Curtis Inabinett, Jr., Member of Council in the Town of Ravenel conceived the idea of having a Music Festival in the St. Paul’s area of Charleston County that would highlight the talents of prominent musicians from in, and around the low country.
At the June 2008 Ravenel Council meeting Inabinett introduced his idea, which was received with favor from Mayor Baldwin and Council. A meeting was then convened with Mayor Jacquelyn Heyward of Hollywood and Mayor Opal Baldwin of Ravenel, where the idea was formally introduced. The two Mayors agreed, and special call meetings were scheduled for the two Councils. After confirmation of a joint budget, the First Annual St. Paul’s Labor Day Music Festival was launched, and plans were put in motion to make the festival a reality, and annual event. A committee was formed which consist of Mayor Baldwin, Mayor Heyward, Councilman Curtis Inabinett, Jr, Beth Carpenter, (the Assistant to Mayor Heyward), Councilwoman Annette Sausser of Hollywood, and Former Ravenel Councilwoman Ethel Inabinett. A grant application was then submitted to the Charleston County Grants Department and approved by County Council. The funds received enabled the festival to get off to a very good start.
On Labor Day 2008 over 800 people from in and around Charleston County were entertained with a day of music and fun. Festival goers came from as far as Wilmington, NC as well as from parts of Georga. The festivities started with a prayer by Rev. Charles Linen followed by the National Anthem. The MC for the event was Magic's 107.3 Radio Personality DJ Jazzy J of the stations popular Sunday Morning Jazz Show. The day’s line up included the Sam Dennis Gospel Singers, the S2 Band, local Saxophone Legend Lonnie Hamilton and his All Stars, the Brad Henty Blues Band Featuring Harp Player Juke Joint Johnny, the Soul Sensations, and rounding out the evening, Ah Touch of Class.
The 1st Annual Life Time Achievement Award was presented to Councilman Curtis Inabinett, Sr., for his 50 years of service to the St. Paul’s Community as a Teacher, Principal, Mayor, Member of the SC General Assembly and current Charleston County Councilman, and for being a true friend.
Inspite of our uncertain economy, the 2009 Plans are underway, and we hope to have a bigger and better festival than last year. This event is free and open to the public, and we do accept donations. We're asking that you please support us by providing a financial contribution. You can mail it to any one of the addresses above or drop it by either Town Hall. A Bank account is set up at the
Bank of Walterboro, Highway 17/Savannah Highway Ravenel, SC 29470, so donations can be made there in the name of "The St. Pauls Music Festival". All official financial records are kept by the town of Ravenel.
Any musical performance groups that are interested in taking part in the annual festival must mail a video taped (VHS or DVD) submission to Beth Carpenter at the Hollywood Town Hall. All submissions must be in by January of the year of the festival.
A special thanks goes out to Margaret Blackmer for providing some of the photos that are displayed on this site. The photos were up loaded by the originator of the site, and due to the technical components that are embedded within the make up of the site her name is not referenced to any of the photos.
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