Campbell Culture Coalition Executive Director Manuel Mesa

CARYVILLE, TN (WLAF) – For the fifth year in a row, the Campbell Culture Coalition placed first in the state for Rural Arts Projects with its annual Louie Bluie Festival grant proposal. This garners grant funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission.On April 7, the Campbell Culture Coalition had an on-line phone panel review for the grant proposal submitted for the 14th Annual Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival, which is set for Sept 26, 2020.  This grant to the Tennessee Arts Commission falls under the heading of ‘Rural Arts Projects’.

According to Campbell Culture Coalition Executive Director Manuel Mesa, the coalition scored a top score of 90.4. Mesa was the spokesperson and representative of the Coalition and the festival.

“This is the fifth year in a row that we have secured the number one spot statewide,” Mesa said, adding that “much gratitude goes to Peggy Mathews, who is the grant writer “that continues to deliver such direct elegance in her grant writing.”

According to Mesa, one of the panelist Bill Steber, a photographer from the Nashville area, spoke with “passion and conviction about the incredible talent that Howard ‘Louie Bluie’ Armstrong was.”  “Bill encouraged the Commission that continued funding for this incredible celebration in Howard’s hometown was crucial to all of Tennessee. He went on to state that Howard was perhaps the greatest musician to come from the south, he immediately ‘corrected’ himself and stated that Howard was probably one of the greatest musicians to come from the United States. The rest of the panel agreed with Bill’s statements.”

“Hal ( Partlow, director of grants) stated that the commission would evaluate all proposals and projects despite COVID-19 and base awards on the merit and strength of the proposal.  He stated that the commission felt it was significant that the Arts be a healing and strengthening resource in our communities once the crisis abates.  Thus, they were going forward with their funding at this time,” according to Mesa.

Mesa said it was the amazing and dedicated commitment from all the organizers, chairs, leaders and community members that helped the festival place as the number one rural event in the state.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/17/2020-6AM)