Class of 2022

Geneva Seaton

Church and Community Pianist, Music Educator

Inducted by Logan Brasher, Former Student
September 10, 2022

Long described as the unsung heroes of the music industry, private music teachers are the bedrock of music industry professionals worldwide. Though it is not the most glamorous career in the world, studio music teachers have a way of impacting young musicians to a degree that ensemble directors and other musicians cannot. Such was the case with longstanding McNairy County piano teacher, Geneva Seaton.

Despite having no formal music training at the collegiate level, Mrs. Geneva was determined to pay it forward and educate a generation of musicians (and, later, another generation) in music. This determination stemmed from her great love of church music.

Long before she was a music teacher, Mrs. Geneva was a church musician. She has played the piano or organ in many churches throughout West Tennessee, North Alabama, and North Mississippi. But her first love was always Adamsville First Baptist Church, the Seaton family church for many years. She began playing the piano in what the congregation called the old, old church building in 1953 at the young age of 13, and she didn’t stop until 2015.

Mrs. Geneva firmly believed that church music should be done well and she took that closely held belief to her studio where she educated young musicians in the fundamentals of piano, as well as the traditions of excellent church music. Though her famous red pen made many a mark in their music books, her pupils will all attest to her long-suffering patience. I myself am a product of her labor, and I have done my best to pay it forward through leading excellent church music and educating students in the private studio and school music classroom.

As the pianist—and later organist—at Adamsville First Baptist Church for an incredible sixty-two years, Mrs. Geneva played countless services, revivals, weddings, funerals and other church functions, intimately impacting the lives of thousands of worshipers, mourners and celebrants with the power of music. Such was her commitment to her craft, her church and her community.

Mrs. Geneva was, herself, a lifelong student of music, beginning her instruction with the legendary Laura Jane Fullwood Thompson. After many hours of personal practice and mastery of the instrument in the church setting, she began sharing her love and knowledge of music with her own students, providing innumerable lessons in her home, community and local public schools. She was the accompanist for innumerable school programs and other events over the years, and lest we forget, Geneva Seaton was first an incredible musician in her own right.

Geneva Seaton is beloved by her community for her steadfast dedication and promotion of musical arts in all their rich and diverse forms, both sacred and secular. She is numbered among the most influential and respected musicians and music educators of her generation.

It is my great honor to induct Mrs. Geneva Seaton into the McNairy County Music Hall of Fame in the class of 2022.

George E. Knight

Old-time Musician and Entertainer

Inducted by Shawn Pitts, Arts in McNairy Traditional Arts Chair
September 10, 2022

George E. Knight was a talented vocalist and multi-instrumentalist best known for his old-time fiddle and clawhammer banjo mastery. Knight revered and emulated the banjo style and stage persona of Grand Ole Opry star, Uncle Dave Macon. Like Uncle Dave, Knight was quick with a song and a story, entertaining McNairy County audiences with down-home comedic and inspirational tales.

Knight was one of the most influential musicians of his generation, mentoring Hall of Fame banjoists Will Tom Murray and Ronnie Whitten, who would become respected banjo pickers in their own time. Hall of Fame mandolinist and fiddler, David Killingsworth, was also paying close attention and cites Knight's fiddle style as an influence. But it was perhaps nephew, Keith Emmons, who was most impacted by Knight's music. Knight was one of Emmons's earliest teachers and the Hall of Fame guitarist found some of his first musical collaborations in Knight's bluegrass and old-time dance bands, developing a completely unique flattop style built on Knight's foundation.

Knight was also interested in music history and played a significant role as a local preservationist. He had been deeply influenced by a number of early twentieth century musicians in the area and preserved several old-time tunes and styles from that earlier era, passing them along to a new generation of local musicians. Knight presented, on occasion for the McNairy County Historical Society, and other gathering, on the history of local music and went out of his way to preserve significant local music customs and instruments. Old-time fiddler, Theron Thomas, was a particularly influential figure in his early musical development and Knight inherited, cherished and played Thomas’s fiddle as long as he lived.

McNairy County Historian, Hall of Fame inductee, and musical collaborator, Bill Wagoner, vividly recalled Knight’s lyric reflections on the down-home magic of Theron Thomas's fiddling. A tribute Wagoner wrote shortly after his passing, reveals Knight's flare for seeing the poetry and humanity in everyday life. “When I was young,” Wagoner quoted Knight, “I would go down to his house just to listen to him play this old fiddle. One day he was fiddlin’ one of my favorite tunes, and I recollect how the sun rays were shining through the window. You could just see the rosin fogging about in the golden rays of sunlight.”

George Knight was a musicians musician, a fine traditional vocalist and a preservationist at heart. His profound influence lives on in the music of McNairy County even now.

