The Garland County Historical Society, in association with the Garland County Library, will present "Secret Sounds of the Spa: Uncovering Hot Springs' Hidden Cultural Legacy" at noon Tuesday at the library.
The public is welcome to attend in person, or can view the program virtually at facebook.com/garlandcountylibrary or youtube.com/garlandcolibrary.
"This program by Stephen Koch will focus on the musical history of the area and some of the greats who called Hot Springs home, such as Henry Glover, Louis Jordan, Bonnie 'Little Blossom' Dodd, Marjorie Lawrence, Junie C. Cobb, Patsy Montana, and Big John Greer. Koch will also detail efforts to preserve and celebrate this legacy," a news release said.
"Appropriately, the program will be given on the 100th anniversary of the birth in Hot Springs of Greer, a blues tenor saxophonist and vocalist" best known for his recordings from 1948 to 1956, including "Got You on My Mind," "Bottle It Up and Go," and "We Wanna See Santa Claus Do The Mambo."
The program will feature sound clips of performances by the Hot Springs natives or residents, whose achievements in blues, jazz, R&B, country music, and opera "have received national and international recognition," the release said.
Koch "is an award-winning journalist in both broadcasting and print, with a focus on the culture of the Mid-Southern United States."
An author, musician, playwright, and illustrator, Koch is also writer-host of Arkansongs, a weekly public radio program syndicated on stations in Texas, Louisiana, and all across Arkansas. He has been on the air for more than 25 years. He's the author of "Louis Jordan: Son of Arkansas, Father of R&B." His forthcoming book, "From Almeda to Zilphia," chronicles the Arkansas women who have shaped American popular song and will be published in spring 2024 by Et Alia Press.
Big John Greer learned to play the saxophone at Langston High School in Hot Springs. He later won fame as a blues tenor saxophonist, vocalist and songwriter. (Submitted photo courtesy of Garland County Historical Society)
Hot Springs native Henry Glover was one of the most influential recording executives of the 1950s and the author of chart-topping hits like "Peppermint Twist" and "Drown in My Own Tears." (Submitted photo courtesy of Garland County Historical Society)
Country-western singer/songwriter Patsy Montana was born at Beaudry in northwest Garland County. She was the first female country performer to have a million-selling single with her signature song "I want to Be a Cowboys Sweetheart" and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. (Submitted photo courtesy of Garland County Historical Society)
Louis Jordan — saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and bandleader — is just one of the musical greats from Hot Springs that Stephen Koch will shine a light on at the Garland County Historical Societys meeting at noon Tuesday. (Submitted photo courtesy of Garland County Historical Society)