The Daily Mississippian April 27, 2023

MISSISSIPPIAN

Rooster’s owner arrested on kidnapping and sexual battery charges

Ole Miss football signee arrested after allegedly evading police

Ole Miss football signee DeeJay Holmes Jr. was arrested on Monday, April 24, at 7:28 p.m. in Palm Beach, Fla.

Holmes faces a third-degree felony charge for allegedly eluding an officer with active sirens in Palm Beach County, according to The Palm Beach Post’s Emilee Smarr.

The three-star edge rusher was held on a $3,000 bond, which was paid, resulting in his release at 12:56 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25.

When asked to comment about Holmes’ arrest, the Ole Miss Athletics Department did not answer.

As a high school senior, the standout from Pahokee, Fla., held more than 20 offers from schools,

including Colorado, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Cincinnati, Western Kentucky and Coastal Carolina. However, Holmes committed to head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels on Feb. 1 and signed his National Letter of Intent that day.

As a member of the Pahokee high school football team, Holmes received the Athlete of the Year award from the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. During his previous two seasons, Holmes recorded 52 sacks and 86 quarterback hurries.

During his time at Pahokee, Holmes wore the No. 6 jersey, which was last worn at the school by former NFL great Anquan Boldin. Prior to this, the number was retired, but Holmes requested to

A crowd forms outside of many of the bars on the Square on a Friday night.

FILE PHOTO: CHRISTIAN JOHNSON / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN SEE DOUBLE DECKER

Not our parents’ economy: How will inflation affect you?

Economists at J.P. Morgan have calculated that inflation has outpaced wages for the past 22 consecutive months, and some fear a recession may hit by the end of the year.

Adedayo Ogunniran, a doctoral candidate in economics at the University of Mississippi and graduate instructor, shared his opinion and knowledge on how inflation will affect citizens of the United States and, specifically, Mississippi.

“What we call inflation is basically a sustained increase in the price of goods and services in an economy over a time period,” Ogunniran said.

Inflation disproportionately affects those earning the least. People living paycheck-to-paycheck and in low-income areas are especially vulnerable to price increases, especially when considering that the United States’ federal minimum wage is now around 40% lower than in 1970. Though the real dollar amount has increased, inflation has caused purchasing power to decrease.

This steady rise of the inflation rate hurts Mississippi residents as the price of groceries and other necessities rise in turn.

“One direct implication of high inflation, especially when income levels are unchanged, is a reduction in the purchasing power of every consumer,” Ogunniran said. “Consumers are having to spend the same amount of income to purchase more expensive goods.”

He stated that Mississip-

continued from page 1

John Scott Michael, 52, of Oxford was arrested Monday on charges of kidnapping and sexual battery. Micheal is the owner of a popular Oxford bar, Rooster’s Blues House, and a former candidate for a seat on the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors.

According to a release from the Oxford Police Department, officers responded to Courthouse Square for a report of a person needing assistance on April 12.

The person who filed the report claimed that a male sexually assaulted them. A detective was notified and carried out an investigation.

In a sworn affidavit from April 17 obtained by The Daily Mississippian, the victim, an Ole Miss student, alleges that Michael locked them in his office while they were intoxicated and would not let them leave. In addition, they alleged that Michael locked them inside a bedroom with himself and would not let them leave.

According to the Mississippi Code, this constitutes kidnapping.

Michael’s bond was set at

pi is one of the states hit hardest by this rise in inflation.

“The erosion in purchasing power is more excruciating for consumers in low-income states like Mississippi. The real median household income in the state of Mississippi is $46,637, which is 34% below the national average of $70,784. The U.S. Census Bureau also estimates that about 19.4% of Mississippians are living in poverty, which is the highest you will find among all the 50 states in the country,” Ogunniran said. Mississippi has enacted no minimum wage increase laws, and follows the federal mini-

mum wage of $7.25 per hour. Regarding the cause for this rise in inflation, Ogunniran brought up the devastating impacts the COVID-19 pandemic had on the United States economy.

“There was supply shock inflation after COVID hit in 2020, and even though the economy is gradually recovering from the pandemic, we are still experiencing some supply shortages,” Ogunniran said. “The supply shock effect has been compounded by a cost-push factor, as we’ve seen gas and diesel prices rise after the war between Ukraine and Russia tightened the global supply of crude oil.”

World events such as these have left many students feeling uneasy about earning the money necessary to keep up with the rising prices. Senior biology major Tyler Gangwer expressed his plan to take a gap year before applying to medical school.

“With how the market is going, I am worried that the price of things like groceries will be so high that I won’t be able to save for bigger purchases like a new car or a house, especially with an entry level salary,” Gangwer said.

Senior international studies and political science major Mary Nemček, who plans to move to

Huntsville, Ala. after graduation, is similarly worried about the future of the economy. Planning to work as a high school teacher, an overly saturated job market is not the first of those concerns.

“It’s only a matter of time before one big expense comes, and then you’re in trouble. As someone with debt from student loans, that’s a scary possibility,” Nemček said. “There aren’t very many jobs available to graduating students that let people live a middle-class lifestyle and cover unexpected expenses. This is not our parents’ economy anymore.”

Ogunnirian is more optimistic for the future, though, and touched on typical inflation trends.

