A trial to sing about?
The 1925 Scopes Trial was just that, inspiring more than a dozen popular songs, several of which would have topped the “Hot 100” charts if there had been such a thing in the day.
From the frivolous “There Ain’t No Bugs on Me” to the somber “William Jennings Bryan’s Last Fight,” musicians had their take on the captivating trial in Dayton, Tennessee, selling thousands of recordings and copies of sheet music to a fascinated public.
Join us for a light-hearted look at some of the Trial music on Saturday, July 25, at 11 a.m. in the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton as Dr. Mel Wilhoit discusses songs written about the Trial. Dr. Wilhoit is a retired professor of music at Bryan College in Dayton and has interesting insights into music of the trial and how fits into the overall history of “The World’s Most Famous Court Trial.”
This program is free, along with activities on the courthouse lawn before the 2 p.m. presentation of the Scopes Trial dramatization “Destiny in Dayton.” Tickets for the play and Dinner with the Cast are available HERE.
The Scopes Trial Play & Festivities is supported in part by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.
