History, music and faith will all be part of a benefit Saturday to support the restoration of the Historic Rodgers Theatre.
“An Evening with the Hoggs, A Tribute to James R. Hogg,” will begin at 7 p.m. It is held in conjunction with members of the Hogg family and the Friends of the Poplar Bluff History Museum.
Performing will be James Linden Hogg, the great-great-grandson of James R. Hogg. The Hogg family established multiple well known-businesses in the Poplar Bluff area in the late 1800s, a tradition the family continued for more than a century.
James R. Hogg and his father, Marion Hogg, first opened a butcher business out of the back of a wagon in 1873, according to newspaper articles. They traveled to an area near Poplar Bluff from Indiana.
The Hogg business expanded in 1882 to a grocery store in Poplar Bluff, which would eventually become synonymous with the area. Since that time in 1882, over a dozen of the Hogg’s descendants have owned 10 different grocery stores within Poplar Bluff.
Once owners of not only meat markets in the area, the Hoggs also ran a large distillery.
The Jim Hogg corn whiskey jugs are a trademark of the family name and remain a valued collectible.
Jim Hogg, having had his hand in many enterprises, became the sheriff of Butler County in the early 1900s and also served as mayor. During his lifetime, his occupations included businessman, farmer, distiller and public servant.
Jim Hoggs’ well-known supermarket in Poplar Bluff closed in 1997 and the building was later demolished in 2019, but the family name continues to live on in the area.
James Linden Hogg is a singer and songwriter who also plays multiple instruments. He has played music at venues like the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Shaw Center for the Arts.
The Louisiana State University student has also been awarded several academic and musical awards, according to his website.
James Linden Hoggs’ talents are not limited to his writing and musical abilities. He has also produced a film titled “The Night of Prayers,” as well as a documentary about the Hogg family, which they hope to show during the tribute event.
Poplar Bluff resident and business owner Steve Whitworth said he is a lifelong friend of the Hogg family.
“He (Linden) is a remarkable talent. An old soul in a young man’s body. He sings, speaks with authority on American history, and quotes the Bible chapter and verse, as it pertains to our American culture. He’s the Louisiana state fiddle champion, and plays the banjo, guitar, mandolin and bagpipes,” Whitworth said.
Whitworth said he expects the show to be wildly entertaining.
“My cousin Roger Hogg was instrumental in organizing this tribute,” said Jim (James) Hogg, father of James Linden Hogg.
“We are so excited to do this show,” he continued. “We love Poplar Bluff, there is so much history and family.”
Recently added to the show is Alex Riffle, of the band Alex Riffle & The Stiff Riffs. According to Jim Hogg, Riffle is a “banjo prodigy.”
During the event, James Linden Hogg will have merchandise available, the funds from which he is using to further assist him in his education, including his newly released book, “Finding Faith in the Waste Land.”
The proceeds raised from the event are to benefit the further restoration of the historic Rodgers Theatre. General admission is $15 and tickets can be found by visiting www.rodgerstheatre.org.