CLARKSDALE, Miss. — September is shaping up to be a busy month in Clarksdale, with four festivals bringing blues, soul, roots music and cultural celebrations to the city and surrounding area.
Known as the “Home of the Blues,” Clarksdale will host a series of events throughout the month featuring established musicians, local performers, food, arts and family activities.
Red’s Old Timers Blues Fest
The month begins Saturday, Sept. 5, with the Red’s Old Timers Blues Fest at the Red Paden Stage at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
The festival begins at 11 a.m. and features Charlie Musselwhite as the featured performer. The lineup also includes Australia “Honey Bee” Jones, Watermelon Slim, Frank “Guitar” Rimmer Band, Brotha Ric Patton and Carla Robinson, Ms. Gladys Blues Band and Lucious Spiller Band.
Clarksdale Day Fall Fest
Clarksdale Day Fall Fest will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Delta Blues Museum Stage, beginning at 11 a.m.
The free event will feature Southern soul performances by Jaye Hammer, Arthur Young and O.B. Buchana.
The event also will include food vendors, family activities, children’s activities, artisans and cultural exhibits.
Mighty Roots Music Festival
The Mighty Roots Music Festival will take place Sept. 25-26 in Stovall, Mississippi.
Friday’s lineup includes Tobacco Road, Ozark Riviera, The Great Dying and Crooked Diehl.
Saturday’s performers include St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Happy Landing, Jombi, Perfect Friend, Jack Fortun and Pothole Paradise. A late-night jam session featuring Quint & Big D also is planned.
Jessie Mae Hemphill Hill Country Blues Festival
The month will close with the second annual Jessie Mae Hemphill Hill Country Blues Festival on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Crossroads Cultural Arts Center in Clarksdale.
The festival honors Grammy-winning blues artist Jessie Mae Hemphill and features performances by Lil’ Joe Ayers, Lady Trucker, Duwayne Burnside, Watermelon Slim, Robert Kimbrough Sr., Kenny Kimbrough, King Artemas, Trenton Ayers, Lil’ Willie Farmer, Janky, Beverly Davis, Rev. Slim, Edna Nicole, Spitcup & The Jukes, Brackish Water Blues Band and others.
With four festivals scheduled throughout September, Clarksdale is preparing for a month centered on the music, history and culture that have helped establish the Mississippi Delta city as a destination for blues and roots music.
