News

Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley and Duane Eddy Calebrate Jack Daniel's Birthday

• 4th Oct 2010

Whether it was a fire at the local courthouse that destroyed all the town documents – or just the passage of time – no one’s real sure what day in September Mr. Jack Daniel was born. What is known is that the man hailed from Tennessee, so this year the good folk from Jack Daniel’s are bringing Tennessee To Town for a spectacular Birthday gig with Tennessee guitar legend Duane Eddy, Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley and Ellie Goulding.

In addition to incredible solos of their own material all four will join forces for a Birthday exclusive to bring the spirit of Tennessee to life with new and unheard collaborations of Americana classics.

Duane Eddy will be flying in from his Tennessee homestead especially for the occasion. A Grammy award winning guitarist, he has won numerous accolades since his career began in the 1950’s including NME’s World Music Personality (1960) and Mojo’s Legend Award 2010. He has worked with Sir Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Willie Nelson and is credited as influencing the likes of Hank Marvin and Mark Knopfler. Duane said, “I couldn't resist the offer to come over to England and play the JD event with these great artistes! I'm very excited”

Jarvis Cocker, now a popular solo artist and award winning radio DJ, spearheaded cult Britpop band Pulp famous for hits like ‘Common People’ and the # 1 album ‘Different Class’ which scooped a Mercury Award in 96. He is known to enjoy musical collaborations and recently teamed up with Beth Ditto, Marianne Faithful and Florence Welch, laying the ground for an electrifying partnership with Ellie Goulding.

Richard Hawley is no stranger to the Jack Daniel’s Birthday Gig having performed at the distillery in 2006. His “rich, velveteen croon” has lead to NME reviews that describe his live shows as “spell-binding”. A member of Pulp at its height of success, Richard and Jarvis continue to support each other’s projects and music lovers never tire of seeing these two Sheffield talents partner together. Richard said, “Jarvis and I performed ‘Peter Gunn’ together 10 years ago with Pulp because we were both huge Duane fans. Hearing Duane Eddy's guitar playing influenced my own playing. I never thought I’d be lucky enough to meet him and now I find we're all about to share a stage together. Unbelievable”

Folktronic singer songwriter Ellie Goulding won a Brit for the Critics Choice of 2010. Described as a ‘rare song bird’ and ‘pop dynamite’, her stunning vocals are sure to ignite an incredible atmosphere at the Jack Daniel’s Birthday Gig. Her partnering with Duane Eddy and co will give a rare insight into the guitar route she would have gone down had she not befriended hot pop newcomer Frankmusic at university.

Tennessee’s capital city, Nashville, is fondly known as ‘Music City’ in the USA and is home to some of the country’s musicians and song-writers.

Tickets to the gig can be won via link. A limited number will also be available from the venue on the night of the gig. Duane, Jarvis, Richard and Ellie will be following in the footsteps of Patti Smith, Frank Black, Juliette Lewis and Flaming Lips, all of whom gave jaw-dropping performances at previous Birthday gigs. Watch the videos online where you can also learn new ways to enjoy Jack Daniel’s.

So get ready for a stunning show and a month to remember – September Two Thousand and Tennessee.

Make Mr. Jack’s Birthday a memorable one. Please drink responsibly.