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L to R: Daxton Patrick, Woodbury, portrays Jerry Lee Lewis during Million Dollar Quartet at the Arts Center. Savannah Grimm, Co-Host at 107.5 FM, Nashville, plays Elvis Presley's girlfriend, Dyanne. Jacob Miller, Bradyville, plays country singer Carl Per
Sassafras is not only the deep roots found in the Auburntown community. Daxton Patrick's family roots go back two generations with both paternal grandparents and great-grandparents hailing from Auburntown. Daxton portrays the legendary piano musician, Jerry Lee Lewis, in Million Dollar Quartet now showing at the Arts Center of Cannon County.
Daxton is certainly qualified for his role in this box office hit as he started taking piano lessons around age nine. But he would not practice and played mostly by ear. His lack of motivation made my mom mad. By the time he was in the sixth grade, he took piano lessons from Heather Molder of Woodbury. This was a good fit for Daxton as he learned how to play with other musicians and combine natural talent with reading sheet music. "I cannot rely 100 percent on reading music", reported Daxton. I play piano about 50 percent by ear and 50 percent musical notes." His God given talent allows him a wide range of musical interest including playing piano every Sunday at Dillon Street Baptist Church where his father Ray has served as pastor since 2013.
At Cannon County High School, Daxton played in the school band. One of his fellow classmates and musicians was Jacob Miller of Bradyville. Jacob plays Carl Perkins in the Million Dollar Quartet. "Since we are both marketing minors at MTSU, we still attend several classes together," said Daxton whose major is video and film. Local dentist and Art's Center Life Board member, Darryl Deason came to know these two young men when working with the Cannon County High Beta Club. Deason and several of the kids created a musical skit that won 2014 State and National Beta Club competitions. For Beta talent shows, they put together a melody of songs from the 1950's and 1960's, such as Hound Dog, Hit the Road Jack and Johnny Be Good.
While attending MTSU, Daxton is also working at Rutherford County TV. His career plans are not formalized but he knows that he wants to continue acting and playing music on the side after graduation in May 2018. Daxton enjoys performing with the Million Dollar Quartet cast and said the show is much better in front of a live audience. Even towards the end of the show, he feels energized as he jumps on top of the panio to perform. Million Dollar Quartet continues at the Art's Center through September 30th. Call 615-563-2787 or go online at www.artscenterofce.com for tickets.
