The Mississippi Blues Trail was created by the Mississippi Blues Commission in 2006 to place interpretive markers at the most notable historical sites related to the birth, growth, and influence of the blues throughout (and in some cases beyond) the state of Mississippi. Within the state the trail extends from the Gulf Coast north along several highways to (among other points) Natchez, Vicksburg, Jackson, Leland, Greenwood, Clarksdale, Tunica, Grenada, Oxford, Columbus, and Meridian. The largest concentration of markers is in the Mississippi Delta, but other regions of the state are also commemorated. Several out-of-state markers have also been erected where blues with Mississippi roots has had significance, such as Chicago.[1]
The list of markers and locations was developed by a panel of blues scholars and historians. The trail has been implemented in stages as funds have become available. The National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Mississippi Department of Transportation have provided grants for funding of various markers, which are co-sponsored with funds from local communities. The marker texts are researched and written by Jim O'Neal and Scott Barretta, former editors of Living Blues magazine, together with an editorial and design team that has included Wanda Clark; Chrissy Wilson; Allan Hammons; and Sylvester Oliver.[2]
Prior to the founding of the Mississippi Blues Trail, two preliminary markers were placed in Indianola, Mississippi, at a corner where B.B. King played as a young man, and at the Club Ebony.
The first three Mississippi Blues Trail markers were dedicated on December 11, 2006. The first, at Holly Ridge, is dedicated to Delta blues pioneer Charley Patton.[3]
The second marker is located by the Southern Whispers Restaurant on Nelson Street in Greenville. Nelson Street, the home of many nightclubs, cafes, and juke joints over the years, was once the primary center of African-American business, entertainment, and social life in the Delta.[4] For many decades this historic strip drew crowds to the flourishing club scene to hear Delta blues; big band; jump blues; rhythm & blues; and jazz.
The third marker was unveiled at the original location of WGRM radio station in Greenwood, where B.B. King first broadcast as a gospel singer.[4]
By the end of 2016, the Mississippi Blues Trail had placed nearly 200 markers.[5] They honored individual artists, clubs, record companies, radio stations, and historic events, but also the plantations, streets, cities, and counties that developed as centers of blues activity. Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman was also commemorated, as folklorists such as Alan Lomax recorded blues there by inmates (most notably Bukka White) on several occasions, dating to the 1930s.[6]
Current markersedit
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (May 2013)
Locations are in Mississippi unless otherwise stated.
Reverend C.L. Franklin, father of R&B singer Aretha Franklin, preached his first trial sermon at St. Peter's Rock M.B. Church, where this Blues Trail marker is located. [7]
More than 30 musicians are acknowledged at this marker including Alvin Fielder and Eddie Houston. It is located on the former site of the Fielder & Brooks Pharmacy, which Fielder's father (Alvin Fielder Sr., also a musician) started in 1934.
^ Widen, Larry. . Jsonline.com. Archived from the original on 2007-12-15. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
^. Msbluestrail.org. Archived from the original on 2007-02-09. Retrieved 2007-02-09.
^"Haley Barbour Unveils First Marker of Mississippi Blues Trail". Jazz News. Retrieved 2007-02-09.
^ ab "Blues Matters! - Delta sites to be included on new blues trail". Bluesmatters.com. Retrieved 2008-05-28.[dead link]
^"Mississippi Blues Commission - List of Blues Trail Markers". Msbluestrail.org. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
^"BLUES TRAIL MARKS PARCHMAN AS MAJOR INFLUENCE 2012-03-08 at the Wayback Machine." State of Mississippi. September 23, 2010. Retrieved on October 3, 2010.
^"Gospel and the Blues - The Mississippi Blues Trail". msbluestrail.org. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
^Neary, Michael (3 November 2017). "Marker celebrates Meridian's contribution to blues, jazz music". Meridian Star. Meridian, Mississippi. Retrieved 29 April 2020. More than 30 musicians, King noted, are recognized on the marker -- the 198th to be unveiled along the Mississippi Blues Trail.
^"Mississippi honors Houston's Texas Johnny Brown - Houston Chronicle". Chron.com. 2011-09-01. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mississippi Blues Trail markers.
