Delta Blues Press Release

Newest exhibit focuses on the bluesman who taught Robert Johnson,
features the work of Blues Hall of Fame inductee Dick Waterman

CLARKSDALE, MS (June 23, 2011) - The Delta Blues Museum is set to unveil its newest exhibit focusing on Son House, the renowned bluesman who taught Robert Johnson how to play guitar. The retrospective features the work of Blues Hall of Fame inductee, photographer and archivist Dick Waterman (largely known for his work with The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and others.) The opening reception will be held at the Delta Blues Museum on Thursday, June 23rd, and is sponsored by The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, Mississippi Arts Commission, National Guitar Company, and Friends of the Delta Blues Museum. Mississippi musician Bill Abel will perform at the reception, showcasing Son House's music on a replica steel guitar donated by National. Members of the press may access the PRESS ROOM for additional information, images and materials via registration on the Museum website.

The "Follow Son House" interactive feature, located on the Delta Blues Museum's website

About the Son House - Robert Johnson Connection

Museum director Shelley Ritter says that Dick Waterman's photographs of Son House are at the heart of the exhibit. "Many people may not be aware of the important role (Waterman) played in bringing Son House's music to the world," offers Ritter, adding that Waterman managed Son House in the 1960s and helped to promote House's music and his contribution to the blues as an art form. A current resident of Oxford, MS, Waterman remains the only non-musician or music industry executive to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and will be part of the museum's opening reception.

Opening reception invitation, featuring photography by Dick Waterman

About the Museum

Established in 1979 by the Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees and re-organized as a stand-alone museum in 1999, the Delta Blues Museum is the state's oldest music museum. The museum is dedicated to creating a welcoming place where visitors find meaning, value, and perspective by exploring evolution of the unique American musical art form of the blues. The City of Clarksdale, located at the intersection of Highways 61 and 49 ("the crossroads"), and the surrounding Delta region are known as "the land where the blues began." Since its creation, the Delta Blues Museum has preserved, interpreted, and encouraged a deep interest in the story of the blues. The Delta Blues Museum Stage serves as the main venue for local festivals such as the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival in August and the Juke Joint Festival in April.

Members of the press may contact the Director and/or access the PRESS ROOM for further information, images and materials by registration on the Museum website.

Shelley Ritter, Director