“On a bright note, economic theory suggests that an increase in the prices of goods and services sometimes leads to an increase in the demand for workers to supply them,” Ogunniran said. “The possibility of this increasing job growth in some fields should be comforting to seniors graduating and entering into the labor market.”

He explained that the inflation rate should continue to decrease in the coming months.

“The outlook for inflation generally seems positive in the medium term. The U.S. Federal Reserve has been taking an aggressive monetary policy stance to curtail inflation in the economy, which portends a greater level of price stability,” Ogunniran said. “We should also continue to see inflationary pressures ease further as businesses continue to recover from the pandemic.”

Hal Fox contributed reporting.

FRIDAY, April 28 4am cars towed on

$50,000 dollars by a Lafayette County Justice Court judge on April 24. Has Michael been released from custody after paying bond? Or is he still in custody? Also, does he have an attorney on record who might comment on the charges?

Michael is also the author of a book, “Mississippi Killer Blues.”

According to the Square Books website, the book tells the story of a fictional man named Rooster Feathers, owner of Rooster’s Blues House and a licensed private investigator, as he attempts to solve a series of disappearances of women on the backroads of Lafayette County, Miss.

FRIDAY, April 28 4:30pm - 11pm Saturday, April 29 9:30am - midnight

GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

John Scott Micheal was arrested on April 24.

PHOTO COURTESY: OXFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT

One night too short: Morgan Wallen cancels second show

KHARLEY REDMON thedmnews@gmail.com

History was made last weekend when Morgan Wallen became the first artist to both perform and cancel a show at the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium with his “One Night At A Time” world tour.

The 29-year-old Tennessee native and country music superstar was scheduled to perform two shows in Oxford, one on Saturday, April 22, and a second the following night. After a successful set on Saturday, those with tickets for Sunday night’s performance were ready for the show.

Openers Zimmerman, ERNEST and HARDY performed their sets as expected but when Wallen was supposed to take the stage, the following message flashed on the big screens in the stadium:

“Ladies and gentlemen, unfortunately Morgan has lost his voice and is unable to perform tonight - therefore tonight’s show has been canceled. Please make your way safely to the stadium exits. Refunds for tonight’s event will be available at point of purchase beginning tomorrow.”

Wallen posted a message on his Instagram account.

“After last night’s (Saturday’s) show I started losing my voice so I spent the day resting up, talking to my doctor and working through my vocal exercises trying to get better,” Wallen said. “I really thought I’d be able to take the stage and it kills me to deliver this so close to showtime, but my voice is shot and I am unable to sing … I am so sorry, I promise you guys I tried everything I could.”

The announcement was met with a flood of disappointment. University of Mississippi student Cole Brooks and his wife were Sunday attendees.

“Me and my wife were in the restroom and she got a call from her friend and said (to me), ‘Hey they just canceled everything,’” Brooks said. “People were very up -

set, people were angry. People said, ‘No way he lost his voice. They would have told us this way before.’”

Brooks said they spent $1,000 for two pit tickets through a secondhand seller and are expected to be transferred the money at some point in the future.

Despite the disappointment, Brooks is keeping a gracious attitude towards the situation.

“It sucks, it’s rough, but at the same time that’s his job and everybody’s called out of work before. You’ve got to be understanding with it,” Brooks said.

While nothing is substantiated, many attendees speculated that Wallen did not lose his voice, but rather lost to the infamous Oxford party scene.

“I heard he was blacked out and just couldn’t make it,” Todd Raredon, a student at UM, said. “He should have been honest about it if that’s true, but maybe it’s not.”

Ole Miss Athletics, which indicated it would refund the price of all tickets ordered through its ticket office, gave the following statement about the weekend’s events and cancellation:

“We are deferring comment to Morgan’s social media post from last night at this time.”

Wallen’s subsequent shows in Illinois, Michigan and Nebraska were postponed to accommodate his health.

The Daily Mississippian reached out to Wallen’s publicist for further comments about the weekend’s events and cancellation, but received no comment.

Despite the Sunday performance ending in tumult, Wallen’s Saturday performance was considered by many to be a success.

Wallen first gained recognition as a contestant on the popular TV show “The Voice.” Since then, he has released three albums and garnered eight No. 1 singles on country music radio as well as honors such as performing at the Grand Ole Opry.

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN EDITORIAL staff

VIOLET JIRA editor-in-chief dmeditor@gmail.com

ZACH SPOONER managing editor dmmanaging@gmail.com

REESE ANDERSON copy chief thedmcopy@gmail.com

HAL FOX enterprise news editor thedmnews@gmail.com

ASHLYNN PAYNE news editor thedmnews@gmail.com

JUSTICE ROSE opinion editor thedmopinion@gmail.com

CLAY HALE arts and culture editor thedmfeatures@gmail.com

CAROLINE MCCUTCHEN assistant arts and culture editor thedmfeatures@gmail.com

AIDAN GALLARDO sports editor thedmsports@gmail.com

CAMERON LARKIN assistant sports editor thedmsports@gmail.com

ASHTON SUMMERS photo editor thedmphotos@gmail.com

This tour comes on the heels of his new 36-song album, “One Thing At A Time,” which includes hit songs “Last Night” and “You Proof.”

Many people attending Saturday’s show, like University of Mississippi students Emmy Namorato, Haley Reed and Bella DellaMaggiore, were initially surprised to learn that Wallen was coming to Oxford but bought tickets as soon as possible.