It is my honor to induct George E. Knight into the McNairy County Music Hall of Fame in the class of 2022.

Ryan and Gina Foret

Musicians and Music Educators

Inducted by Eve Foret-Woodruff
September 10, 2022

Gina Locke Foret comes from a family of musicians with deep roots in McNairy County. No less than three members of her family are pervious Hall of Fame inductees. Her multitalented and beloved parents, Dwight and Freda Locke, were inducted in 2016 as was another relative, the legendary old-time fiddler, Waldo Davis.

In addition to the early exposure she had to country, gospel and Southern rock growing up in the Locke home, Gina was often at the knee of her grandmother, Newana Davis Vires, who, along with three talented siblings, played and sang with a popular, family gospel quartet who were equally adept at old-time and early country tunes.

Gina was a natural. She started singing with her parents at a very young age, took piano lessons, then joined the school band in the 5th grade. By the 6th grade at Selmer Middle School, she was already performing in honor bands and was top chair in regional and state events throughout her high school career at McNairy Central.

From there it was on to Louisiana State University were she excelled as a music major, playing in jazz band, wind ensemble, and various saxophone ensembles. A highlight of her college career was performing with a wind ensemble at Kennedy Center for Performing arts in Washington, DC. Gina earned undergraduate degrees in Music Performance and Music Education before returning to McNairy County as a music educator. When she came back home, she didn't come alone.

While at LSU Gina met Ryan Foret, a standout musician and graduate of South Terrebonne High School in Houma, Louisiana. Ryan was the first generation to leave the family shrimping and fishing business in pursuit of a musical education. He was a member of the LSU marching band, wind ensemble, and various chamber ensembles. During that time he also marched four years with drum corps, two of those years with the award-winning Cavaliers (Drum Corp International) in Chicago, Illinois. Ryan graduated from LSU with an undergraduate degree in Music Education, and lucky for McNairy County, he found the love of his life in Gina Locke as well as a second home in Selmer, Tennessee.

Ryan and Gina married in 1996 and a year later were hired by the McNairy County School Board. At the time of this award, they are approaching thirty years as music educators in McNairy County. Over the years, they have built the most decorated band program in McNairy Central's history, taking home top honors in concert and marching band festivals and competitions year after year. Their music programs have been honored with NAMM Community of Excellence in Music Education awards for 4 years, one of the few counties, rural or urban, in Tennessee to be so recognized. Both Ryan and Gina, have been recognize as teachers of the year in their respective schools, and Ryan was named McNairy County Teacher of the Year. These accolades, and numerous others, meant that the couple could have had their pick of schools in which to teach and build band programs, but they say McNairy County feels like where they were always meant to be. This is home.

In addition to school band programs, the Forets have also been involved in community music, playing with the Corinth Symphony Orchestra, Arts in McNairy musicals, and numerous church orchestras across West Tennessee and north Mississippi. Ryan was an inaugural board member for Arts in McNairy and he and Gina have continued to support and collaborate with the organization for community music programs.

Ryan and Gina's proudest achievements are their students and it is, perhaps, best to let them speak for themselves on the subject. As part of the information gathering process for this induction, the couple jointly wrote, "The trophies and awards are awesome, but the best thing has been seeing how music can impact and change these students’ lives and the fact that music offers a place for everyone: Seeing them grow in their love of music over their school career; seeing students who have gone on to other careers and places with their lives, but still carry life skills that are learned within the culture that is band; seeing students that go on to perform and participate in music in their adult lives. We’ve had many of our former students go into music education, music business, music performance, and music therapy." It is not now uncommon for the them to recruit fifth and sixth grade kids whose parents were students in the Forets' early band programs, extending their influence into the next generation. And that now includes their own kids.

The Forets say their greatest joy is their children, who they have raised in the McNairy County creative community. Emma, Claire, and Eve are all gifted musicians themselves, and they proudly carry on the long tradition of family music making and sharing. As adults, it was only natural that they would choose careers in music and eduction, extending the Foret's already considerable influence for another generation.

It is a great honor to induct Ryan and Gina Foret into the McNairy County Music Hall of Fame in the class of 2022.

Keith Emmons

Bluegrass, Country and Old-time Guitarist

Inducted by Lacy and Jason Smith, Daughter and Son in Law
September 10, 2022

Keith Emmons was born in 1949 and raised in Michie Tennessee. Both of his parents were musicians from musical families. His mother was a guitarist and harmonica player and his father periodically played mandolin on WCMA radio programs in Corinth Mississippi. Some of Keith’s earliest childhood memories were falling asleep to the radio, or live music going on in the house.

