I often face a challenge when thinking of articles to write each week. This week was no different until I stumbled across an interesting article on Today in Mississippi’s Facebook page. Written by a Nancy Jo Maples, her article “The Dickersons” describes the Dickerson Family Band, a family band that calls Union its home. I immediately thought to myself: How did I not know about this? Do others know about this local band? What is this family’s story? I knew right then that this band must be the subject for today’s article.
When writing this article for “Today in Mississippi”, Nancy Jo Maples describes her personal experience with the Dickerson Family Band. She witnessed a performance by the local band when they performed as part of the Country Day Festivities. She says that “The Dickerson Family Band has been a mainstay of the annual craft festival since the event began 37 years ago.” Although I have lived in Union all my life, I never knew this information. Furthermore, Doris Dickerson founded the Dickerson Family Band many years ago. He learned to play fiddle at a young age, which formed the basis for his musical career. Over the course of many decades, Doris’ siblings and children also joined the band. For the Dickersons, music became a family tradition.
Over the years, The Dickerson Family Band has performed “anywhere from house porches to professional stages,” and they have always enjoyed the feeling of playing music with their family. In 2020, the band consists of three generations of musicians. In fact, several members of the family have made music their career. Of Doris’ six children, five have gone into the music industry. Ed and Wayne Dickerson assists in the music of the churches they pastor, Dennis Dickerson works for Warner Brothers in Nashville, Dr. Randy Dickerson instructs music at the University of Wisconsin, and Glen Dickerson backs Jean Shepard in the Grand Ole Opry. Although Doris’ daughter Sue does not work directly in the music industry, her and her husband do play music as well. Even the third generation of Dickersons carry on this musical tradition. Doris’ grandson Josh Dickerson runs a solo career and is quite popular in this area.
The Dickerson Family Band calls Union its home and was, for me at least, a bit of information that I never knew. This family has played music for generations and will likely continue to do so in the years to come. The Dickerson Family Band represents the power of music to unite people; music unites family, friends and whole communities. Nancy Jo Maples personal account of her experience with the Dickerson Family Band serves as a wonderful anecdote to prove that fact, and anyone can read her article in “Today in Mississippi” to learn her story with the band. I hope to one day see this family perform live so that I can share her experience.
