Mississippi Blues Trail

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Mississippi, United States
Surnames/tags: Notables Musicians US_Black_Heritage

This is a free-space project dedicated to the Mississippi Blues Trail, which was created in 2006 by the Mississippi Blues Commission.

For a group of profiles of those included in the trail, see the category

Related page: Space:African-American Blues Musicians

Robert Johnson marker in Greenwood, Mississippi

Yeah, standin' at the crossroad, tried to flag a ride.
Ooh-ee, I tried to flag a ride
Didn't nobody seem to know me, babe, everybody pass me by.
- Robert Johnson Crossroad Blues

Blue historical markers were placed in locales across the state of Mississippi, commemorating important places, events, and people in the history of blues music. By the end of 2016, over 200 markers had been placed.

The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away
You know you done me wrong baby
And you'll be sorry someday
- Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell The Thrill is Gone

Tchula, Mississippi

Locations Included in the Trail

In Mississippi

• Jackson The City of Jackson is the capital of and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Mississippi. It was the home of Ace Records, the most successful Mississippi-based record label of the 50's and 60's. It was also the home of many blues artists, including Dorothy Moore, Cassandra Wilson, H.C. Speir, Otis Spann, and Bobby Rush. Additionally, Malaco Records, Trumpet Records, the Edwards Hotel, blues clubs The Queen of Hearts and the Subway Lounge, and The Alamo Theater were all located in jackson.

• Tchula Tchula was a center of "juke joint revelry" and was near the homes of famed musicians including Elmore James, Hound Dog Taylor, and Jimmy Dawkins.

Outside Mississippi

• Cahors, Lot, France
  • See Map Home of the annual Cahors Blues Festival. It is the longest running blues event in France. Guests have included: Mississippian Luther Johnson, Jr., B. B. King, Otis Rush, Jimmy Johnson, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Eddie C. Campbell, Charlie Musselwhite, R. L. Burnside, Louis Myers, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Magic Slim, Willie Kent, Zac Harmon, John Primer, and Melvin Taylor.

• Chicago, Illinois
  • Chicago became home to several Mississippi bluesmen, including Willie Dixon, Memphis Minnie, Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf, and Elmore James. Record labels based out of Chicago include Chess, Vee-Jay, and Cobra.

• Pensacola, Florida
  • The Belmont Theater, located at 115 East Belmont Street, was a music venue and eventual movie theater the Long Hollow neighborhood. Appearing there were Jelly Roll Morton and Bessie Smith. Many other clubs cropped up in the Belmont--DeVilliers neighborhood featuring artists such as B.B. King, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Boy Williamson, Junior Parker, Bobby Rush, Denise LaSalle, and the Ike & Tina Turner revue.

I can't quit you, baby

But I've got to put you down for awhile
You know I can't quit you, baby
But I've got to put you down for awhile

- Willie Dixon I Can't Quit You Baby

See also:

• the Blues Hall of Fame page

Sources

• Mississippi Blues Trail home page
• Blues Trail Markers
• Mississippi Blues Trail wikipedia entry.
• Space:African-American Blues Musicians

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This project is in conjunction with the US Black Heritage Project.