“All of my friends at home go to school in New York and the Carolinas, and when I told them that Morgan was coming to our football stadium, they were in shock,” said Namarato. “(All of us here) bought presale.”

Their tickets, which were in the pit, cost around $670 each.

Malik Porter, who also attends the University of Mississippi, expected a high-energy show with lots of singing along from the crowd.

“I’m really excited to hear ‘Your Bartender,’ ‘This Bar’ and ‘Cowgirl.’” Porter said.

Jennifer Fines, a North Mississippi resident, was among the first in line. Hav -

ERIN FOLEY LIBBY FLANAGAN design editors thedmdesign@gmail.com

SEDLEY NORMAND visuals editor thedmvisuals@gmail.com

SAVANNAH SHOOK

AVERY THOMAS social media managers thedmsocialmedia@gmail.com

WILL JONES multimedia editor dailymissmedia@gmail.com

AVERY WILLIAMS online editor thedmonline@gmail.com

When it is decided that The Daily Mississippian will take an editorial stance on an issue, the following positions will make decisions as the Editorial Board: editor-in-chief, managing editor, copy chief, sports editor and opinion editor.

ing attended one of Wallen’s concerts before, she shared what people should expect.

“It is an act. It’s a great show, enough to come back again and again and do it again.”

While Wallen’s performances have been highly anticipated, many have been critical of his presence due to the singer’s past controversies.

Most notably, Wallen was caught on tape using a racial slur. The incident happened in January 2021, and the footage was released the following month. Shortly after the incident, Wallen released an apology video along with statements to various news outlets.

Attendees of Saturday’s concert shared their thoughts on Wallen’s actions.

“We don’t think about it at all,” Fines said. “You know, he went to rehab for 30 days after, and nobody thinks about that. We are definitely not judging.”

Mississippi State student Grace Goodloe shared her perspective as an African American attendee of the concert.

“What he did doesn’t go unseen or unheard. We all know what happened,” Good -

S. Gale denley student media center

LARZ ROBERTS Director of Student Media

DENNIS MOORE Editorial Director

ROY FROSTENSON Assistant Director/Advertising

JAYLIN JONES Advertising Sales Manager dmads@olemiss.edu

SALES ACCOUNT

EXECUTIVES

Owen Pustell

Dylan Sheu

Caleb Perkins

Kendall Scott

loe said. “But at the end of the day, I firmly believe that a person is a person that makes mistakes. I think everybody deserves forgiveness in that area, and he was thoroughly genuine when he apologized about it. We don’t forget, but we forgive, and that’s the biggest thing.”

As an African American student attending the university, Porter said that although he is a fan of Wallen and shares Goodloe’s perspective on the situation, bringing an artist with a controversial past like Wallen does say something about the university.

“This is not the first time something like this has happened, and (the university) is showing that (it) kind of doesn’t care,” Porter said. “(To do better Ole Miss could) stand on our principles as a school or what (it) says we stand for as a school.”

Despite the controversy, thousands of people attended the concert. Wallen and his openers put on an undeniably good Saturday night performance.

Morgan Wallen packs out Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on night one of “One Night at a Time” tour.

KHARLEY REDMON / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

CAROLINE MCCUTCHEN

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

Each spring, the Double Decker Arts Festival on the Oxford Courthouse Square features the handiwork of talented local artists. At this year’s festival, more than 100 artists will showcase their creations from a diverse range of disciplines from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 29.

“The event is going to have a plethora of fine artists and craftspeople. We’re going to show people how these arts are actually impacting our community,” Wayne Andrews, director of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, said. “It’s an opportunity for people to really get a visualization of why things like Double Decker and artists are so important.”

Through the council’s Community Supported Arts program, local creative entrepreneurs are granted the opportunity to pur -

Oxford’s flourishing arts scene on full display at Double Decker

sue their artistic dreams.

From Macon Humphris and Graham Hamaker’s hand-dyed overalls and apparel brand, Grapefruit, to Crystal’s Custom Craft Creations, the CSA program allows artists to share their experiences and invites community members to support their businesses through purchasing artists’ work.

At the Arts Council’s Double Decker booth, visitors will have the opportunity to engage with artisans and learn more about their crafts and businesses.

“Our goal is to build a sense of community,” Andrews said. “We’re having a showcase so people can learn about the Arts Council and learn about the contributions artists make, not just artistically but towards entrepreneurship and community development.”

In addition to career artists, the festival will feature expressive work from students of the Oxford High School Art Club.

“We will have a variety of mixed media in our booth, from ceramics, acrylic and oil paintings to pencil,

charcoal and colored pencil drawings,” Oxford High fine arts director Tiffany Priewe said. “You can expect to see portraits, fashion design, graphic style art, emotional pieces and all sorts of imaginative creations.”

Priewe shared that having an artistic space enables students to escape the stress and pressure of their lives and explore various avenues of expression.

“I could not be more proud of them. They continue to inspire and motivate me as their teacher, and I cannot wait to see what amazing accomplishments the art club tackles next year,” Priewe said.

Because the fine arts department at Oxford High School offers an array of classes and opportunities from photography to visual arts, students are given the unique opportunity to not only explore their passions, but also to publicly share their creations at art shows.

