News

Sunken Lands Songwriting Circle Concert This Month; Tickets Available

Sunken Lands Songwriting Circle Concert This Month; Tickets Available

Photo: Contributed/Arkansas State University


Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – The fourth annual Sunken Lands Songwriting Circle concert is taking place later this month at Arkansas State University.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Riceland Hall of Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Dr. A reception will be held in the Grand Hall of Fowler Center starting at 5:30 p.m., which is open to all ticket holders.

“The reception will feature themed heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages based on Johnny Cash’s career,” said Adam Long, director of the Heritage Sites. “We will also have a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the ongoing operations of the Historic Dyess Colony: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home.”

ADD US ON GOOGLE NEWS: Click here to see more local news from Jonesboro Right Now

This year, the concert will feature artists Ruthie Foster and Rhett Miller. The event is curated and hosted by Rosanne Cash, with accompaniment by John Leventhal.  

“The Sunken Lands Songwriting Circle is an intimate evening of songs and stories,” Long added. “We will hear some of the country’s best songwriters play their songs and talk about the process of creating them. All of the artists will share the stage, singing and storytelling in conversation with each other.”

This event expands Johnny Cash’s musical legacy by recognizing world-class songwriters and performers.

“Proceeds from this event fund the ongoing operations of the Boyhood Home, an important cultural institution in Northeast Arkansas,” Long continued.  

The Historic Dyess Colony: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home preserves the 1935 home of the Cash family in Dyess, Arkansas, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2018, and celebrates Johnny Cash’s life and music.

Restoration of the New Deal-era home was made possible through a series of music festival benefits held at Arkansas State University, beginning in 2011.

The Judd Hill Foundation, Jonesboro A & P Commission, and Sam and Molly Jackson are sponsors of the event.

Tickets ranging from $27.75 to $109.80 are available through Ticketmaster, at the central box office located near the red entrance of First National Bank Arena, 217 Olympic Dr., and by phone at 870-972-2781.

| DAILY BRIEF: Sign up for the Jonesboro Right Now Daily Brief Newsletter

This Week in Jonesboro

Music News

5 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Dolly Parton estate announces 2-day festival ‘Dollyfest’ to celebrate her legacy

Dolly Parton is not done yet. The estate behind the icon, who died of cancer last week at age 80, has announced Dollyfest, a two-day festival to be held in Nashville and London across two consecutive weekends in 2027.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Australia’s music industry bans AI-generated tracks from official charts

Australia's recorded music industry will bar tracks wholly generated by artificial intelligence from official charts as burgeoning generative technologies threaten artists' livelihoods, a representative said on Tuesday.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

After losing a friend and writing ‘Say So,’ Dan + Shay are back with the autobiographical ‘Young’

The lead single from Grammy Award-winning duo Dan + Shay's forthcoming album "Young" is a hard pivot from the wedding songs that make up so much of the country pair's discography.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Frank Beard, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer of boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77

Frank Beard, the drummer for the Texas boogie-rock trio ZZ Top who kept the tempo for the band's biggest hits like "Sharp Dressed Man," "Legs" and "Gimme All Your Lovin,'" has died. He was 77.

3 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Madonna leads 2026 MTV Video Music Awards nominations, followed by Taylor Swift

Madonna leads the 2026 MTV Video Music Award nominations, the network announced Tuesday. The pop superstar has been nominated in every decade of her musical career. She has 19 competitive MTV VMA wins and in 1986 became the first solo female artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award.