Keith received his first musical instrument from his brother, Billy. It was a used guitar given to him after it was damaged in a car accident, badly bending the neck. Billy didn’t want the busted instrument, so Keith’s father pulled the neck straight with baling wire, and so, Keith's musical career began in earnest. Not too fancy, but boy, did it ever work out!

Keith’s earliest musical influences were his mother Alcie, who always encouraged his music making, and his uncle, George E. Knight, who was revered as one of the best musicians around Michie, Tennessee. George E. Knight is also a 2022 McNairy County Music Hall of Fame inductee. Keith's dedicated practice put his old guitar out of tune pretty regularly and uncle George E. would come by and tune it for him. Finally one day, George E. said, “I’m not tuning this guitar anymore. If you’re going to play it, you’re going to have to learn to tune it.” More motivated now, Keith learned to tune for himself and he began to progress rapidly.

It wasn’t long before he was confident enough to perform in public. Keith often played guitar for his classmates at Michie elementary school during class music sessions at school-wide assemblies. His teachers, who seemed to recognize his growing talent, sometimes paused the classwork to allow him to play and students and teachers alike seemed to enjoy Keith's playing. They wouldn't be the last ones.

Coached by uncle, George E., and others, Keith would be became an excellent guitarist and, in time, one of the best rhythm pickers in the county, not to mention a respectable lead guitarist. George E. showed him how to play the down beat clearly on the bass strings and the upbeat on the other strings. “keep it simple and in time,” the master musician said. “Play it clean and in rhythm; no need to thrash around. You don’t beat it; you play it.” It was good advice, and Keith developed a unique, musical approach to the instrument that was based on the best local tradition, and his own unique style. His timing was impeccable, which suited his uncle's expansive dance repertoire.

Keith began playing with George E.’s bands at a popular square dance at Erbie Locke’s old skating rink, in Chewalla. His superb rhythm playing was quickly noticed by everyone, especially other musicians who appreciated Keith's elegant simplicity and unmatched musicianship. Sunday afternoons were often spent playing with musical friends such as Clyde Sargent, Carthel Sweat, Hall of Fame inductee David Killingsworth, and of course, uncle George E. It was a hothouse environment for learning new material, preserving the repertoires of the older pickers, and sharing various techniques.

Though he is best known for his solid rhythm picking, Keith was also an excellent lead player with a smooth, pleasing melodic style he often demonstrated on beloved traditional songs by the Carter Family, Earl Scruggs, and others. Scruggs is best remembered for his banjo playing but he was also a great guitar player and a Keith became an eager student of Scruggs style guitar, weaving it into his already considerable arsenal.

When he was old enough to get a paying job, the first thing Keith Emmons saved up for was a guitar. He had seen his favorite bluegrass pickers playing Martin guitars, so naturally, that was the brand he wanted. With a quality instrument and a new car, Keith was able to widen his musical circle. He played often on Buddy Bain’s WMCA Corinth radio program, and also appeared on Bain’s cable access TV programs. For good reason, he was getting well known and respected in regional music circles.

Keith met and began to collaborate with Hall of Fame banjoist, Ronnie Whitten which initiated a fruitful musical relationship that lasted many years. They were the dynamic duo. Ronnie was considered the most accomplished banjoist of his generation and Keith was already deeply respected for his versatile rhythm guitar playing. Their sound combined to dramatic effect, and was enhanced by Hall of Famer David Killingsworth’s virtuoso fiddle and mandolin. Robert and Keith Taylor rounded out the Ronnie Whitten Band and Keith always said that some of his favorite musical experiences happened at the Adamsville Bluegrass Jamboree playing with that fine group of musicians. The early years of the Adamsville Jamboree were well attended to the point of overflowing and Keith was a crowd favorite, not only with his guitar playing, but also his strong vocal performances.

Keith would later team up with Corinth bluegrass legend, Willie Eubanks, at Adamsville and other bluegrass shows around the region, and he enjoyed playing the banjo periodically, showing a real talent for that instrument too. But it was always Keith’s unique style and mastery of rhythm and timing on guitar that was so appreciated. He had, and gladly exercised, the ability to support and showcase the lead instrumentalists in every musical situation. He made everyone sound better with his clean playing and spot-on timing.

Keith has said that his three main local musical influences were his uncle, George E. Knight, Hall of Fame banjoist, Tom Murray, and his good friend, David Killingsworth. He credits these men with teaching him an improved sense of timing, playing melodically, and maybe more importantly, knowing when not to play. He said he learned all of this, and more, just watching and listening to them, but he was also able to filter those lesson through his own musical vision and produce a style of playing that was 100% his own. It’s the rare musician who can do that, and Keith Emmons was one of a kind.

It is with great pride that we induct Keith Emmons into the McNairy County Music Hall of Fame in the class of 2022.