“Visitors will see a variety of different art pieces made by a variety of different OHS art students, each piece with its own personality and meaning,”

Oxford High School Art Club President Madelyn

Parsons said. “We allow our students to work with any medium of art, whether that is paint, pencil, photography or ceramics.”

Along with local artists, the event will feature artists visiting from around the globe.

Larisa Warhol, founder of Green Earth Climate Action, has lived in East Africa since 2015.She discovered the hidden gem of Oxford when the pandemic impeded her environmental projects in East Africa.

GECA is a nonprofit organization that collaborates with farmers to promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Warhol’s career in developing sustainable practices inspired her to pursue art with a purpose of functionality. She intertwines her passion for environmental preservation and practice of woven arts to create hand-made custom baskets.

“Oxford has a very special place in my heart,” Warhol said. “I encourage people to stop by and chat with us to learn more

about Green Earth Climate Action and ways they can get involved.”

Visiting Oxford for the first time, David Fortenberry plans to share a craft passed down for generations through his business, Smoky Mountain Bow Knife. Beginning almost 30 years ago, Smoky Mountain Bow Knife offers a variety of handcrafted kitchenware, ranging from Tupelo gum dough bowls to its famous exotic wooden bow knives.

“ What inspires me is seeing my work go from a bare piece of wood to a finished piece that they are proud to have in their kitchen,” Fortenberry said. “I love how proud people are to have my craft in their own kitchens, and hopefully it will get passed to their own children.”

Fortenberry shared that his craft consists of traditional woodworking as opposed to computerized manufacturing in order to yield pieces of exceptional quality for his customers.

Chapel Hart takes Oxford to church

With the Double Decker Arts Festival right around the corner, both Oxford visitors and locals are in for an exciting showcase of artists taking the North Lamar stage. Among the impressive list of performers is country trio Chapel Hart. Members of the group include sisters Danica and Devynn Hart, as well as their cousin Trea Swindle.

Originating from Poplarville, Miss., Chapel Hart went from small town Mississippi to national television when they competed on season 17 of “America’s Got Talent.” The group received the glorified golden buzzer in their audition and went on to place within the top five. They are currently preparing to release their third album, “Glory Days,” on May 19.

“I always tell people when the artist gets excited to tell you about the project that they have going on, it is usually the project that they have put their heart and soul into,” Danica Hart said. “The ‘Glory Days’ is a snapshot into the last year of our lives – the moments that God has put here and the journey of this last year is what the ‘Glory Days’ album is.”

The “Glory Days” are being expressed on the road, as well. The band is midway through its Glory Days Tour, and Oxford’s Double Decker Arts Festival is the next stop.

However, for one member of the band, Oxford is a familiar place. Swindle attended the University of Mississippi beginning in the summer of 2008.

Recently, Chapel Hart was in

was an opportunity that the trio expressed excitement for. Likewise, the group is thrilled to be performing at the Double Decker Arts Festival this weekend.

“Whenever the opportunity arose to do the Double Decker Festival, we were all excited, because anytime we get to come and perform in Mississippi, we know that it’s gonna be a great show,” Swindle said.

Chapel Hart revealed that they met fellow Double Decker Arts Festival performer Ashley McBryde at the 2023 Country Music Television Awards. The women of Chapel Hart recalled the story almost verbatim in a moment of adoration for their fellow country music star. Two years previous, Chapel Hart was an official member of the 2021 Class of CMT’s Next Women of Country.

Despite the hard touring, the ladies of Chapel Hart spoke in harmony while discussing how thankful they are for having each other over the course of their travels. They decided that despite the sadness of missing home, they find comfort in bringing a little piece of it with them through one another.

“For me to have these two knuckleheads with me, I don’t know that I could handle this on my own,” Devynn Hart said. “It’s easy to get homesick and miss things that are going on back home, but I have a piece of family with me. They get on my nerves most of the time, but I, at least, have my family with me.”

Chapel Hart will take the main stage on North Lamar at the Double Decker Arts Festival Friday,

Chapel Hart: Trea Swindle, Devynn Hart and Danica Hart.

PHOTO COURTESY: BAILEY LAMAR

KHARLEY REDMON thedmfeatures@gmail.com

Double Decker is known for bringing together not only music lovers from all over the region, but also artists of different performance styles and genres. This year, Double Decker is offering attendees a dose of indie pop with artist Lissie.

Ahead of her performance, The Daily Mississippian interviewed Lissie not only about her music, but also about the person behind the ethereal tunes that uniquely combine pop, rock and indie.

Music has always been a part of Lissie’s life. She performed in musical theatre as a child, but started playing the guitar and songwriting in high school. Eventually, that mode of expression turned into a career. She has released five studio albums, garnered critical acclaim with her album “My Wild West” and has hit No. 1 on the charts in Norway.

“I started playing the guitar in high school and used songwriting and music as a way to make sense of my emotions as I grew,” Lissie said. “I dropped out of college and moved to L.A., and I got fortunate that I had a couple of record deals. I’ve been making albums for 15 years now, and it’s been

Lissie’s ready to make things pop

my calling throughout my life.”

In addition to being a musician, Lissie owns a popcorn company called Otts’ Pops Indie Pop based in her now-home of Iowa. Each flavor of popcorn is named after a different type of pop music. While there is no direct comparison, Lissie lists Sheryl Crow, Fiona Apple and Sarah McLauchlin as her inspirations.