Mississippi Blues Trail list and map
Delta Blues in the Lower Mississippi Valley, Indianola
Mississippi Blues Highway Registry
February 15, 2024
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The Mississippi Blues Trail was created by the Mississippi Blues Commission in 2006 to place interpretive markers at the most notable historical sites related to the birth growth and influence of the blues throughout and in some cases beyond the state of Mississippi Within the state the trail extends from the Gulf Coast north along several highways to among other points Natchez Vicksburg Jackson Leland Greenwood Clarksdale Tunica Grenada Oxford Columbus and Meridian The largest concentration of markers is in the Mississippi Delta but other regions of the state are also commemorated Several out of state markers have also been erected where blues with Mississippi roots has had significance such as Chicago 1 Blues Trail marker in Hernando Mississippi Contents 1 Implementation 2 Current markers 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksImplementation editThe list of markers and locations was developed by a panel of blues scholars and historians The trail has been implemented in stages as funds have become available The National Endowment for the Arts National Endowment for the Humanities and Mississippi Department of Transportation have provided grants for funding of various markers which are co sponsored with funds from local communities The marker texts are researched and written by Jim O Neal and Scott Barretta former editors of Living Blues magazine together with an editorial and design team that has included Wanda Clark Chrissy Wilson Allan Hammons and Sylvester Oliver 2 Prior to the founding of the Mississippi Blues Trail two preliminary markers were placed in Indianola Mississippi at a corner where B B King played as a young man and at the Club Ebony The first three Mississippi Blues Trail markers were dedicated on December 11 2006 The first at Holly Ridge is dedicated to Delta blues pioneer Charley Patton 3 The second marker is located by the Southern Whispers Restaurant on Nelson Street in Greenville Nelson Street the home of many nightclubs cafes and juke joints over the years was once the primary center of African American business entertainment and social life in the Delta 4 For many decades this historic strip drew crowds to the flourishing club scene to hear Delta blues big band jump blues rhythm amp blues and jazz The third marker was unveiled at the original location of WGRM radio station in Greenwood where B B King first broadcast as a gospel singer 4 By the end of 2016 the Mississippi Blues Trail had placed nearly 200 markers 5 They honored individual artists clubs record companies radio stations and historic events but also the plantations streets cities and counties that developed as centers of blues activity Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman was also commemorated as folklorists such as Alan Lomax recorded blues there by inmates most notably Bukka White on several occasions dating to the 1930s 6 Current markers editThis list is incomplete you can help by adding missing items May 2013 Locations are in Mississippi unless otherwise stated Marker name Marker location Photograph Notes100 Men D B A Hall Bay St Louis nbsp 61 Highway Vicksburg nbsp Abbay amp Leatherman Robinsonville nbsp Robinsonville is now known as Tunica Resorts MississippiAberdeen Mississippi Blues Aberdeen nbsp Ace Records Jackson nbsp Albert King Indianola nbsp Alligator Blues Alligator nbsp Amory Blues From A Railroad Town Amory nbsp Arthur Crudup Forest nbsp B B King Birthplace Berclair nbsp B B King s Roots Kilmichael nbsp Baptist Town Greenwood nbsp Beale Town Bound Hernando nbsp Big Jack Johnson Clarksdale nbsp Big Joe Williams Crawford nbsp Big Walter Horton Horn Lake nbsp Biloxi Blues Biloxi nbsp Birthplace Of The Blues Dockery Plantation nbsp Black Prairie Blues Macon nbsp Blue Front Cafe Bentonia nbsp Blue Room Vicksburg nbsp Blues and Jazz in the Pass Pass Christian nbsp Blues Deejays Greenwood nbsp Blues Legends of Duncan Duncan nbsp Bo Diddley McComb nbsp Bobby Rush Jackson nbsp Broadcasting the Blues Gulfport nbsp Brookhaven Blues Brookhaven nbsp Bud Scott Natchez nbsp Buddy Guy Lettsworth Louisiana nbsp Bukka White Houston nbsp Cahors France Cahors FranceCalhoun County Blues Bruce nbsp Casey Jones Water Valley nbsp Cassandra Wilson Jackson nbsp Charles Evers Fayette nbsp