The Story

Stories of African-American jazz & blues greats and musical acts are part of Sherman history. From the 1960s and 1970s, residents recall the likes of Ike & Tina Turner, Al Green, and B.B. King performing in Sherman. Many of these musicians were participating in the “Chitlin Circuit,” a network of performance venues—mostly in the South—that were safe space for Black performers. According to a Facebook post from the Smithsonian Museum of African American History & Culture, “The Chitlin’ Circuit was a network of performance venues, mostly located in the American South, that welcomed African American performers during the Jim Crow era. Black-owned nightclubs, dance halls, juke joints, and theaters facilitated a touring circuit that provided employment for hundreds of black musicians, including artists such as B.B. King, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Ray Charles who went on to become industry giants and household names. Other artists who traveled the circuit did not achieve such widespread fame, but they built a name for themselves and were gainfully employed as performers on the circuit for years.”

 

Research on the Chitlin’ Circuit in Texas reveals that San Antonio, Austin, Waco, and Dallas-Fort Worth were among the cities hosting these performers. Sherman was just an hour away from Dallas, also seeing some of these musicians as they traveled.

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About the Artist and Art

Stormy Chavez was born in Abilene, Texas in 2002. Their passion for art began at the age of four and has continued to blossom throughout the years. Now as a college student at West Texas A&M University, Chavez pursues a career in art — both digital and traditional — while furthering their studies. Chavez will graduate in May, 2025, with a Bachelor in Fine Arts.

 

This colorful collage of "Chitlin Circuit" Jazz performers is inspired by 60s/70s Jazz posters. This is a digital piece is to show off the colorful and
musical history of Sherman, Texas.

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