“There was this beautiful time in the late ’90s and early 2000s, when there were so many awesome women singer-songwriters who played instruments and who presented themselves in a very light, authentic way,” Lissie said. “I went to Lilith Fair in high school, and I just remembered getting the butterflies and thinking, ‘This is so powerful. I want to be a part of this.’”

Lissie also recommended that fans listen to her breakout song “When I’m Alone” and “Everywhere I Go” off her breakout album, “Catching a Tiger,” and “Night Moves” off her most recent album, “Carving Canyons,” to get a sense of her music and musical evolution. She noted that much of her music touches on themes of grief, healing and hope.

As an indie artist, she was signed to Fat Possum Records here in Oxford for a period of time. Lissie talked about the im-

portance and opportunity a festival provides to expand a fan base.

“When I’m on tour, for the most part, the people that are coming to the shows are there because they know who I am, and they like my music,” Lissie said. “At a festival, there is a bit of an edge. You have to win people over. For people who don’t really know anything about you, if they stumble upon you and they are into it, it’s just another opportunity to connect.”

Lissie said that what wins people over about her performances is the now-rare aspect of all live music.

“I mean, we’re pretty much a rock band,” Lissie said. “We don’t have any beats or computers. It’s drums, guitars, bass, keyboards and live vocals. The audience’s energy, we feed off of that. I think part of that is just getting the beat going, and maybe a song’s extra rockin’ or there’s a big nice guitar solo.”

Lissie said she is excited to come to the Southeast, as she hasn’t played much in the region.

“It’s going to be great to get just an entirely different part of the country,” Lissie said. “I’m in Minnesota right now. I play in Minnesota all the time, but no one really knows me in Mississippi, so I’m ready to say ‘what up.’”

Lissie is set to take the Double Decker stage at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 29.

Blackberry Smoke brings blues to arts festival

calist Richard Turner, drummer Brit Turner, guitarist and vocalist Paul Jackson and keyboardist Brandon Still.

Southern hard rock band Blackberry Smoke is one of several headliners for this year’s Double Decker Arts Festival. The Atlanta-originated band is making a stop in Oxford as part of its 2023 tour. Lead singer and guitarist Charlie Starr discussed the band’s background as well as its exciting future.

The band was formed in 2000 and released its first album, “Bad Luck Ain’t No Crime,” in 2003. The lineup includes bassist and lead vocalist Starr, bassist and vo -

The members started out in different bands from the Atlanta area and “sort of fell together in late night bars over a period of time in the late ’90s,” according to Starr.

Performing with the same group of people for decades would probably lose its excitement after a while, but not for Blackberry Smoke. Starr talked about how close the members are and their love of performing together.

“It definitely feels like it’s been 21 years. We love each other and genuinely enjoy play -

Corbin Cadigan

Mechanical Engineering

Erica Cordeiro

Finance

Edwin Griffis

International Studies

Sujung Hahm

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Latoria Hicks

Film Production

Anthonesia Hoskins

Multi-Disciplinary Studies

ing this music together. That keeps it exciting,” Starr said.

Fellow Georgia musician and close friend of the band Chris Robinson gave the group its name by sitting around and spitting out random words. Once everyone heard the unique combination of Blackberry and Smoke, they knew it would be their title.

“I think it’s just two words that work together well,” Starr said.

Like the sultry smoothness of its name, Blackberry Smoke’s discography is just as alluring. The band’s style leans heavily toward rock, yet it is laced with Southern Americana genres like blues

Zion Lee Computer Science

Marlene Lockridge Management

Erin McNary General Business

Olivia Reeves

and country. When it comes to the group’s musical influences, “anything good” seems to be the answer that feels the most faithful between Starr and his bandmates. Regarding composition and songwriting, Starr usually takes the lead. With the group’s most recent album, “You Hear Georgia,” many songs were collaborative efforts among Grammy award-winning producer Dave Cobbs, former The Four Horsemen member Dave Lizmi, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Rickey Medlocke and many more.

Starr revealed that the band’s new album is finished and will be shared with fans soon.

Integrated Marketing Communications

Kenneth Retumban

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Camryn Rios Public Policy Leadership

The band members are not strangers to Oxford. They have come through the town several times when touring Mississippi. However, this is their first time headlining the Double Decker Arts Festival, and they could not be more excited.

“We look forward to playing our music for all the beautiful people at Double Decker,” Starr said. Blackberry Smoke is performing at the Double Decker Arts Festival on Saturday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Stage on North Lamar. For more information about the band and the festival, visit www. doubledeckerfestival.com.

Joseph Sharp

Exercise Science

Elizabeth Smith

Law Studies

Nadia Sumlar Psychology

Madison Taylor

Computer Science

MaryJo Wilson

Integrated Marketing Communications

Jacob Williams General Business

American singer-songwriter Lissie performing at the Ilosaarirock festival in Joensuu, Finland.

PHOTO COURTESY: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Sensational Barnes Brothers: Musical duo’s spirit uplifts Double Decker lineup

REESE ANDERSON thedmfeatures@gmail.com

At this year’s Double Decker Arts Festival, The Sensational Barnes Brothers are set to ignite the North Lamar stage on Saturday at 2 p.m. Brothers Chris and Courtney Barnes comprise the duo. Their style channels the spirit of gospel and soul music, and a bright, modern edge keeps their classic sound fresh. Their vibrancy shines through on their debut album, “Nobody’s Fault But My Own.” Even though it was released in 2019, brothers Courtney and Chris Barnes are lifelong music makers.

