North Little Rock, Ark.— The Oxford American magazine on Saturday, Jan. 16 will present "A Night of Arkansas Stars," featuring performances by legendary Arkansas musicians in two venues on Main Street in the historic Argenta district of North Little Rock.

The evening celebrates the publication of The Oxford American's 11th annual Southern Music issue, which for the first time focuses on the musical heritage of one Southern state: Arkansas.   A happy hour will begin at 5 p.m. at Cregeen's Irish Pub, and the Starving Artist Cafe will be offering a special dinner that night.   The music will begin at 7 p.m., featuring performers who were profiled in The Oxford American's Southern Music issue:

7-8 p.m.: Larry Donn (Reno's Argenta Cafe)

8-9 p.m.: Sonny Burgess & the Legendary Pacers (Cornerstone Pub & Grill)

9-10 p.m.: Jim Mize (Reno's Argenta Cafe)

10-11 p.m.: True Soul Band (Cornerstone Pub & Grill)

11:30 p.m.-1 a.m.: Sleepy Labeef (Cornerstone Pub & Grill)     An all-access pass for the evening is available for $20 by visiting <http://www.oxfordamerican.org/> or calling 501-320-5730.  The all-access pass can also be purchased that night at 305 Main Street (next to Cregeen's Irish Pub), which will also serve as the Will Call location.

A Night of Arkansas Stars is made possible through the generous support of the Argenta Community Development Corporation, the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, and Tyson Foods.   The Oxford American’s annual Southern Music issue has won two National Magazine Awards and other high honors since it was first introduced in 1999.  The New York Times once wrote, “The Oxford American may be the liveliest literary magazine in America … The CDs are so smart and eclectic they probably belong in the Smithsonian.”  The Southern Music issue has showcased both famous and criminally neglected musicians, everyone from R.E.M. to the Gants, Isaac Hayes to Erma Franklin, Lucinda Williams to Karen Dalton, Carl Perkins to the Armstrong Twins, Willie Nelson to Gary Stewart, Jerry Lee Lewis to Nellie Lutcher and more.  Stanley Crouch, Peter Guralnick, Steve Martin, Rosanne Cash, Nick Tosches and Kevin Brockmeier have contributed writing to the Southern Music Issues.

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