Major Works
- Rock History Rocks on in Mississippi Part II
- Classic Magnolia Rock—History of Original Mississippi Rock and Roll 1953-1970 (2008)
Biography of Johnny Sumrall, Jr.
Johnny Sumrall, Jr., grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, during the middle of the Rock and Roll Era of the 1950’s. His parents are John and Reba Sumrall, and he has a younger brother named Tommy. Sumrall is a graduate of Central High School (now Provine) and Belhaven College. He and his wife Sherry Lea live in Byram, Mississippi, and are the parents of three sons and five grandchildren
Sumrall produced and hosted a live radio program Original Mississippi Rock and Roll Music during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s which featured many of the artists in interviews and performing their music. He has written articles for several magazines and contributed to the book All Shook Up – Mississippi Roots of American Popular Music by Christina Wilson.
Sumrall loves music of all types, but he is focuses primarily on Rock and Roll. His two books are a compilation of his memories as a teenager during the era as well as information from interviews with the artists. Many of the artists are good friends with whom Sumrall stays in contact. His book, Classic Magnolia Rock—History of Original Mississippi Rock and Roll 1952-1970, is an authentic account of those times. While researching his book, Sumrall secured personal interviews with almost all the local artists who were making their mark on the music world at that time and place. The stories are told from their perspective.