Published on September 9th, 2015 | by Newt Rayburn

Local Entertainment Law Group Hosts Fundraiser at Proud Larry’s in Oxford, Mississippi Featuring Jimmy “Duck” Holmes and George McConnell

[Edited on September 10 at noon: Izzy Robinson wanted to make clear that the group is not providing legal services.]

Oxford, Miss (TLV) – The newly formed Mississippi Entertainment Law Organization is hosting a fundraiser at Proud Larry’s in Oxford, Mississippi on Thursday, September 10, 2015. Featured live music will included bluesman Jimmy “Duck” Holmes of Bentonia and Oxford musician George McConnell, formerly of Beanland and Widespread Panic.

Jimmy “Duck” Holmes.

The Mississippi Entertainment Law Organization (MELO) is a group of law students at Ole Miss who hope to host education panels and symposiums in the future to provide information on entertainment law. The group seeks to raise funds to educate in copyright, trademark, and contract law.

“We hope to help local musicians in the entertainment industry,” said the group’s organizer Izzy Robinson. “It seems there are many musicians who are unfamiliar with copyright and contract law.”

George McConnell. Photograph by Newt Rayburn.

MELO will be hosting their fall benefit concert on September 10, and will have another similar event in the Spring. The group hopes that locals and musicians will come out to check available services and support their mission.

Featured musician Jimmy “Duck” Holmes is a bluesman from Bentonia, Mississippi, where he owns the The Blue Front Cafe, a juke joint 30 miles northwest of Jackson. The cafe is recognized on the Mississippi Blues Trail. Holmes was recorded by several people, including Alan Lomax during the 1970s, but did not release his first album until 2006 on the Broke and Hungry label.

George McConnell is the local guitarist wide known and praised for his work with Beanland, Widespread Panic, and The Nonchalants. McConnell has toured all over the country and released many albums over the years, including his most recent, Cheers Sports Fans.

Tags: 208 oxford, Alan Lomax, Beanland, blues, Broke and Hungry, duck, George McConnell, Izzy Robinson, Jackson, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, Jimmy Holmes, Mississippi Blues Trail, Mississippi Entertainment Law Organization Fundraiser, Newt Rayburn, Ole Miss, Oxford, Proud Larry's, The Nonchalants, Widespread Panic

About the Author

Newt Rayburn Newt Rayburn founded THE LOCAL VOICE in March of 2006. Previously, Newt was Editor of PROFANE EXISTENCE in Minneapolis, and Art Director for Ole Miss' LIVING BLUES magazine. Newt won a National Magazine Award in 1999 for his SOUTHERN MUSIC ISSUE with THE OXFORD AMERICAN. A seventh-generation Lafayette County, Mississippian, Newt Rayburn's alter ego—Neuter Cooter—lead the Mississippi band THE COOTERS to Rocknoll Glory across the USA from 1993-2018. Newt is a family man who also is a publisher, photographer, writer, musician, landlord, and Civil War enthusiast.