Homecoming music show draws crowd

Fans of all ages filled the Manila Community Center to welcome home entertainers Jerry Jaye and Kenny Seratt for their second annual Homecoming Music Show on Saturday night, Nov. 20. Also singing were Jaye's wife, Darlene Battles, and former Manila resident Sheila Dobbs.

Jerry Jaye comes home to Manila to perform.

The show was kicked off with the band, Rebound. Rebound performs regularly at the Manila Family Music Center.

Among the local musicians playing were Micky Joe Littlejohn, Jeff Knowlton, Tommy Morries, and Gordan Britt.

Kenny Seratt was welcomed back to Manila for the second annual Homecoming Show.

Manila Mayor Clifford Veach expressed his appreciation to both Jaye and Seratt for taking time to return to their hometown. Signs featuring the two recording artists were placed along Highway 18 welcoming everyone to Manila.

Jaye and Seratt both shared memories of growing up in Manila and both agreed it was nice to come home.

Jerry Jaye introduced some of the early Jayewalkers who were part of the group when they recorded "Hello Josephine," in the 1960s. Former Jayewalkers included Tommy Baker from Little Rock and Carlos Frye from Oklahoma, who attended the show.

Seratt and Jaye met with fans, signing CDs and other memorabilia.

There was a Sunday afternoon jam session with Seratt singing many favorites. Locals, Jamie Riley, who performed several Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis songs, Mickey Jo Littlejohn who sang and played the keyboard, Judy Hampton, Lowell Polston, and Steve May singing two songs he had written, performed for a great afternoon of music.