Charley Patton Birthplace BoltonCharley Patton gravesite Holly Ridge nbsp Blues singers Asie Payton and Willie James Foster are also buried at this cemetery with Charley Patton Charlie Musselwhite Kosciusko nbsp Choctaw County Blues Weir nbsp Chrisman Street Cleveland nbsp Church Street Indianola nbsp Clinton s Blues Legacy Clinton nbsp Club Desire Canton nbsp Club Ebony Indianola nbsp Columbus Catfish Alley Columbus nbsp Corner of 10 and 61 Leland nbsp Cotton Pickin Blues Hopson nbsp Delta Blues Museum Clarksdale nbsp Denise LaSalle Belzoni nbsp Documenting The Blues Oxford nbsp Dorothy Moore Jackson nbsp Ealey Brothers Natchez nbsp Eddie Shaw Benoit nbsp Eddie Taylor Benoit nbsp Edwards Hotel Jackson nbsp Elks Hart Lodge No 640 Greenwood nbsp Elmore James Ebenezer nbsp Elvis Presley and the Blues Tupelo nbsp Fred McDowell Como nbsp Two other Blues Trail markers are in the same area with this marker that honors Othar Turner and Napolian Strickland Freedom Village Greenville nbsp Furry Lewis Greenwood nbsp Gatemouth Moore Yazoo City nbsp Gold Coast Flowood nbsp Gospel Music and the Blues Cleveland nbsp Reverend C L Franklin father of R amp B singer Aretha Franklin preached his first trial sermon at St Peter s Rock M B Church where this Blues Trail marker is located 7 Grammy Awards Los Angeles CaliforniaGrammy Museum Mississippi Cleveland nbsp Greasy Street Ruleville nbsp Grenada Blues Grenada nbsp Guitar Slim Shellmound nbsp Gulfport Boogie Gulfport nbsp H C Speir Jackson nbsp Harlem Inn Winstonville nbsp Harold Hardface Clanton Tunica nbsp Henry Townsend Shelby nbsp Hi Hat Club Hattiesburg nbsp Hickory Street The Hollow Canton nbsp Highway 61 Blues Robinsonville nbsp Hill Country Blues Holly Springs nbsp Holmes County Blues Lexington Lexington nbsp Holmes County Blues Tchula Tchula nbsp HoneyBoy Edwards Shaw nbsp Hot Tamales And The Blues Rosedale nbsp Houston Stackhouse Wesson nbsp Howlin Wolf West Point nbsp Hubert Sumlin Greenwood nbsp Ike Turner Clarksdale nbsp Ishmon Bracey Jackson nbsp Ishmon Bracey is buried at Willow Park Cemetery which is located across the street from the Blues Trail marker nbsp J B Lenoir Monticello nbsp Jack Owens Bentonia nbsp James Cotton Clayton nbsp Jessie Mae Hemphill Senatobia nbsp Jessie Mae Hemphill is buried at Senatobia Memorial Cemetery nbsp Jimmie Lunceford Fulton nbsp James Son Thomas Leland nbsp Jimmie Rodgers Meridian nbsp Jimmy Reed Dunleith nbsp Jimmy Rogers Ruleville nbsp Joe Callicott Nesbit nbsp John Lee Hooker Vance nbsp Johnny Winter Leland nbsp Jones County Blues Laurel nbsp Lil Green Port Gibson nbsp Little Brother Montgomery Brookhaven nbsp Little Junior Parker Bobo nbsp Little Milton Inverness nbsp Liverpool Liverpool EnglandLivin at Lula Lula nbsp Magic Sam Grenada nbsp Magic Slim Grenada nbsp Malaco Records Jackson nbsp Marcus Bottom Vicksburg nbsp McCoy Brothers Kansas Joe McCoy and Papa Charlie McCoy Raymond nbsp Memphis Minnie Walls nbsp Meridian Blues and Jazz 8 Corner of 5th Street amp 25th AvenueMeridian More than 30 musicians are acknowledged at this marker including Alvin Fielder and Eddie Houston It is located on the former site of the Fielder amp Brooks Pharmacy which Fielder s father Alvin Fielder Sr also a musician started in 1934 Meridian R amp B and Soul Meridian nbsp Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues Festival Pascagoula nbsp Mississippi John Hurt Avalon nbsp Mississippi River Blues The 1927 Flood Scott nbsp Mississippi to Alabama Muscle Shoals Alabama nbsp Mississippi To Chicago Chicago Illinois nbsp Blues Trail Mississippi to Florida Tallahassee Florida nbsp Mississippi to Helena Helena Arkansas nbsp Mississippi to Louisiana Ferriday Louisiana nbsp Mississippi to Maine Rockland Maine nbsp Mississippi To Memphis Memphis Tennessee nbsp Mose Allison Tippo nbsp Mosley amp Johnson New Albany nbsp Moss Point Blues Moss Point nbsp Mound Bayou Blues Mound Bayou nbsp Muddy Waters Rolling Fork nbsp Muddy Waters cabin site Clarksdale nbsp Napolian Strickland Como nbsp Two other Blues Trail markers are in the same area with this marker that honors Othar Turner and Fred McDowell Natchez Burning Natchez Rhythm Club Natchez nbsp Nelson Street Greenville nbsp Newton County Blues Newton nbsp This Blues Trail Marker is located near the historic Alabama amp Vicksburg Railroad Depot Norway Notodden Telemark NorwayOcean Springs Blues Ocean Springs nbsp Oktibbeha County Blues Starkville nbsp Otha Turner Como nbsp Two other