FANCY FRETWORK

Books, Bourbon & Boogie bags bucks for Oxford American

Bluegrass great Jerry Douglas and his band of merry pickers, the Earls of Leicester, raised the roof of South on Main for Oxford American's largest annual fundraiser, Books, Bourbon & Boogie. The Oct. 14 barn-burner drew some 160 people and raised roughly $48,000.

South on Main's overalls-wearing bartending genius, David Burnette, mixed up signature cocktails for the event, all featuring Four Roses bourbon: The Flatt & Scruggs, The Flux and the Rattle & Roar.

A silent auction including mostly books kept guests occupied until dinner. Matthew Bell slaved over a cooker out back to provide a buffet of smoked pork, rosemary-grilled chicken and fire-roasted salmon, tilapia and mahi mahi. Four Roses sponsored the food and beverages, along with the Tulsa folks who are developing a couple of new bars on Capitol Avenue -- Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge and Fassler Hall.

A live auction conducted by Brad Wooley included a collection of six signed and/or limited edition hardback books, all with certificates of authenticity from Alabama Booksmith; an hourlong house concert by jazz pianist Peter Martin (this includes delivery of an acoustic piano and tuning); and a pair of boxing gloves signed by Muhammad Ali. The gloves are believed to be among the last pairs signed by the boxer in the early 1990s. Ali was featured in Oxford American's 2006 Southern Music issue and CD.

The last item was a week in an ocean-view cabin on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, scheduled for Oct. 21-28 of next year. Past cruise performers include Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, Irma Thomas, Keb' Mo', Los Lobos, Ruthie Foster and Charlie Musselwhite, among others.

When Douglas took the stage, the crowd came to life during the Earls of Leicester's renditions of bluegrass favorites including "Black Eyed Susie" and Flatt & Scruggs' wildly popular "Earl's Breakdown."

High Profile on 10/23/2016

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