On my travels to hear music throughout Mississippi, I enjoy setting the tone by visiting Mississippi Blues Trail markers. Scott Barretta, author of State of Blues, has written and designed,with Jim O’Neill, many of these blues trail placements. I’ve found it’s fun to slow my journeys, seek out a marker while listening to the music of the placement honor.
One special afternoon, Jeanie (my blues-hound girlfriend) and I stopped in Indianola to visit Club Ebony. We read the marker, visited with the hangouts, and walked into to get a beer. Mary Shepard, Ebony’s owner, was friendly and offered to visit over a beverage. While talking, she ordered up a fresh batch of fried catfish. As it turned out, an old Ebony music pal of Jeanie’s also turned out to Mary’s buddy. Mary called him and he quickly showed up. A couple of beers later we drove up 49 eating a batch of fresh catfish, laughing about our fun.
“It’s nice to be important and it’s important to be nice.” -Mary Frances Shepard
This quote from Mary’s memoir sums it up.
Blues trail markers have special placement festivities, usually featuring live music. Honeyboy was on hand for Stovall’s placement at Muddy’s Cabin site. Recently, I caught the Ike Turner introduction on his Clarksdale corner.
Surprisingly, to me it seems there is no John Lee Hooker Blues Trail marker. Tell me if I’m wrong, and if I’m right, but let’s start an e-mail campaign to Scott to help get him a marker.
I would love to hear about your favorite Blues Trail markers so I can check them out. You can click on the trail map below to enlarge it.
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