48th Annual MS Delta Blues Fest one of the best!

Greenville, Mississippi, remains the site of the oldest continuously running blues and heritage festival in the world. The 48th Annual Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival upheld its reputation with an outstanding artist lineup, keeping the blues alive. 

Approximately 10,000 fans showed up this year to hear the great sounds of traditional blues music with a splash of Southern Soul. 

The 48th Annual Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival presented blues legends and newcomers with 24 acts on two stages. The blues legends were featured on the main stage along with popular newcomers mixing R & B and Southern Soul music, appealing to both traditional blues fans and novices who heard that unforgettable blues beat from high noon until well into the Delta night.

The main stage featured the sounds of acoustic blues legends, including Jimmy “Duck” Holmes and Rising Star Fife and Drum Band, followed by the boogie woogie piano of the Kattawar Brothers. 

Then Lil Jimmie Reed, son of the iconic bluesman Jimmie Reed, laid down his signature traditional blues guitar and harmonica, backed by Jake & The Pearl Street Jumpers with an infectious upbeat bassline. 

The St. Louis Bluesman and Keith Johnson, “Prince of the Delta Blues,” laid down some more traditional blues, igniting the true blues lovers. 

Newcomers Bre Wooten and FPJ brought a Southern Soul blues flavor that resonated with a younger crowd of fans. 

The Zydeco flavor was presented by “S Dott,” bringing diversity into the lineup and was well received by everyone. 

The main stage hosted 14 acts in total, featuring legends Bobby Rush, Shirley Brown, and Willie Clayton. Rush told the audience he had been in attendance for over 46 years. He received a standing ovation when he sang crowd favorites that showcased his dancing girls. Shirley Brown sang all her crowd favorites, sparking sing-alongs. Willie Clayton and LJ Echols sang radio favorites keeping the crowd enthusiastically engaged. 

The Juke Joint Stage offered a variety of music, providing blues fans with a more intimate and up-close encounter with performers who had been on the main stage. Fans got a chance to talk with musicians and ask them questions about their music and blues journey. Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Rising Star Fife and Drum Band, Keith Johnson, Mike and Jerry Kattawar, Lil Jimmy Reed, and Jake and The Pearl Street Jumpers went to the small stage to give festivalgoers a special treat.

 Festival organizer, Chauncy Wright said, “I wanted to expose our fans to the creativity and diversity of music with musicians from St. Louis to Louisiana and Mississippi.” I wanted to give fans something extra and the Jumbotron gave everyone, no matter how far away, a close-up view of each performer. We also expanded the VIP seating, allowing more fans a closer view of the main stage while performers were live.”

The sound was provided by Sidetraxx. It made the music sound perfect for both the main stage and the Juke Joint stage. 

Local and out of state DJs, The Ragman (WMPR of Jackson, Mississippi), Cyreio Hughes (WBAD of Leland/Greenville, Mississippi), and Beverly Johnson (WDIA of Memphis, Tennessee) served as stage hosts introducing each act. They also provided a brief history of each entertainer.

Greenville Mayor Errick D. Simmons, along with Congressman Bennie Thompson and State Senator Derrick Simmons, welcomed the large crowd. They received roaring ovations. 

Make plans to join the 49th Annual Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival next year on the 3rd Saturday in September. Visit www.DELTABLUESMS.ORG and/or call festival organizer Chauncy Wright at 662-645-7045 or the Mississippi Action for Community Education, Inc. (MACE) at 662-335-3523 for information and merchandise regarding next year’s festival.