The Memphis natives spoke to The Daily Mississippian about how family, place and community have shaped their lives and music.

“It all began with our parents,” Chris Barnes said.

Their mother was a Raelette – a backup singer of soul icon Ray Charles – and their father was a singer and songwriter.

“When we came along, (our parent’s artistry) didn’t die down. They always sang, and they were always involved in creative things,” Courtney Barnes said.

Thebrothersalsocitethechurch as a major musical influence.

“Going to church and being a part of different choirs is really what got us playing and writing,” Courtney Barnes said.

Their faith plays heavily in their songwriting, too.

“We try not to box ourselves in as far as genre, but we’re very church-oriented, so that’s what comes out,” Chris Barnes said.

The brothers merge optimistic gospel sentiments with the feel of old-school soul on tracks like “I Won’t Have to Cry No More” and “Beautiful Mansion.”

However, the pair are dabbling in new genres on two upcoming projects.

“We’re currently trying to knock out two records,” Courtney Barnes said. “We want something that has more of a contemporary, modern feel.”

“We’re doing a bit of neosoul, too,” Chris Barnes added. “We’re playing around

with more urban sounds.”

They plan to release singles in 2023, followed by the full albums in 2024.

Both brothers are vocalists and multi-instrumentalists. In the context of The Sensational Barnes Brothers, though, Chris is the primary percussionist, and Courtney writes their melodies.

The brothers each share their love of music with their children.

“[Our kids] are very musical. They all sing,” Chris Barnes said.

In fact, Courtney said that his eldest son will be featured on one of the brothers’ forthcoming albums.

“Keep an ear out for my oldest son on the album,” Courtney Barnes shared. “He’s taking on one of the songs. He’s very talented.”

This is not the first time the brothers have collaborated with their family members. Before they became The Sensational Barnes Brothers, the brothers recorded an album, “Family Tree,” with the other Barneses in 2015.

Throughout their career, they have also collaborated with several Grammy-nominated musicians, including fellow Memphian Don Bryant and rock band Making Movies. Although, their favorite collaboration was with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.

“Working with Dan was pretty awesome,” Chris Barnes said. “We did background vocals on an entire

album of his at a Nashville studio. It was one of the best collaboration experiences that we’ve had.”

As for performing, the brothers play most of their gigs in Memphis. However, their 2023 tour will take them across the United States. They are slated to play at Rocky Mountain Folk Festival in Lyons, Calif., and Sis-

ters Folk Festival in Sisters, Ohio, among several other locations.

The brothers will kick off their festival circuit at Double Decker Arts Festival, and the performance will be their first in Oxford.

“(Double Decker) is gearing us up for a busy season of touring,” Courtney Barnes said. “After that, we’ll go home to Memphis to play

the Beale Street Music Festival.”

Chris and Courtney reflected on their musical journey and are gracious for the positive results that have come their way.

“We’ve toured before, but it’s a blessing how heavy (our success) has come, and so quickly,” Courtney Barnes said. “It really is a blessing.”

Courtney Barnes and Chris Barnes

PHOTO COURTESY: KEVIN EVANS

Sports Rebels fall short 2-1 to Mississippi State

GRIFFIN RAY

The Rebels dropped their fourth consecutive game in disappointing fashion to the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Tuesday night.

Leaving runners on base was an issue for both teams, but it came back to bite the Rebels more in their narrow 2-1 loss to the Bulldogs. Ole Miss left eight runners on base and earned only four hits, while the Bulldogs left seven, getting five hits. The Rebels’ offensive issues have continued to persist, with their only strength being the long ball.

The Rebels’ pitching was better in the Tuesday night loss than in previous games, but it was still not enough to get the job done.

Starting pitcher Grayson Saunier earned his third loss of the season going 3.2 innings. He gave up three of the Bulldogs’ five hits and an earned run. He struck out only four and gave up two walks and a hit by pitch.

Right-handed pitcher Brayden Jones was brought in to relieve Saunier. He did not allow a sin-

SIGNEE

continued from page 1

wear it, and Boldin obliged.

Holmes will go down as one of the best football players to come out of Pahokee, as he only trailed one other player for the nation’s high school sack title. He finished his senior year with 32.5 total sacks and led his team to a deep playoff run.

Holmes is a part of the top 20-ranked Ole Miss 2023 recruiting class that features one five-star, six four star and eight three-star signees.

The six-foot-three 230-pound Holmesr ranks in the top 70 among all

gle runner to get on base, but he was replaced in the sixth inning after pitching only 1.1 innings.

Sam Tookoian, a right-handed relief pitcher, came in for Jones. He allowed a hit and gave up a run, but he was not credited with giving up the earned run.

Mason Nichols was then brought into the game in the eighth inning and was excellent, however, the offense could not get anything going.

Outfielder Kemp Alderman has remained hot, going 2-for-3 with a walk but no RBIs. He was the main Rebel able to get on base during Tuesday’s rivalry game, but the bats were unable to bring him in.

Senior infielder Garrett Wood was the only Rebel able to drive in a run, which he did with an RBI groundout in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ole Miss had two runners on in the eighth inning with only one out. However, they were unable to score, allowing Mississippi State to maintain their lead and eventually get the win.

