Springdale Rolls out the Red Carpet in Honor of Jenee Fleenor at the Hometown Celebration – June 25-27
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2021
Contact: Jesse Elliott, Director of Creative Ecosystems
CACHE (Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange)
Email: jesse@cachecreate.org
Springdale Rolls out the Red Carpet in Honor of Jenee Fleenor at the Hometown Celebration – June 25-27
Springdale, AR – Nearly a dozen community organizations are coming together to honor a Springdale native and an award-winning musician who is referred to as the “woman leading the fiddle revival in country music.”
Jenee Fleenor may not be a household name, but you've almost certainly heard her. She plays fiddle in Blake Shelton's band, she’s written songs for some of country music’s greats, including Dolly Parton, her talent backs numerous superstars and she’s in the house band for The Voice. She's one of the rare fiddle players -- and only woman in history -- to be named Country Music Association Musician of the Year – twice. And her love of music and the fiddle all started here in Springdale.
“I remember Jenee as a young girl, playing her violin in the orchestra and for special music at church,” says Mayor Doug Sprouse of the City of Springdale. “I know the people of Springdale join me in honoring Jenee; not only for the artist she has become, but for the person she is. Jenee is truly a jewel from Springdale and we look forward to celebrating her.”
Jenee Fleenor grew up in downtown Springdale and attended Springdale Schools from Lee Elementary to Springdale High. As a child she learned classical violin while also learning bluegrass and western swing at the feet of local fiddlers. When she was 18, she headed to Nashville to follow her star. She quickly became one of the most in-demand instrumentalists in Nashville. She’s been celebrated in Nashville and now it’s time to celebrate her here in Springdale.
The Jenee Fleenor Hometown Celebration is a weekend celebration in downtown Springdale with music at its core and is sponsored by the Tyson Family Foundation, Cram-A-Lot and Slim Chickens.
“Jenee Fleenor is a stellar example of the new wave of women rising to the top of the country music genre. The Tyson Family Foundation is thrilled to welcome Jenee back to her hometown of Springdale and celebrate her exceptional talent and success,” says Olivia Tyson, President of the Tyson Family Foundation. “Personally, I love the opportunity to support the work of female artists right here in our own backyard.”
The Jenee Fleenor Hometown Celebration is made possible thanks to a variety of local organizations who have come together to honor Jenee Fleenor. The event is presented by Arkansas State Old Time Fiddlers Association (Northwest Chapter), Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange (CACHE), Downtown Springdale Alliance, Natural State Rock and Republic, Rodeo of the Ozarks, Springdale Chamber of Commerce, Springdale Mayor’s Office and The Apollo on Emma.
The Jenee Fleenor Hometown Celebration details, including dates, times and locations are as follows:
Event: NWA Old Time Fiddlers Jam
Date: Friday, June 25
Time: 6PM
Location: Apollo on Emma
Free & Open to the Public
Event: Rodeo Parade - Jenee will be Grand Marshal
Date: Saturday, June 26
Time: 3PM
Location: Emma Avenue
Free & Open to the Public
Event: Rodeo of the Ozarks – Jenee will perform the National Anthem
Date: Saturday, June 26
Time: 7:30PM
Location: Parsons Stadium
Tickets: https://www.rodeooftheozarks.org/2021-schedule
Event: Jenee Fleenor & Friends in Concert (feat. Jimmy Fortune, Mike Rogers and Barry Bales)
Date: Sunday, June 27
Time: 6:30PM
Location: Walter Turnbow Park
Free & Open to the Public
Additional information about the Jenee Fleenor Hometown Celebration can be found at downtownspringdale.org.
ABOUT JENEE FLEENOR: Jenee Fleenor grew up in downtown Springdale and attended Springdale Schools from Lee Elementary to Springdale High. As a child she learned classical violin while also learning bluegrass and western swing at the feet of local fiddlers. When she was 18, she headed to Nashville and quickly became one of the most in-demand instrumentalists. Jenee is the first woman in history to earn the Country Music Association’s prestigious Musician of the Year award in 2019 and 2020. She was nominated for ACM’s Specialty Instrument of the Year in 2020.
ABOUT THE TYSON FAMILY FOUNDATION: Established in 1970, the Tyson Family Foundation supports efforts for education, health, arts and culture and youth programs as well as a scholarship program for Tyson Foods employees and their families. The foundation has endowed and supported local, regional, and national organizations committed to furthering access to knowledge, promoting creativity and supporting communities. The Foundation is currently led by President Olivia Tyson.
ABOUT DOWNTOWN SPRINGDALE ALLIANCE:Downtown Springdale Alliance is a nonprofit that was formed in 2011 with a mission to create vibrancy in our dynamic downtown. For more information, visitwww.downtownspringdale.org.