An Article by Brenda Germany Photos by Stephen Anderson Cotton Pickin’ Blues (listed on the Mississippi Blues Trail website as Hopson Planting Co.) highlights one of the most prominent factors in the “Great Migration” of African Americans from the rural South to the North in search of employment and its… Continue Reading
An Article by Johnny Cole Photos by Stephen Anderson The Southland Music Line continues its Mississippi Blue Trail Series as we spotlight one of the markers located in Helena, Arkansas. In 2019 while traveling to the world famous King Biscuit Blues Festival, photographer Stephen “Andy” Anderson, photographed an array of… Continue Reading
An Article by Brenda Germany “I didn’t plan to go ‘find’ the blues. The blues found me. I’ve been consumed by it for over 40 years. Like Sam Chatmon said, ‘The blues is my daily occupation!’ ” – Libby Rae Watson In all likelihood, many of us have memories of… Continue Reading
An Article by Brenda Germany | Photos by Stephen Anderson Additional photos by Brenda Germany Nestled in the lush rolling landscape of Pike County in southwest Mississippi, the city of McComb lies just above the Louisiana state line. Its advantageous location of 100 miles north of New Orleans, 80 miles… Continue Reading
An article by Johnny Cole | Photos by Stephen Anderson As we continue to explore the Mississippi Blues Trail, we come to the marker honoring the legendary Mississippi John Hurt, located near Avalon, Mississippi. Mississippi John Hurt (1893-1966) became famous after having been rediscovered during the American folk music revival… Continue Reading
An article by Johnny Cole | Photos by Stephen Anderson The history of Pensacola, Florida dates back to its original site in 1559, six years prior to the founding of St. Augustine. Throughout Pensacola’s history, its importance to the region has been vital culturally, economically and politically. For centuries, immigrants… Continue Reading
By Johnny Cole | Photos by Stephen Anderson Our journey tracing the world-renowned Mississippi Blues Trail now takes us to the state’s Pinebelt region and in particular, the cities of Hattiesburg and Laurel. In the early summer of 2019, we decided to visit the three markers in these cities deemed… Continue Reading
An Article by Johnny Cole | Photos by Stephen Anderson Traveling along coastal U.S. Highway 90 in Harrison County, Mississippi in 2019, things have noticeably changed through the years. Gone are the many seafood factories, small mom & pop souvenir businesses and motor inns, now replaced with luxurious casinos, high… Continue Reading
An Article by Johnny Cole | Photos by Stephen Anderson When traveling Highway 90 from Mobile, Alabama in the direction of New Orleans, an enthusiastic fan of the Blues can easily find a host of interesting landmarks along the Mississippi Gulf Coast with deep roots in this cherished musical art… Continue Reading
“You know, you’d prefer to play for people who understand the Blues and are into it. When you’re playing for that group of people it’s kind of like a family, like they’re a part of it and it isn’t about the musician; it’s about the music itself. So, there’s a… Continue Reading