Ole Miss hopes to bounce back this weekend facing the Georgia Bulldogs in Oxford. Following Georgia’s sweep of No. 5 Arkansas, it would be huge for the Rebels to

get a series win at home against the improving Bulldogs. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. CDT on Friday, April 28, on SEC Network+.

edge-rushing recruits according to 247Sports.

He is set to be a key piece for newly hired Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding, but a bump in the road like this is worrisome, especially since Holmes has not arrived on campus.

Holmes is an incredibly talented player, and Ole Miss’ coaching staff highly favored him during the recruiting process, so there is optimism that this is a one-time occurrence.

In an offseason that has already been full of noise for the Ole Miss football program with transfer portal additions and coaching changes, this news coming out of Palm Beach adds to the Rebels’ turmoil.

Grayson Saunier pitches against Florida during the second game of a double header on Saturday, March 25.

PHOTO COURTESY: JOSHUA MCCOY / OLE MISS ATHLETICS

Ole Miss football recruit, DeeJay Holmes Jr., was arrested on April 24.

PHOTO COURTESY: PALM BEACH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Evaluating NFL prospects: Jonathan Mingo

Ole Miss wide receiver Jonathan Mingo evades a tackle by a Louisville defender on Sept. 6, 2021.

OWEN PUSTELL thedmsports@gmail.com

Editor’s note: Sports writer Owen Pustell breaks down NFL Draft prospect Jonathan Mingo and shares what he thinks of Mingo’s value as he prepares to embark on his professional football career.

Height / Weight / Position: 6’2 / 220 lbs / WR

2022 Stats: 51 Receptions, 861 Yards, five Touchdowns

Pros

Great size at 6-foot2, 220 pounds. He has a pro-ready body that will help him compete with physical DBs.

Showed prowess as a blocker, not only against cornerbacks but also sliding into the box or in a three-point stance.

Hand placement and drive is very good while blocking, though he could add a little more “pop” at the point of attack.

Has solid YAC ability. His frame makes him a tough tackle for DBs, and he has shown the ability to make defenders miss.

Shows capability to make “wow” catches in both one-handed and contested situations.

Has the ability to play both as a slot receiver and on the boundary. He can step in to play multiple spots.

Shows physicality at the catch point. He was able to hold on to passes through contact or while being pestered by defensive backs.

Runs hitch routes particularly well. Mingo has an adequate route tree to play as a second boundary WR.

Cons

Would like to see more urgency on broken plays. He tends to stand in place as opposed to looking for space.

More physicality at the top of routes would heighten his ability to threaten the middle of the field. He tends to get pushed around at the midpoint of routes.

Runs solid routes, but scouts would like to see momentum carried better through transitions. Sometimes he can be late getting to a spot.

Lacks the general explosiveness to run elite routes. Oftentimes, DBs are able to stick with Mingo, which forces him into physical situations.

Summary

I would not count on Mingo to win with speed or quickness, but he does have moments in which he forces a breakdown in coverage or reels in a highlight-level catch. He is a weapon after the catch, can win 50/50 balls and improves the numbers game in the box. Mingo can also split outside to play on

the boundary, as he excels when squaring up with DBs and has strong hands that allow him to make difficult catches through traffic. Generating separation is a concern at the next level, but that is slightly mitigated by his ability to win 50/50 balls.

Mingo is a utility player who likely will not be your chain mover on third downs, but he adds an interesting element to the receiving room that can give offensive coordinators some creative playmaking opportunities.

Expectations/Grade Mingo will be best utilized as a WR3 in a run-first offense that will maximize his intimidating frame as a blocker and as a weapon after the catch. NFL secondaries are getting smaller by the season, so adding a muscled-up giant to the WR core is a good way to leverage the trend.

San Francisco is likely his best home, as they need perimeter blocking from their WRs and like using the quick game to get playmakers the ball. Mingo is far from a Deebo Samuel-level ball carrier, but he would be a valuable slot receiver with his ability to get dirty in the box. San Francisco holds three picks at the end of the third round, so I would expect that to be the range he goes off the board.

CLASSIFIEDS INFORMATION

The

Classified

The DM reserves the right to refuse ads that appear to offer unrealistic or questionable products or services.

To place your ad in The Daily Mississippian Classifieds section, visit: http://www.thedmonline.com/classifieds.

NOW HIRING DRIVERS

1- Chaplin persona;

6- Wife of Osiris; 10- Crimson Tide, for short;

14- Electrician, at times;

15- Clothes;

16- Pulitzer-winning biographer Leon;

17- Two-time loser to Dwight; 18- Electric fish; 19- Verdi heroine;

Cinque follower; 21- Overjoy; 23- Body of salt water;

24- Like Fran Drescher’s voice;

26- Grave robber; 27- Hogpen;

29- Herbert Hoover, for one;

31- Savvy about;

32- Tree of the birch family; 33- Paris possessive; 36- Make a trade?; 40- Velvet finish?; 41- Campaign tactic; 42- Barbarous person; 43- Place; 44- Accident; 46- Home on the range; 48- Director Lubitsch;

Little bits;

Hilton competitor;

52- Falsehood; 55- Macho man; 56- Coal-rich region; 57- Echo, for one; 59- Helper; 60- Female child; 61- Short-tempered; 62- Driving aids; 63- Very, in Versailles; 64- Watering holes;

