Mississippi Blues Trail
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The Mississippi Blues Trail, created by the Mississippi Blues Commission, is a project to place interpretive markers at the most notable historical sites related to the growth of the blues throughout the state of Mississippi. The trail extends from the border of Louisiana in south Mississippi and winds its way to Memphis, Tennessee.[2]
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[edit] Implementation
The list of markers and locations has been developed by distinguished blues scholars and historians. The trail is being implemented in stages as funds become available. The National Endowment for the Arts has provided a grant for partial funding.[3]
More blues singers have come from the state of Mississippi, especially the Mississippi Delta, than all the other Southern States combined. These include Son House, Robert Johnson, Charlie Patton, Muddy Waters, Skip James, Bukka White, John Lee Hooker, and B. B. King. [2]
The first marker was placed at Holly Ridge in 2005. It is dedicated to Charlie Patton as the "Father of the Mississippi Delta Blues".[4]
The second marker is located in front of the Second Whispers Restaurant on Nelson Street in Greenville, a stop on the Chitlin' Circuit in the early days of the blues.[5] This historic strip which in the 1940s and 1950s drew crowds to the flourishing club scene to hear Delta blues, big band jump blues and jazz.
The third marker ceremony was at the WGRM radio station location in Greenwood where B. B. King first broadcast.[5]
[edit] Current markers
Source: Mississippi Blues Trail official web site
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Elvis gets marker on Mississippi Blues Trail - USATODAY.com. usatoday.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ a b Widen, Larry. JS Online: Blues trail. www.jsonline.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-29.
- ^ Mississippi Blues Commission - Blues trail. Retrieved on 2007-02-09.
- ^ Haley Barbour Unveils First Marker of Mississippi Blues Trail. Jazz News. Retrieved on 2007-02-09.
- ^ a b Blues Matters! - Delta sites to be included on new blues trail. www.bluesmatters.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
