Meat and Music Squealer’s Serves up live bands on thursdays
People gather in downtown Meridian to hear music during the Jimmie Rodgers Festival.
who established Meridian Main Street in 1985. “People enjoy getting out and experiencing a sense of unity.” And in its second year, McClure says the series will not disappoint, with bigger names to expand the market. The concert series is familyfriendly, McClure says. The first 2013 concert, which fell on Maundy Thursday during the Christian observance of Holy Week, was alcohol-free and featured Gypsy Carns and the Cross Mountain Praise Band. “As Meridian has such a strong tradition of performers and songwriters, we provide a venue for emerging artists as well as people who want to get on stage and perform for their hometown,” McClure says. “Live music and supporting the arts is an important part of our mission – the revitalization of downtown. We try to incorporate music in everything we do.” In addition to the spring concert series, Meridian Main Street also sponsors a children’s art crawl, which features many young artists; Earth’s Bounty, offering fresh, local produce as a fun family event; and a Charlie Brown-themed jazz event near the Christmas season, to
introduce young people to the jazz music genre. “People have heard jazz; they just don’t know they like it,” McClure says. After-Hours Entertainment While sunny afternoons often bring music to downtown, it continues long into the night at several bars and clubs, too. For its size, Meridian has a surprising number of spots for live music most days of the week, including Faces Jazz and Blues Lounge, Rhythm and Brews, local barbecue joint Squealer’s, and Echo Lounge, which has nightly shows. Echo owner Randy Harrison, a 15-year Meridian resident, books all genres of music, from country to blues and jazz to heavy metal. Harrison knows his customers expect variety, so he books bands to suit, and the atmosphere changes often. That’s what enriches the lives – and nightlife – for local residents, he says. “There’s a different crowd every night,” Harrison says. “Music just makes everybody have a good time.” by Melissa McDonald by staff photographer Michael Conti
Ladies and gentlemen: Goodhope Goulash. No, that’s not one of the menu items featured at Squealer’s Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Que, but one of several local bands that have played before large Thursday night crowds at the restaurant located on Great River Drive. “We’ve been welcoming music crowds on Thursday nights since early 2012, and word has spread so much that not only do local bands want to play here, but we’re also getting inquiries from groups based in cities like Atlanta, Birmingham and Jackson,” says Teresa Cranmore, who co-owns Squealer’s with her husband, Terrance. Cranmore says that besides Goodhope Goulash, other local bands who have graced the Squealer’s stage include The Al Brown All Stars and Blues Messengers. “Bands on Thursdays play from 6:30-9:30 p.m., and as the weather gets better in the spring and summer, we block off our parking lot to put tables and chairs outdoors to seat even more people,” she says. “We’re thinking of maybe adding another band night in the future, but for now, area music fans know that Squealer’s is the place to be on Thursday nights.”
CHICKEN AND CHARITIES As for its menu, the restaurant serves dishes such as pulled pork and chicken, brisket, steaks and half-pound burgers, plus a number of craft beers are on tap. The staff also gets involved in numerous charity efforts and has raised more than $1 million for worthy causes since opening in 1998. By Kevin Litwin l i va b i l i ty. c o m /m e r i d i a n /m s
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