Payton Baggett Reporting
pbaggett@clarksvillenow.com

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – St. John Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting a Jazz Festival & Oklahoma Tornado Benefit Concert Saturday, June 29 at 1833 Tiny Town Road. All proceeds collected go to the American Red Cross.

Admission is free, though donations to the cause are encouraged. A variety of performances will be offered, with the beginning time slot from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. being filled with gospel music, and the remaining time being used for R&B, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Blues acts.
Headlining the show will be the Tina Brown Band, followed by performers such as BCOL Band, Holy Hip Hop group T.R.E.A.L., and Safe Phase. Those attending are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and children, as the event will be family friendly and free of alcohol.

Along with singing in the band that is named after her, Tina Brown has been organizing the entertainment and publicity for the event. Brown said the event was organized because the church was constantly involved in bettering the community. “That’s what made me join them initially, their community involvement,” she said. “My pastor wanted to do something for the tornado relief, and he asked me if I would participate in that, and I told him I would help them try to put it together. I did the 2010 flood relief for Montgomery County, and it was very successful, so I think with us together doing this, it will be a successful event.”

Brown also said that the mayor will be at the event to present the church with a proclamation recognizing them for the work they have done in the past five years to help people within the Clarksville community. The money will then be presented to representatives from the Red Cross.

Sponsors for the concert include Tina Brown’s new business, the Tina Brown Musicians Aid Society, which Brown started to aid musicians in need, or people in the community using the power of music, by organizing various fundraisers.

Vendors and sponsors for the benefit are still needed. If interested, call:
(931) 647-3955 or contact Tina Brown directly at (931) 378-4809