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2009 News and Events

The Delta Blues Museum is Saddened to Report

(October 30, 2009)

Miss Sarah Moore of Sarah's Kitchen & Blues Club on Sunflower Avenue in downtown Clarksdale was killed this morning in an early morning traffic accident on Highway 61.

The Delta Blues Museum's Web Site Award

(October 2009)

www.deltabluesmuseum.org, was awarded a "gold" certification in the Corporate Design, small budget, multimedia category, by the Southeastern Museums Conference at their annual meeting, held in Charleston, West Virginia. The current site was designed by Quimby Vance of E.Q. Design, with site mapping, copywriting and editing, and research by John Howell of Greenland Inc. Site building was performed by the design team at Verity Internet.

Delta Blues Museum Receives Awards From the Southeastern Museums Conference

(October 2009)

The "Rhythm & Roots Invitation", designed by James Tootle, was awarded Honorable Mention in the Corporate Design, small budget, invitations category. The Delta Blues Museum Website, designed by EQ Design, Greenland Marketing, and Verity Internet was awarded GOLD in the Corporate Design, small budget, multimedia category.

Willie "Rip" Butler

(September 2009)

Willie "Rip" Butler, a local musician and member of the Wesley Jefferson Southern Soul & Blues Band has recently been hospitalized due to heart problems. After going to the emergency room, he learned that two of his arteries are 100% blocked and another one is 75% blocked. He is currently at home until he is able to have heart surgery. It is uncertain if he will be able to return to work. Cards and donations may be sent to: Rip Butler, PO Box 831, Shelby, MS 38774

Delta Blues Education

(September 2009)

It's 3 p.m. on a Monday at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, Miss., and students are trickling in for the Delta Blues Arts and Education Program.

Sam Carr, Bluesman, Dies

(September 2009)

The music of the Jelly Roll Kings -- Mr. Carr, guitarist Jack Johnson and pianist/harp player Frank Frost -- was raw electric Delta blues; a reminder of a time when such music was made in Mississippi and Arkansas' rural roadhouses, "juke joints" that hosted gambling and often served moonshine whiskey. Read More

BBC Producer to Air Documentary at Williams Festival

(September 2009)

CLARKSDALE - Broadway stars, regional artists, scholars and fledgling actors from high schools across Mississippi are waiting in the wings to take center stage Oct. 16-17 at the 17th annual Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival. Read More

Dorothy Moore Tours England

(September 2009)

Dorothy Moore will start a musical tour October 1, 2009 for eighteen days. She will be performing dates with the David Gest My Life Concert Extravaganza. Moore, best known for her song Misty Blue, will join pop and soul artists like Russell Tompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics, Percy Sledge, Billy Paul, Peabo Bryson, James Ingram, Jean Knight, Deniece Williams, William Bell and others. Read More

Sam Carr

April 17, 1926 - September 21, 2009

The Delta Blues Museum is saddened to announce the loss of the legendary Sam Carr. Born Sam Lee McCollum, the son of Robert Lee McCollum (the legendary slide guitar player Robert Nighthawk) he was adopted by the Carr family at an early age. Sam is best known for his longtime association with Frank Frost & the Jelly Roll Kings. He was preceded in death last November by his wife of sixty-seven years, Doris Carr. Sam was 83.

2009 Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival Ticketing Update

Ticketing will only be done at the Main Stage. Tickets for this year's event will cost $5 a day and $10 for a three-day pass. All other stages and areas of the festival, including vendors, will be open to the general public. Tickets are available for presale online and in Food Giant and Tobacco Warehouse stores starting September 10.

"ZZ Top: Rocking Hard Since '69

(September 9, 2009)
Toledo Blade - Toledo,OH,USA

In the late 1980s the trio helped raise $1 million for the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, MS, and turned a piece of wood from Muddy Waters'... Press Release

Barbecue, Bible and Abe chase racism from Mississippi rib joint

(September 4, 2009)
CLARKSDALE, Mississippi (CNN)

Pat Davis was just 10 years old when two black men came into his father's barbecue joint in the heart of the Mississippi Delta in 1947. A huge fuss ensued, with four racists shouting every name in the book. Press Release

Barretta: Blues Seeps out of Every Delta Nook and Cranny

(August 6, 2009)

The Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival is recognized internationally for its stellar lineups, but many fans head to Clarksdale this weekend... Read More

Clarksdale Bluesman Wesley "Junebug" Jefferson Passed Away

4:30pm on Wed., July 22, 2009. He had been suffering from cancer. Cards and donations may be sent to Mr. Wesley's widow: Mrs. Sarah Carr, 737 Maple Street, Clarksdale, MS 38614.

John Lee Hooker

(June 2009)

John Lee Hooker's "Boogie Chillen" was added to this year's National Recording Registry today. Read Article

Koko Taylor

1928 - June, 2009

The Board and Staff of the Delta Blues Museum is saddened by the news of the loss of Koko Taylor. She performed in Clarksdale at the Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival and the Delta Blues Museum Gala. She will be missed. Read More

North MS Hill Country Picnic June 26-27, 2009

Hello Picnic Fans, It's that time of year again. We're working hard to get ready for the Picnic and once again I'm asking for your help to spread the word, the press release is below so send to everyone in your address book!

