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| Keeping the Mississippi Blues Legacy Alive and Relevant |
| 2017-07-20 |
| [AmericanBluesScene] Blues and jazz are uniquely American art forms. Folks can discuss the origins of each, but one fact is indisputable: When it comes to blues, the state of Mississippi is exceptionally blessed. Of particular note are what is known as Hill country blues and Delta blues. Along with the history of these genres and just as important, are the lives and work of the authors, performers, and interpreters of this music. Everyone from Robert Johnson, Willie Brown, Ishmon Bracey, Bo Carter, and Son House, to Little Freddie King, Robert Bilbo Walker, James Cotton, Elmore James, and Charley Patton has contributed to the mythic folklore and seemingly endless catalog of music that constitutes the Delta blues. A list of no less talented performers has contributed their vast abilities to the Hill country blues including probably the best known of these, “Mississippi” Fred McDowell. Today in Mississippi there are many programs and initiatives to not only keep Mississippi’s rich music heritage alive, but also to bring that legacy to new generations so that they can keep it and pass it to their children. This year Mississippi is celebrating “Mississippi at 200” with unique events and programs throughout the state. American Blues Scene was fortunate to spend some time with Abe M. Hudson Jr., elected Mississippi State Representative, on June 28th, 2016 in a special election for District 29, Bolivar and Sunflower Counties. He is a native son of the Mississippi Delta, and a graduate of T.L Weston High School in Greenville, Mississippi. After graduation, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he received a BSBA in Marketing. He then attained two Master’s degrees, an MBA and a MSBA in Finance, from Mississippi State University. Hudson is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning from Jackson State University. Hudson owns two businesses, Abe Hudson Consulting Services, and Real Delta Tours and Artistry. Real Delta Tours and Artistry is a company committed to providing authentic Mississippi Delta Tours, creating handmade invitations, and sponsoring creative events. The businesses are located in downtown Cleveland, Mississippi. Initially, we rattled off just a sampling of celebratory events coming up including Bo Carter’s Headstone Celebration, and the City of Cleveland Bicentennial Celebration, hosted by Cedric Burnside. Then too, there’s the New York City premiere of the Daniel Cross documentary, I Am the Blues, which sees the great Bobby Rush guiding the filmmakers around the Delta and Hill country to meet and film pioneers of Mississippi blues. We asked Representative Hudson what he thought about Mississippi being so blessed with events celebrating the blues. More at the link |
| Posted by:badanov |
| #4 Ha. Now I have you pictured as Davina(of the Vagabonds)! |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2017-07-20 10:58 |
| #3 I told Mr. Wife I posted the above, and he reminded me that we also are having the local chapter of Guitars for Vets open for the national headliners on the main stage Friday night. Guitars for Vets is a national program providing therapy for veterans with PTSD through music. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2017-07-20 09:08 |
| #2 Skidmark, if you happen to be passing near Cincinnati on August 11-12, we're having our 25th annual blues fest. It's not as big as the entire state of Mississippi, but we enjoy ourselves. Mr. Wife and I will be working both days, after which I plan to collapse. Details here. This year Mr. Wife started a new program at the Cincy Blues Society where people can donate money to provide tickets to veterans, distributed by the DAV and AFTA-Cincinnati. I'm really proud of him. Thus far we have enough donations to provide tickets to 300 veterans and their guests! |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2017-07-20 09:03 |
| #1 Best blues bar I ever found was under the arch in St. Louis @0300. Six stools, two tables, one-eyed bartender, albino on the harmonica and singing, white guy on the horn. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2017-07-20 08:10 |