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“Sleepy” John Estes Home - Brownsville, TN

Happy 123rd Birthday to blues pioneer “Sleepy” John Adam Estes, born January 25, 1899, near Ripley, Tennessee! We are honored and proud to kick off the Adopt A Music Landmark program with his last home in Brownsville, Tennessee, in partnership with our friends at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center! Join us now through February 28th for this unique opportunity to celebrate and support the architectural legacy of Sleepy John’s autobiographical, “crying” country blues mastery. 

Adopt a Music Landmark inaugural campaign
January 25 - February 28, 2022

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Our Adopters - THANK YOU! 

LeRena Major (Rock History Gal) - Los Angeles, CA
Jack Dreznes (Beverly Records & Costumes Inc.) - Chicago, IL 
John McCusker (Reconstructing History LLC / 1811 Kid Ory Historic House) - LaPlace, LA
Sonia Outlaw-Clark (West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center / Visit Brownsville TN) - Brownsville, TN
Carolyn Travis (Travisty Productions) - Golden Beach, FL

News + Updates 

Adoption Kit for the "Sleepy" John Estes Home 

Now through February 28, 2022, symbolically adopt the last home of blues  pioneer "Sleepy" John Adam Estes in honor of his 123rd birthday! 

What's included?

$75

  • Official certificate of adoption personalized with the adopter or gift recipient's name and special message (optional). 

  • Exclusive virtual tour of the last home of “Sleepy” John Adam Estes or a private on-site tour of the residence and West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center campus in Brownsville, Tennessee.

  • Custom remote or hands-on volunteer opportunity to further support the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center’s ongoing maintenance, preservation and interpretation of the "Sleepy" John Estes Home.

  • High-resolution watercolor of the “Sleepy” John Estes Home created for the American Music Landmarks Project's Adopt a Music Landmark program 

  • Acknowledgment on the American Music Landmarks Project social media platform, newsletter and website. 

*Adoption kits will be delivered via email and all experiences planned in coordination with the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, official stewards of the “Sleepy” John Estes Home.

The Impact of Your Adoption At Work!

*UPDATE*
All project goals listed below have been met!

Signage

Replacement of the peeling sign at the "Sleepy" John Estes Home entrance.

Maintenance

Replacement of rotting wood siding and a new coat of paint for the "Sleepy" John Estes Home

Interpretation

Replacement of a  bedspread in the "Sleepy" John Estes Home

Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, talks to us from the last home of blues pioneer "Sleepy" John Adam Estes:

Catch a glimpse inside the "Sleepy" John Estes house museum with this brief video tour provided by our friends at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center:

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