Legendary songwriter returns to Athens supporting High Cotton Arts Center

ATHENS, AL (WAFF) - Legendary songwriter Roger Murrah returned to his native Athens Tuesday to support the new High Cotton Arts Center.

Murrah is a highly-decorated musician. Broadcast Music Incorporated voted him as Nashville's songwriter of the 80's, and is in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and recipient of the Bronze Star at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

Murrah, with help from his brother and sister, performed the song "High Cotton" at the facility. Murrah co-wrote the song, which was recorded by country music group Alabama and is one of 10 number-one hits written by Murrah.

He performed the song playing on an 86-year-old piano he learned to play on when his family got it as he grew up in Athens.

"My dad traded a pickup truck for it, and me and my siblings would kind of play around on it," Murrah said.

Murrah is loaning the piano to High Cotton Arts and will play a benefit concert to help new arts incubate in his hometown, which is devoted to artists and art education.

"I'm thinking about the young people coming along and the support they may receive, and also for the older people who get into the arts later in life. This is going to be something to inspire all of them. They can come here and be supported. It's really an amazing thing," Murrah said.

The High Cotton Arts Center is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. It is located at 103 West Washington Street. There is no admission cost, and donations are welcome.

Murrah's concert to benefit High Cotton Arts will happen at the Limestone County Events Center on Oct. 1. Tickets are $40. They are on sale now.

To find out more about the facility and about tickets for the benefit concert, go to
www.athensartsleague.com, or call (256)-232-7717.

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