Photographed by Bill Ferris in Leland, MS, 1968. From the William R. Ferris Collection. Click on the above image for an amazing trip through the Southern Folklife Collection.
Around 40 years ago, I learned about Son Thomas from Bill Ferris’s research and work. Soon there after, at Patti Black’s Capitol Folk Series, I heard Son live in the restored senate chamber. These two folks have done so much to preserve and guide our education about Mississippi blues.
About five years ago, I heard Pat Thomas performing with his ever-slanted head gear in Clarksdale. Pat looks remarkably like his dad and patterns his musical style from his father, performing many of the same songs as he carries forth his dad’s legacy. Pat, like his father, molds out of clay–“heads” also patterned after his father’s art style. Pat loves to draw cats which he enjoys labeling with “Love Dad” as part of signing his artwork.
Around the same time I heard Pat, I bought from Roger Stolle’s fine Cathead Delta Blues and Art Store a very cool head done by Pat for my son Austin’s birthday present. He placed Pat’s fine head on his mantle in Charleston, South Carolina.
Over the years as my son churned his idea for a vodka distillery with his roommate Richard, it seems that Roger’s Cathead store and Pat’s Cathead sculpture weaved through their consciousness. As their vodka distillery–Mississippi’s first legal distillery–came about, Cathead was chosen for its name and a Pat Thomas cat influences their logo design.
It’s so strange the influence of Mississippi blues on our lives. Sometimes, it’s just hard to explain. However, thanks to Roger and Pat, Cathead Vodka is now launched.
It’s not really necessary to understand why things happen, it’s just fun to go for the ride and let the blues vibe work within your soul.
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Click here to see all of our blogs on Mississippi State of Blues.
Ken Murphy and Scott Barretta will be signing at Lemuria on Thursday, November 11th.
Reserve your copy online or call the bookstore 601/800.366.7619.
For a view of the beautiful photos, please visit the official State of Blues website.
jjj
In high school, during a Hot Stax show, I caught Bobby Blue Bland as a first. I think the Bar-Kays backed up the opening act for Bobby for Sam and Dave and Otis Redding. I was an instant fan for all of these guys. Bobby’s two steps from The Blues is an all-time favorite Blues/Soul album. I saw Bobby last at the Biscuit (Arkansas Blues Festival) in Helena, Arkansas. A fine evening of music sitting on the Levee in the cool October air soaking in my favorites once again.
Ken’s photo of B. B. and Bobby B is priceless, a classic, perhaps my favorite in Ken and Scott’s new book. Love radiates off these old pros.
B. B. is something very special and will be at the Helena Blues Festival. He’s still touring, still King of the Blues. The thrill may not be what it was, but it’s definitely not gone.
Click here to see all of our blogs on Mississippi State of Blues.
Ken Murphy and Scott Barretta will be signing at Lemuria on Thursday, November 11th.
Reserve your copy online or call the bookstore 601/800.366.7619.
jjj
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