Barnard Creates Unique Tapestry Design for 22nd Sunflower River Blues Festival

(June 2009)

Unveiling party set July 3 at Ground Zero Blues Club. Read More

Walking the Walk and Talking About Freedom

(June 22, 2009)

In Clarksdale, MS, they saw guitars of bluesmen Robert Johnson and BB King, and remnants of Muddy Waters' birthplace at the Delta Blues Museum. Read More

MVSU Hosts B.B. King Workshop on June 5, 2009

Delta Blues Museum Students to be Featured

The Mississippi Valley State University Ninth Annual B.B. King Blues workshop is scheduled for Friday, June 5, beginning at 9:00 a.m Read More

Mississippi Delta Blues - Blues Education

(June 2009)
NewOrleans.com

It's 3 pm on a Monday at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, Miss., and students are trickling in for the Delta Blues Arts and Education Program. Read More

Tracking down the Delta Blues

(May 15, 2009)
Vancouver Courier - Vancouver,British Columbia,Canada

It's only fitting, therefore, that Clarksdale should be the home of the Delta Blues Museum. It's located in the old Yazoo- Delta Railroad freight depot. Press Release

Berklee scholarship winners ready to face the music

(May 3, 2009)
Jackson Clarion Ledger

Walker took first place at a competition sponsored by the Delta Blues Museum . "It's an opportunity of a lifetime," Bush says. Press Release

Loyola 'Blues Travelers' Explore Mississippi Delta, Report on Experiences

(May 3, 2009)
Loyola Press Release

Twelve journalism students in the Loyola University New Orleans College of Social Sciences are on an eight-day tour of the Mississippi Delta, in search of stories and photos along its historic blues trails Read More

Musselwhite Exhibit Draws Large Crowd

(April 24, 2009)
Clarksdale Press Register

Those who showed up Tuesday evening at the Delta Blues Museum were in for a musical treat from one of the all-time blues harmonica greats. Press Release

Charlie Musselwhite

(April 2009)

Son of Mississippi, Citizen of the World - Opening Reception - April 21, 2009 Read More

Two Mississippi Teen Musicians Awarded Full Scholarships for Summer Study at Boston's Renowned Berklee College of Music

Boston (April 22, 2009)

PJ Walker, from Clarksdale, and Demetrius Williams, from Brookhaven, both 18, will spend five weeks this summer in Boston, studying at the prestigious Read More

Michael James

June 10, 1965 - April 7, 2009

The Delta Blues Museum is saddened by the loss of Michael "Dr. Mike" James. Born in Shaw, MS June 10, 1965, Michael was a longtime member... Read More

Seventh Annual Two Rivers Gala

(April 2009)

The Seventh Annual Two Rivers Gala, benefiting Tougaloo College, will be held on April 4, 2009. This years headline act is legendary blues artist, B.B. King. Read More

On the Trail of the Mississippi Blues with BB King

(April 5, 2009)

The blues has its spiritual home in the southern state of Mississippi. Geography, politics and history all had their parts to play for better or worse, with the grand old Mississippi River, the privations of the cotton farms and the evolution of beautiful black spirituals coming together in Read More

Dorothy Moore Sings National Anthem for JPD Recruits

(March 2009)

Dorothy Moore, best known for Misty Blue, will sing the National Anthem a cappella for the Jackson Police Department recruit graduation Read More

Willie King

3/8/1943 - 3/8/2009

The Delta Blues Museum mourns the loss of our friend Willie King who suffered a fatal heart attack on his 66th birthday. Press Release

Road trip with All-American musical theme

(March 3, 2009)

It's always time for a road trip getaway, and a good road trip always needs music. Press Release

Legacy Podcasts: BlackHistory

(February 2009)

Legacy Podcasts celebrates Black History Month 2009 with 28 features in 28 days, saluting some of the greatest African-American pop, jazz, soul and blues musicians. Buddy Guy, Sam Cooke and more. Read More

Congratulations to Mississippi Grammy Award Winners and Nominees

(February 2009)

Jackson native, Cassandra Wilson won Best Jazz Vocal Album, for Loverly. Indianola native and blues legend, B.B. King won Best Traditional Blues Album, for One Kind Favor. Pinetop Perkins was a nominee in this category for Pinetop Perkins and Friends.

Mississippi Museums Association

(January 2009)

The Delta Blues Museum welcomes the Mississippi Museums Association February 7-9, 2009 Download Flyer

Mississippi Delta Blues Announces Movie Screening and CD Release Parties

(January 26, 2009)

Mississippi Delta Blues, Inc. and the 308 Blues Club and Cafe present "A Movie and Music Showcase"Friday, February 20, 2009at the 308 Blues Club and Cafe, 308 Depot Avenue, Indianola, MS 38751. Read More

South for a song

(January 17, 2009)

We adjourn to the nearby Delta Blues Museum, which celebrates local luminaries such as Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker. A guy behind the counter, ... Press Release

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