Mississippi Tourism

I haven't gotten one of their tourism updates for awhile.  Perhaps a summer vacation in Mississippi to hear the blues would be good for you!

April 1, 2011 Enter to win the Delta Backroads & Blues Getaway, a three-day freewheeling adventure for two through the magnificent Mississippi Delta. You'll savor Mississippi soul food, relax in the best in Southern hospitality accommodations and enjoy a performance by the blues king himself - B.B. King. Head to the Mississippi Delta, where festival season is in full swing from April 'til October. Join the party as the Delta celebrates everything from racing catfish to authentic juke joints, barbecue to international cuisine, fine arts to the mighty Mississippi River, and of course, the born-in-the-Delta blues that made this little ol' area famous worldwide. From April through June there's a festival almost every weekend. And hey, it's the Delta - if there's not a celebration in progress when you arrive, you're more than welcome to start your own. So what are you waiting for? Head for the Delta, where the party's already waiting for you. River to the Rails April 8-9 Main Street Greenwood Greenwood, MS Air Supply April 9 Gold Strike Casino Tunica Resorts,MS Southaven 31st Annual Spring Fest April 14-16 Snowden Grove Park Southaven, MS 24th Annual Riverfest April 15-16 Historic Downtown Vicksburg Vicksburg, MS Juke Joint Festival April 16 Clarksdale, MS Crosstie Arts Festival April 16 Cleveland, MS Art After Hours April 24, 5-7 p.m. Front Street Indianola, MS Mainstream Arts & Crafts Festival and Catfish Races May 7 Courthouse Lawn Greenville, MS Jerry Clower Festival May 7 Downtown Yazoo City Yazoo City, MS Stay At The Best - $39.00 Best Western Indianola, MS Key West Inn Tunica Resorts $34.95 Special Robinsonville, MS

Mississippi Delta Tourism Association P.O. Box 606 - Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614 Copyright © 2011 Mississippi Delta Tourism Association. All Rights Reserved. 1-800-626-3764

Sam Chatmon: That's Alright

Some classic delta blues from the hills of Mississippi. The great Sam Chatmon.

R L Burnside: Poor Boy Long Ways From Home

R L Burnside was one of those iconic bluesman that lived in the hill country of Mississippi. He and his large family have done more to keep alive the blues of Mississippi than anyone else. Here is some great footage of R L doing some classic blues.

R L Burnside: Feelin Good

R L Burnside recorded live!

R L Burnside - Feelin' Good
Uploaded by fredozydeco

Blues Event At the State Historical Society Of Iowa

Mississippi Blues was shown by the State Historical Society of Iowa, at the
Historical Building in Des Moines. I actually was disappointed. It was a movie made in the late 70s, or early 80s, and was about a team of French documentary film makers and their adventures in Mississippi. It painted a pretty bleak painting of life in Mississippi, and the politics of the era, so in a way it was a dated movie, and yet it is an important film that it captured what life was life then. While there was blues music in the movie, for the most part I think the title really meant, hard luck in Mississippi. However, my part in the days adventure had nothing to do with the movie. I was there to help lead a discussion with Hobart DePatton about Center Street. Below is a picture of an exhibit on permanent display at the Historical Building. The majority of the exhibit was donated by Hobart DePatton, and belonged to his father who was the local printer on Center.



















I was suppose to lead discussion with Hobart about Center Street, but things got mixed up! That was alright, because when dealing with the blues you need to ad lib:-)Mr. DePatton ending up on stage with the people who were going to discuss the music of Center Street. In the picture below you have from left to right Hobart DePatton, Mel Harper(owner of two clubs located in the Bilikin Ballroom) George Davis,(Guitarist and Vocalist for the Soul Brothers, and currently Sumptin To Do) and Harlan Thomas (Keyboard Player, and Vocalists for the Soul Brothers, and currently Backstage Boogie Band)



















George Davis on Guitar




























Harlan Thomas On Keyboard













However, I did play a part in the festivities. I was asked to introduce Cheryl Pryor, and Jack Lufkin. I told a couple of stories about Jimmy Pryor, and then introduced his wife Cheryl, then Jack Lufkin one of the curators at SHSI came down and accepted from Cheryl Jimmy's legendary Kazoo. Hopefully, in a few weeks Cheryl will also donate one of Jimmy's cool suits so that they can have a display of Jimmy's memorabilia.


It was a nice afternoon of blues, and while the crowd was disappointedly small, those who were there had a great time. I will post the photos that I have on my myspace page. I will update this page, and put up a hotlink to the photos once I get it done.


UPDATE

Photos are up CLICK HERE

Mississippi Blues Film To Be Shown In Des Moines Iowa

The State Historical Society Of Iowa Will be showing Mississippi Blues, September 6th and 8th. Also their will be a Center Street retrospective with yours truly moderating the event. If you are in Des Moines stop on by and say hi.