King, Clearwater and Bell honored with Blues Trail Marker

Starkville Daily News reports on the Noxubee marker:

History was made Tuesday in the Black Prairie region of the state [with]...a Mississippi Blues Trail Marker unveiling ceremony in Downtown Macon. The Black Prairie Blues marker will honor legendary bluesmen Willie King, Eddie “The Chief” Clearwater and Carey Bell. King and Clearwater were on-hand for the ceremonies and were joined by the late Bell’s son Steve, a talented harmonica player in his own right. Among those in attendance were legendary Jackson bluesman and Blues Commissioner Jesse Robinson, Highway 61 Radio Host and Living Blues Magazine Editor Scott Baretta, Co-founder of Rooster Blues Records and Living Blues Magazine Jim O’Neal, Howlin’ Wolf Blues Society Director Richard Ramsey, Philadelphia blues prodigy Caleb Childs and Waverly Waters Resort and 2 Brothers BBQ CEO Mike Reilly. Several family members of King, Clearwater and Bell were also on hand. Tuesday’s Black Prairie Blues Trail Marker unveiling was the 46th Blues Trail Marker unveiling ceremony, and its crowd of roughly 160 visitors made it the largest crowd for an event of its kind to date, according to Baretta and Heritage Trails Program Manager Alex Thomas. “Although, collectively, the three blues artists have performed at venues from Jackson to Stockholm, Sweden, they always make sure people know they are from Noxubee County,” said Noxubee Alliance Director Brian Wilson during the opening ceremonies. “And it means so much to have them back here in Noxubee County today.”

Historic Joint Peformance by Black Prairie Blues Legends

It is homecoming time, blues style, in Noxubee County. Blues legends Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater and Willie King will perform together for the first time ever on Tuesday, August 19 at 11 a.m. during the Black Prairie Blues marker dedication ceremony in downtown Macon, Mississippi. The Black Prairie Blues marker is the newest addition to the Mississippi Blues Trail and will honor Noxubee County natives and Blues legends Carey Bell, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, and Willie King. In addition to the Clearwater King performance, Steve Bell, son of deceased honoree Carey Bell, will represent his father and perform with Jesse Robinson and the 500 Pounds of Blues Band. Scott Barretta, host of Highway 61 radio show on Mississippi Public Broadcasting and former editor of Living Blues magazine, will make a special presentation. And there will be lots of BBQ and cold drinks on this hot and bluesy Mississippi reunion.

Eddy Clearwater
Willie King
Carey Bell
Jesse Robinson

Carey Bell and Jesse Robinson

Scott Barretta writes in today's Clarion Ledger: "The blues world suffered a major loss May 6 with the passing of harmonica great Carey Bell (Harrington), a native of Macon. His death came shortly after the release of a new dual CD and DVD release, Gettin' Up: Live (Delmark), which illustrates how his command of the harmonica and powerful vocals remained undiminished." (Full Story Here)

Carey Bell's son, Steve, a resident of Kosciusko, will participate in a "harmonica blowout" at blues guitarist Jesse Robinson's annual birthday celebration at Hal & Mal's, which begins at 7 p.m. tonight. Other guests include King Edward, Alphonso Sanders and Rhonda Richmond.

Jesse Robinson's Birthday Bash

Mississippi bluesman Jesse Robinson will be celebrating his birthday in the Red Room at Hal and Mals in Jackson on May 24. 7pm till midnight; $10 cover

Blues Trail: Robert Johnson

Last week, the Mississippi Blues Commission unveiled the latest marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail. Just north of Greenwood at Little Zion Baptist Church, they unveiled the marker for Robert Johnson (full story). Scholars have determined that this is the most likely location of Johnson's remains, due in part to eye witness accounts discussed in this 2001 piece by National Public Radio.

Jesse Robinson and Rev Steve Johnson (Robert Johnson's grandson) were musical guests at the dedication.

Here is a link to some great pictures the Mississippi Department of Tourism took of the event.

I took a few pictures while I was there, too...

The front of Robert Johnson's grave marker:


The back of the marker:


The sign for Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church:


You can make contributions to the upkeep of the facilities:


Steve Johnson (grandson of Robert Johnson) sings "Sweet Home Chicago" with Jimmie Robinson.

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While I was in the area, I zipped over to Moorhead to see where the Southern crosses the Dog.