DOWN

1- “____ the night before Christmas ...”;

2- Travel on;

3- National U.S. cemetery;

4- ___ culpa;

5- Minister;

6- Utopian;

7- Hard fatty tissue;

8- Out of work;

9- Draft org.;

10- Lighthouse;

11- Old French expression meaning “goodbye”;

12- Decoration;

13- King of comedy;

22- Put Down;

23- Butler’s love;

25- Starting;

26- Singer Stefani;

27- Bishop of Rome;

28- As to;

29- Greek epic poem;

x 4

30- Scent; 32- On the ocean; 33- Blind;

34- Book before Nehemiah;

35- Leak slowly;

37- Adlai’s running mate;

38- “Peter Pan” pirate; 39- A pitcher may take one; 43- Dark suit;

Piece of music written for a solo instrument;

Viscounts’ superiors;

The wolf ___ the door;

“Aquarius” musical;

Dextrous, lively;

Must’ve been something ___;

Ice cream brand;

Pepper, e.g.;

OPINION

I lived in Europe for a semester.

Here’s what I learned.

LIV BRILEY thedmopinion@gmail.com

After spending the past few months living in Italy and traveling around Europe, I can confidently say that there are some key lessons that we Americans can take from their way of life. People in Europe seem healthier and happier than most Americans, and watching the way they live, eat and speak to one another, this makes sense.

Life in Italy is slower than just about anywhere I have ever been. Mississippi isn’t exactly known for its hustle and bustle, but the American values of hard work and achievement permeate even the smallest towns.

It isn’t that Italians and other European citizens do not want to find success, it is just that their definition of success is quite different from ours. Italian culture is not built around climb-

Opinion Policies:

ing the corporate ladder and success is not measured by how much money a person makes. In Italy, it is about working to live rather than living to work — a mindset that all too many Americans hold above all else.

This difference is clear just walking around the city. Life starts later in Europe; you rarely see anyone in the streets until after 9 a.m., even in the big cities. There is no point in getting up early to start your day because nothing is open. Businesses also often close in the afternoon so workers can go home for lunch with their families.

Many Americans would see this lifestyle as lazy, but in reality, it is far from it. Italians are constantly walking, which is likely why their obesity rates are much lower than other nations, about 1 in 10 compared to 2 in 5 in America. Sure, Europeans have cars and Vespas to drive around, but it is much more common to walk.

A 20-minute walk may seem like a lot in America, but in Italy, it is part of your everyday routine.

I spend most days back in the U.S. trying to find time in my schedule to walk, sometimes even pacing around my kitchen to reach my 10,000 steps for the day. It has been incredibly refreshing these past few months to have a seemingly less active day, only to see I fit in 15,000 steps or more without even trying. I haven’t ridden in a car in months, and even as someone who loves to drive, I can’t say that I miss it. Between the fresh air and the Renaissance architecture around every corner, it’s hard to imagine going back to any other way of getting around.

Food in Europe is also less processed than in America, with many prominent American food additives being banned in the EU. Many European countries follow a Mediterranean diet, consisting of more

fresh produce, whole grains and less fattening ingredients.

When people think of Italian food, they tend to think of pizza and pasta.While those are in plentiful supply, they are not the common dishes in Italian homes. With daily farmer’s markets selling all sorts of fresh meat and produce, it is easy and inexpensive to find whole foods and healthy options to cook with. Imagine how much better grocery shopping would feel if you could get everything you needed, anytime you needed it, at the Oxford Community Market.

My favorite part of Italian food culture is not the food itself, but the practices around eating it. Meals are slow in Europe, and the restaurant is never in a rush to clear your table. The waiter does not bring your check until you ask for it, and they often offer a free glass of limoncello or vinsanto, common after-dinner digestive drinks, after you pay to

help you better digest your food.

Whether you are sitting at a cafe in the morning, having aperitivo with friends in the afternoon or at a five-star restaurant, the service is slow and relaxing, giving you time to enjoy your meal and time with whoever you dine with.

The United States is full of wonderful ideas and immense opportunities, but we as a nation have begun to lose what life is all about in the midst of competition and social climbing. If you want to feel happier and healthier, take a note from Europe and just slow down. Go for a walk, take a trip to your local farmer’s market or enjoy a coffee with a friend. Life is far too short to waste it on achieving a status that won’t mean anything when you’re gone.

Liv Briley is a junior integrated marketing communications major from Lemont, Ill.

Columns do not represent the views of The University of Mississippi or The Daily Mississippian. The Daily Mississippian welcomes letters to the editor, which should be emailed to thedmopinion@gmail.com. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. They may be edited for clarity, brevity and libel. Third-party letters and those with pseudonyms or no name will not be published. Letters are limited to one per individual per month. Letters should include contact information, including relationship to the university, if applicable.

2023 MUSIC LINEUP

FRIDAY, APRIL 28

THE STEWS CHAPEL HART

ASHLEY MCBRYDE

celebrating food, music & the arts on oxford’s historic downtown square!

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

THE MISSISSIPPIANS JAZZ ENSEMBLE VIEUX FARKA TOURE

SENSATIONAL BARNES BROTHERS

SOUTHERN AVENUE

LISSIE

BLACKBERRY SMOKE

MARCUS KING

stage 11am - 11pm

shuttles 9:30am - 12am

shuttles $5 roundtrip

Festival Free