FOR RELEASE: October 30, 2012
For further information contact:
Susan Andrews 615-242-4400
susanandrews@andrewsagencypr.com
Thomas Y. Cartwright to portray Civil War soldier Sam Watkins
Accompanied by musical artist Michael Holloway at The Franklin Theatre November 28
A portion of the proceeds benefit The Heritage Foundation
(Franklin, Tenn.)—October 30, 2012—The Heritage Foundation Executive Director Mary Pearce
announced today Civil War historian Thomas Y. Cartwright will portray Confederate Civil Ear
soldier Sam Watkins at The Franklin Theatre Wednesday, November 28 with a portion of the
proceeds benefiting The Heritage Foundation. Tickets go on sale October 31.
In making the announcement, Pearce said, “We’re ecstatic to have Thomas Cartwright take the
stage at The Franklin Theatre to share with us his depiction of one of the most memorable
soldiers of the Civil War and who wrote Co. Aytch, a riveting recount of his life during the war.
This date was chosen because its two days prior to the 148th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin
held November 30, 1864, which is significant to our rich history.
As a young boy, Cartwright read Co. Aytch and was so enthralled with it, he committed the book
to memory. During the past 20 years, Cartwright has performed and portrayed Sam Watkins in
numerous one man performances throughout the country. Now, for the first time, he’ll
premiere his performance on stage with Holloway’s captivating music.
Cartwright, in conjunction with the Lotz House Civil War museum, has teamed with long-time
music performer and entertainer Michael Holloway to take what Watkins began to write after
the war, and what Cartwright memorized as a child, into the 21 century. Holloway wrote and
will perform all original music to enhance the experience of the two hour portrayal. Halloway
calls his music on the new CD “American music, by an American artist for an American story.”
Pearce added, “Thomas’ incredible ability to quote Sam Watkins off the top of his head is
amazing and transcending. We’re excited to have this moving performance to share because it
will leave everyone who hears it with the feeling they’ve heard Watkins’ story told first hand.
Michael’s original music puts a huge exclamation point on the performance as it leads our
imagination back to the 1860s.”
Robert Hicks, author of New York Times bestseller The Widow of the South said, "Thomas
Cartwright has partnered up with Michael Holloway to give us Sam Watkins’ Co. Aytch and what
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a gift it will be. For those of us who have loved ol' Sam and his Co. Aytch, this is long overdue.
For those who have never read Co. Aytch, it is the best introduction I can think of."
Hicks added, "In Sam's own words, Cartwright movingly retells the story of Sam's adventures in
the service of the South. It is hard to imagine anyone that Sam would have rather had retell his
story. Added to all of this is the wonderful music that Michael Holloway wrote and performed in
accompaniment to Sam's words. Cartwright and Holloway have hit this one out of the park.
This performance is a must for anyone who loves the rich history of the American Civil War."
Sam Watkins, originally from Maury County, served throughout the entire four year war despite
being wounded several times. Of the 120 men who enlisted in “Company H” in 1861, Watkins
was one of the few still in the ranks when the Confederate Army of Tennessee surrendered in
April, 1865. After the war ended, Watkins began writing his memoir entitled Co. Aytch.
Watkins’ work today is recognized around the world and often used for teaching purposes. Co.
Aytch is called by many historians one of the best Civil War memoirs written by a common
soldier in the field. Clearly, Watkins engaging writing style captures the pride of the Civil War
soldier.
Thomas Y. Cartwright is known as one of the leading authorities on the Civil War and the Battle
of Franklin. He frequently appears on various documentaries for the History Channel, A&E,
Travel Channel, CNN, Discovery, and Preservation Channel. For many years, he has lectured
throughout most of the United States for Civil War Round Tables, corporations, preservation
groups and heritage organizations. In addition, Cartwright authored several published articles
and essays. He is currently authoring two books and he conducts battlefield walking tours of the
Battle of Franklin from the Lotz House.
Holloway has a long and storied musical career. Growing up in Mississippi and the Mississippi
Delta, his exposure to music came early, accompanying his father to blues jams with other
workers in the pulp wood business.
Playing left-handed, Holloway learned the guitar on his own, playing his father's instrument
upside down. In fact, the legendary Gibson Guitar even created a left-handed Dobro especially
for Holloway to play. He has released two albums including Blues Travel Fast and Riding This
Train which includes a cut called Feast or Famine with duet partner Gretchen Wilson. He’s
toured the country as well as Europe and opened for such acts as BB King, Buddy Guy, Johnny
Winter and Little Feat.
The doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the performance begins at 7:00 p.m. with a brief intermission.
Tickets are $35 and $50 and go on sale October 31 and are available at
www.FranklinTheatre.com or at The Franklin Theatre box office (615) 538-2076. After expenses,
half of the proceeds benefit The Heritage Foundation earmarked for the Carter Cotton Park.
The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
organization dedicated to protecting and preserving our historic resources in Franklin and
Williamson County, Tennessee. Among our programs are the award-winning Main Street
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Program, the Downtown Franklin Association, which promotes and revitalizes the 150 unique
places to explore in the 15-block downtown National Register District.
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