Brinkley, AR
Music connected to Brinkley
About Brinkley
- • Singer Iris DeMent, known for her folk and country music, was born in Brinkley.
- • Some claim Brinkley is the original home of the 'brown paper bag test' in social circles.
- • The Little Rock and Memphis Railroad made it a hub, boosting its early growth.
- • An annual 'Brinkley Bugle' newspaper was published for decades, filled with local news.
- • The Great Flood of 1927 heavily impacted the town, causing widespread damage.
- • It was named for Robert C. Brinkley of the Memphis & Little Rock Railroad, established in 1872.
- • The population is roughly 2,400, a decline from its peak in the mid-20th century.
- • The elevation is 203 feet, offering a relatively flat landscape.
- • Agriculture, particularly rice and soybeans, remains a vital part of the local economy.
- • Visiting evokes a sense of quiet, small-town charm and fading history.
- • The Memphis Grizzlies, roughly 90 miles away, are the closest NBA team.
- • Paul "Bear" Bryant coached at Fordyce High School, near Brinkley, before his legendary career.