Hits The Right Notes: Scott Joplin fest celebrates Texarkana's musical heritage

When most people think of Texarkana, for better or worse, the first thing that pops into their head is the Phantom Killer.

The second is Texarkana-born H. Ross Perot, a business legend who twice ran for president of this country.

That's the public at large.

But for those for whom music is a passion, the name Scott Joplin stands tall atop the list of our area's native sons.

Joplin was born here-or maybe in a nearby community-sometime in late 1867 or early 1868. No one can say for sure. He would die almost a half century later on April 1, 1917, in New York.

Though he lived for fewer than 50 years, Joplin packed a lot of life and talent into his time on earth.

He learned the piano at a young age and, legend has it, honed his skills playing in local bordellos. He taught piano and mandolin while working a railroad job and later took to the road as an itinerant musician, going wherever he could find work.

It was while living in St. Louis that Joplin became one of the best-known and most beloved ragtime composers in the country. His works, including the classic "Maple Leaf Rag" and "The Entertainer," later made famous as the theme to the film "The Sting," earned him the title "King of Ragtime." He also wrote two operas, though he was not particularly successful outside the ragtime genre in his lifetime. Long after his death though, his opera "Treemonisha" would earn him a posthumous Pulitzer Prize.

Texarkana has been proud of its connection to Joplin. And this weekend there's a celebration planned to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of his death.

Organized by David Mallette and The Regional Music Heritage Center, The Scott Joplin International Centennial Celebration begins Friday and continues through Sunday at the historic Perot Theatre and Silvermoon on Broad Street.

Ragtime pianist Reginald Robinson will perform with vocalist Roseanna Vitro, who graduated from Arkansas High School and was nominated for a Grammy in 2012. Other performers will take the stage as well, including the Texarkana Trio, a rockabilly band from Belgium and the Netherlands.

There will be a tribute to Elvis as well, and the spotlight will shine on locals Dr. Carl "Cheesie" Nelson and Pat Cupp.

Friday night a preview party is scheduled at Silvermoon, with performances by the Texarkana Trio, Dr. John Tennison, Roseanna Vitro and Carol Miles and Three of a Kind with Candace Taylor.

Saturday kicks off with area students competing in the Four States Student Jazz Showcase, with the winners appearing that night at the Perot. A memorial and street sign dedication will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Several Joplin-related videos will play from 1 p.m. at the Museum of Regional History

The big event Saturday night begins at 7 p.m. at the Perot. Festivities highlighting Texarkana's rock 'n' roll heritage are scheduled for Sunday.

Got to http://www.texarkanarmhc.org/ for a comprehensive schedule of events and purchase tickets.

We look forward to all three days of the celebration. We think you should, too. It's a great way to showcase the positive notes of our past and our heritage. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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