit of a culture shock.”

Danylo said Farris’ new music attracts not only his long-time fans but also new church-going fans.

Farris said the upcoming Murfreesboro show will be the first time he has performed in the city for a number of years. Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies often performed at Main Street bar (now Club 527).

With only his guitar, Farris said he will perform different renditions of the songs from “Salvation in Lights.”

When asked if he will ever go back to playing rock and roll music, Farris said he is “pretty sick” of the genre of music where he got his start.

“You can't ever say that you won't play rock and roll again,” he said. “I don't want to put any boundaries on the music and the creative process.

“I love the sounds that I am doing now,” Farris continued. “I will go along with it for awhile and see what happens.”

Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.

Mike Farris will perform a solo concert at the Patterson Park Community Center Theater May 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the door.
Patterson Park Community Center is located at 521 Mercury Blvd.

For more information on Mike Farris, visit www.mikefarrismusic.net.

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Tags: Bonnaroo, Mike Farris

Member Opinions:

By: chillboro on 5/18/08
If you love music, you'll love this show. The community is blessed to have such a great performer to be coming here. I've seen him numerous times and my kids love his music as well.

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