Delbert McClinton To Headline Celebration 2010

Delbert McClinton

The show must go on … make that the Celebration must go on.

Behind the generosity of the people of Martinsville and Henry County and the tireless fund-raising efforts of Jeb Bassett, Celebration 2010 is officially scheduled for Friday, July 2 at Martinsville Speedway. And while the fund-raising is not totally complete for the free event, musical acts, children’s rides and fireworks have been booked and the schedule set for the night.

 With the challenges facing the local economy, the future of the 12^th annual free-to-the-public show was in doubt just a couple of weeks ago. But the community responded and made sure the evening of free family fun continued.

“Once again our community has come through to make sure this wonderful tradition continues,” said Bassett, who has led Celebration fund-raising efforts the past two years. “Three weeks ago we honestly did not know if we were going to be able to have this event this year or not. It was a dire situation.

“But once word got out about the financial situation, almost immediately companies and small businesses and individuals stepped up and in a few days we knew we were going to be able to pull it off. We’re not totally there yet. We’ve got a couple of folks we’re still waiting to hear back from, but regardless we’re going to have a quality show.”

“When you see Jeb Bassett make sure you thank him and shake his hand. He has worked non-stop to make Celebration 2010 a reality. We’ve had some lean years in the past, but never one quite like this,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “But Jeb was not going to be deterred. And because of his efforts and because of the generosity of so many in this community, the show is going to go on. It’s going to be an awesome day and evening.”

Celebration 2010 will feature one of the most versatile performers in America: Delbert McClinton.  If you like country or if you like rock or if you like blues or if you like beach music, you will like Delbert McClinton. He’s one of the few artists who has put songs in the top 20 of country, pop and blues.

He has sold millions of records and picked up a handful of grammys along the way. It’s almost impossible to describe his style of music, except to say it’s infectious and fun. It’s full of horns and harmonica and a lot of guitar thrown in to back his gravely, growly vocals.

He’s been around for a while, his first big break coming in 1962 when he played harmonica on Bruce Chanel’s hit “Hey! Baby.” He hung out with the Beatles in the early 1960s and then started making a name for himself throughout the south. It wasn’t long before most everyone knew his name and music.

Domino, a Roanoke-based horn band and Celebration favorite, will be making it’s seventh Celebration appearance, opening for Delbert McClinton.

In addition to the entertainment, there will be more than a dozen rides and another four inflatable games for the youngsters.

The children’s rides will open at 5 p.m. and remain open until 11:30 p.m. Domino will take the stage at 7 p.m. followed by Delbert McClinton at 8:30 p.m. The fireworks are scheduled for after McClinton’s performance.

Those contributing to the Celebration 2010 included: Applied Felts, Bassett Furniture, Bassett Office Supply, BB&T, Blue Ridge Aquaculture, Boxley Material Company, Brad Parker Insurance, Carter Bank and Trust, Collinsville Printing, Commonwealth Laminating, Dr. David Jones, orthodontist, Dillon Insurance, Frith Construction, Gardner, Barrow, Sharpe and Reynolds, Henry County, Henry County Baptist Association, Hooker Furniture, Cool Knobs and Pulls, Martinsville Henry County Chamber of Commerce, Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation, Masterbrand Cabinet, Memorial Hospital, Millards Machinery, Nelson Automotive, River Community Bank, Shenandoah Furniture, Solutia, Southwest VA Gas, Stanley Furniture, Steve Martin Trenching, Stone Dynamics, Taco Bell, Tarheel Paper and Supply Co., The Lester Group, TR Properties, Virginia Mirror, West Window, Zenith Logistics, CPEG, Ameristaff, Suntrust Bank and Tri State Foam.