Story & Photography by Woody Woodard

The 2017 Jackson Chamber’s Annual Celebration was held at the Carl Grant Center at Union University to a sold-out crowd of over 400. The event honored businesses, industries and non-profit organizations and had one of the largest turnouts to date. President Kyle Spurgeon and his staff decided to change the format and feature Jackson’s musical heritage by referencing the change to music by Jackson’s own Carl Perkins and his song “Blue Swade Shoes.” (Swade is the way it was spelled on the original document.)

Johnny Cash’s song, “Jackson,” inspired Josh Smith and Dave Thomas to write the song “Jackson’s Still My Home” as a new marketing strategy anthem song. It was recorded by local recording label The Hub City All Stars. The Chamber is hopeful the song will gain attention in the Memphis and Nashville markets as well as nationwide! With Jackson’s rich musical history, it is time Jackson moves into the spotlight in the music industry.

Winner of this year’s awards were The Jackson Arts Council for Non-Profit of the Year; Performance Running of West Tennessee for Emerging Business of the Year; Stanley Black & Decker for Industry of the Year; Southwest Tennessee Development District for West Tennessee Healthcare Health & Wellness Award; Picasso Bistro Pizzeria for Business of the Year 1-49 Employees; H & M Company, Inc. for Business of the Year 50+ Employees; and Amy West for Volunteer of the Year

The Annual Celebration was presented by West Tennessee Healthcare. Additional event sponsors for the Celebration included Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC; Commercial Bank and Trust Company; Horne CPAs & Business Advisors; Steele Martin Jones & Co. PLC; Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. – Steve & Brad Little; and West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation.