Mississippi Blues Trail Series – The Alamo Theatre in Jackson, MS
by Johnny Cole
Photos by Stephen Anderson
Additional editing by Brenda Germany
The Southland Music Line continues our Mississippi Blues Trail Series at the marker recognizing the Alamo Theatre at 333 North Farish Street in Jackson, Mississippi. Prior to 1949, the theatre occupied two previous locations in the area, first at 134 North Farish Street in 1915 and later at 123 West Amite Street, just off Farish, in the 1920s.
For many decades the Alamo Theatre served as a preeminent African-American entertainment venue under the management of Arthur Lehmann (1894-1958), a Jewish-American Mississippi native and businessman. In 1948, Lehmann constructed a new building at the present location to house the Alamo Theatre, which was sold in 1957 one year prior to his death.
The theatre showed movies, featured vaudeville shows, hosted some of Jackson’s most famous music and talent competitions, and presented blues and jazz concerts by such legendary performers as Nat “King” Cole, Elmore James, Tiny Bradshaw, Louis Jordan and Cab Calloway during the 1940s and ‘50s. Another regular feature was performances by some of the area’s popular Gospel groups and vocal ensembles.
Top photo: The Alamo Theatre at 333 North Farish Street in Jackson, MS; Above photo: Mississippi Blues Trail marker honoring the Alamo Theatre in Jackson, MS.
The talent shows held at The Alamo were a launching pad for many aspiring artists. Jackson’s very own American blues, gospel and R&B singer, Dorothy Moore, won several of these contests while still in her teens, which led to a successful recording career. While attending Jackson State University, Moore recorded an album as the lead singer of the vocal group The Poppies. The album, Lullaby of Love, released on the Epic label in 1966, led to her eventually performing as a featured artist on Jackson’s Malaco Records. In 1976, her single “Misty Blue” topped the R&B charts and went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Some of Moore’s other hits included “Funny How Time Slips Away,” “I Believe You,” and “With Pen In Hand.” She later formed her own label, Farish Street Records, named to honor Farish Street, the neighborhood where she was raised. Moore has received many accolades, including several Grammy nominations and the 1996 Governor’s Award For Excellence in the Arts. She also received her own Mississippi Blues Trail marker located on the campus of Jackson State University.
Others who participated in those now famous competitions at the Alamo Theatre were Sam Baker, Jr., Mel Brown, Sam Myers, Cadillac George Harris, Little Jeno Tucker, Tommy Tate, Amanda Humphrey (Bradley), Roosevelt Robinson, the vocal group the Quails (Dequincy Johnson, George Jackson, and Sam Jones), and Albert Goodman (later of The Moments and the trio Ray, Goodman & Brown, known for their 1980 hit single “Special Lady”). During the 1950s and ’60s, Jackson’s WOKJ radio personality, Jobie Martin, emceed the contests.
During the 1950s and ’60s, Jackson’s WOKJ radio personality, Jobie Martin, emceed the contests.
Along with those mentioned earlier, the Alamo Theatre featured such performers as the Rays of Rhythm from Mississippi’s Piney Woods School and Al Benson, who later became Chicago’s top radio personality. Benson often promoted shows at The Alamo in the 1930s and sang with the Leaners Band featuring George Leaner on piano.
Following its closure in 1983, the Alamo Theatre went through an extensive renovation in the 1990s. As part of the community restoration and with hopes of reviving the neighborhood, the theatre officially reopened in 1997 under a non-profit ownership. The theatre’s exterior, art deco interior, marquee and the vertical sign with all its neon were restored to their original design during the two year project. The reopening stands as a reminder of the Farish Street neighborhood’s rich musical heritage and importance to the African-American community. The Alamo Theatre is now hosting all forms of art, music, dance and theatre. One of the earliest programs held at the newly reopened theatre was by bluesman, Eddie Cotton, Jr., who recorded Live at the Alamo Theatre in 2000.
The Alamo Theatre is a proud reminder of Mississippi’s legendary music history and one of the many great Mississippi Blues Trail markers within the state’s capital city.
Jackson’s very own American blues, gospel and R&B singer, Dorothy Moore
Mississippi Blues Trail marker
honoring the Alamo Theatre
Mississippi Blues Trail marker
honoring the Alamo Theatre
The Alamo Theatre in Jackson, MS
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Page Designed & Edited by Johnny Cole
Additional Editing by Brenda Germany
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