Blues Trail markers are in the same area with this marker that honors Napolian Strickland and Fred McDowell Otis Clay Waxhaw nbsp Otis Rush Philadelphia nbsp Otis Spann amp Little Johnnie Jones Jackson nbsp Overton Park Shell Memphis Tennessee nbsp This is the 213th Mississippi Blues Trail marker dedicated on September 23 2023Oxford amp Lafayette County Blues Oxford nbsp Papa Lightfoot Natchez nbsp Paramount Records Grafton Wisconsin nbsp Paramount Records amp F W Boerner Company Port Washington Wisconsin nbsp Parchman Blues Parchman nbsp Peavey Electronics Meridian nbsp Peavine Boyle nbsp Pensacola Blues Pensacola Florida nbsp Pinetop Perkins Belzoni nbsp Piney Woods School Piney Woods nbsp Po Monkey s Merigold nbsp Pontotoc County Blues Pontotoc nbsp Pops Staples Winona nbsp Prince McCoy Greenville nbsp Queen City Hotel amp 7th Avenue Columbus nbsp Queen of Hearts Jackson nbsp Rabbit Foot Minstrels Port Gibson nbsp Ralph Lembo Itta Bena nbsp Rediscovery of Son House Rochester New York nbsp Red Tops Vicksburg nbsp Riverside Hotel Clarksdale nbsp Riley B King Indianola nbsp Robert Johnson birthplace Hazlehurst nbsp Robert Johnson gravesite Greenwood nbsp Robert Nighthawk Friars Point nbsp Rocket 88 Lyon nbsp Roma Wilson amp Leon Pinson New Albany nbsp Roots of Rock And Roll Hattiesburg nbsp Rosedale Rosedale nbsp Rubin Lacy Pelahatchie nbsp Ruby s Nite Spot Leland nbsp Rufus Thomas Cayce nbsp Sam Chatmon Hollandale nbsp Sam Cooke Clarksdale nbsp Scott Radio Service Company Jackson nbsp Shake Rag Tupelo nbsp Sid Hemphill Senatobia nbsp Skip James Bentonia nbsp Son House Clack nbsp Sonny Boy Williamson Glendora nbsp Sonny Boy Williamson In Helena Helena nbsp Subway Lounge Jackson nbsp Summit Street McComb nbsp Sunflower River Blues amp Gospel Festival Clarksdale nbsp Sunnyland Slim Quitman County Blues Lambert nbsp Tate County Blues Coldwater nbsp The Alamo Theatre Dorothy Moore Jackson nbsp The Blues Foundation Memphis Tennessee nbsp The Chatmon Family Mississippi Sheiks Bolton nbsp The Dickinson Family Hernando nbsp The Enlightenment of W C Handy Cleveland nbsp The Hollywood Cafe Robinsonville nbsp The New World Clarksdale nbsp The Staple Singers Drew nbsp Tommy Johnson Crystal Springs nbsp Tommy McClennan Yazoo City nbsp Trumpet Records Jackson nbsp Turner s Drug Store Belzoni nbsp Two Steps From The Blues Ackerman nbsp Texas Johnny Brown 9 a native of Ackerman Mississippi wrote the blues song Two Steps from the Blues Tyrone Davis Leland nbsp W C Handy Birthplace Florence Alabama nbsp Wade Walton Clarksdale nbsp W C Handy Encounters The Blues Tutwiler nbsp WGRM Radio Studio Greenwood nbsp Where The Southern Cross The Dog Moorhead nbsp William R Ferris Vicksburg nbsp Willie Dixon Vicksburg nbsp Willie Mitchell Ashland nbsp Woodville Blues Woodville nbsp WROX Clarksdale nbsp Source Mississippi Blues Trail official web siteSee also edit nbsp Mississippi portal nbsp Blues portalDelta Blues MuseumReferences edit Widen Larry JS Online Blues trail Jsonline com Archived from the original on 2007 12 15 Retrieved 2008 05 29 Mississippi Blues Commission Blues trail Msbluestrail org Archived from the original on 2007 02 09 Retrieved 2007 02 09 Haley Barbour Unveils First Marker of Mississippi Blues Trail Jazz News Retrieved 2007 02 09 a b Blues Matters Delta sites to be included on new blues trail Bluesmatters com Retrieved 2008 05 28 dead link Mississippi Blues Commission List of Blues Trail Markers Msbluestrail org Retrieved 2017 04 22 BLUES TRAIL MARKS PARCHMAN AS MAJOR INFLUENCE Archived 2012 03 08 at the Wayback Machine State of Mississippi September 23 2010 Retrieved on October 3 2010 Gospel and the Blues The Mississippi Blues Trail msbluestrail org Retrieved 2023 10 13 Neary Michael 3 November 2017 Marker celebrates Meridian s contribution to blues jazz music Meridian Star Meridian Mississippi Retrieved 29 April 2020 More than 30 musicians King noted are recognized on the marker the 198th to be unveiled along the Mississippi Blues Trail Mississippi honors Houston s Texas Johnny Brown Houston Chronicle Chron com 2011 09 01 Retrieved 2013 07 06 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mississippi Blues Trail markers Mississippi Blues Trail list and map Delta Blues in the Lower Mississippi Valley Indianola Mississippi Blues Highway Registry Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mississippi Blues Trail amp oldid 1184293060, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
