Vu Tran’s debut novel is Dragonfish (Norton) a literary thriller that follows Robert, an Oakland cop, as he is blackmailed into searching for his ex-wife amid the sleek and seamy gambling dens of Las Vegas. Author Tim O’Brien said, “This spellbinding novel had me turning pages late into the night.” The New York Times adds, “A strong first novel… a well-handled and tautly told story.” Tran was born in Saigon and raised in Oklahoma. A winner of the Whiting Award, his short stories have appeared in many publications including The Best American Mystery Stories. He teaches creative writing at The University of Chicago.

Bill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry was born in Tula, Miss. and was recording gospel music at legendary Chess Records as a teenager during its 1950s heyday. As a blues singer, Perry’s CDs include Jook Joint Stomp, Reason I Sing the Blues and his most recent, The Clarksdale Sessions. The Perry family (including keyboard/vocalists Sharo and Bill, Jr.) were recently honored with a Mississippi Blues Trail Marker on the Oxford square.

The Lane Chapel Male Quintet is based out of Tupelo, and performs a wide variety of music, ranging from spirituals to modern R&B. As its name implies, the group sings in five-part harmony. Founded in 1976, the group’s CDs include, World Peace, Christmas in My Hometown and Home Going. Earlier this year, the group received a 2015 Governor’s Award for Musical Excellence.