Traveling Down the Delta Blues Highway

Had a fun phone conversation with Blues artist Libby Rae Watson. I happened to find her traveling Instagram @liberaetor and talked food, travel, off the beaten path, her music. This is the edited version of a conversation that felt like I was talking to a friend I hadn't caught up with in awhile. 

If you want to help save and preserve graves of Blues artists this is the place and organization to work with.  I had the privilege DeWayne Moore of the foundation. Take a listen to current and upcoming projects.   

This part of our talk we chatted about his winning his Grammy awards and Blues Markers and of course the Delta a little food and fun times. I hope you enjoy.

It's always been a pleasure to speak with Mr.Ferris.  His documentary work over decades  were noticed by the Grammys and he's encouraged me to keep on, and let people's voices be heard, as he has. I always feel honored and blessed  to speak with him and I hope you enjoy his story and our talk of the Blues.

Get an insight into the museum. I've been going there since it was a living museum and now is a memorial. King made it his home and it is a place you want to stop by along your trip down the Delta Blues Highway. 

I was doing an interview and Mrs. Delsie Davis walked in. Since my illness- pre-Covid and the podcast during covid, I came across audio, I had recorded six months before I lost memories. I have some of this trip but audio makes it sound like it was a good one. B.B. King says he has two years of his childhood he can't remember- I could not fathom but now I can. This is the beginning of the podcast taking a break. 

In honor of Juke Joint Festival- We are talking about the Blue Front Cafe and Po'Monkey's to have a little fun. An experience is an experience and you have to get off a travel guide and ask sometimes where to go. 

I really wanted this talk and it was on a drive from seeing family on back ways to Bentonia that I had this chat. There is more I hope to use in another episode down the road, but here is a great talk. It sound like you live your life and play/do what you will from the soul is what I'm learning from these artists. Amazing. It's worth the drive off the beaten path to this surviving Juke Joints and see Mr.Holmes. 

Long time since the interview. And I've been band even though the museum can use the graphics on their website. I now want to take a road trip just to see the newest exhibit,  MTV Turns Forty: I Still Want My MTV.  I can't believe how time flies and how media changes so quickly for us. 

Ok. yes, this is an artist that's not along the Delta Blues Highway, butyou will find her playing three times at Clarksdale's 2022 Juke Joint Festival.She does love Delta Blues and acoustic music and her third CD is her first thatshe has written and is exploding internationally. This interview is different. I thoughtI didn't get the interview, then I had an email asking ,"how is the interview going?" It wasthe week before Christmas. I was lucky to talk to Donna and see her band play and write for BluesMatters. I met deadline. Sadly this is Blues, the creator and editorof the magazine had waited 4 years for a knee replacement died a little later. Weall live the Blues and live each day to fullest. Like that, Donna and her husband went on a date at a Blues concert and it was a connection that continues with them playing together.Buy her CD and take a listen at http://donnaherula.com

Once again, during CoVid, I had the honor of having a phone conversation with Blues Artist Luscious Spiller. You don't hear it in the interview because of time, but he is a man that says we all need to come tougher no matter Blue, Red, blah blah and be one.Music unites and y'all need to remember that. It's inspirational. If you get a chance to hearhim play live, you will hear be amazed. We are all unique but one on the stage. I think that'show he looks at playing and how he looks at life.  Enjoy. And I hope you come back for more episodes.

Yes, I have been wanting to have an episode out every Friday. I have been on the road myself and so, sorry listeners, this is what would have been Friday's episode. I have known Bubba O'Keeffe, when Iwas doing research on re-purposed gas station food and found out his family owned a few Stuckey'sacross the region. He's been an interesting man to always interview and  visit with. Make sure to stop by the visitor center when you are in Clarksdale. The amount of information you get and the hospitality in an old train car is fun. Currently, Juke Joint Festival tickets are available and I havefond memories from years past. It's something you want to make plans for. Enjoy  this episode and thenext few with some of the artists, playing in 2022..

Check out "Home of the Famous" . It's one of the best burgers I've ever had. We then learn about the history of the Roxi, an interesting performance venue, located in downtown Clarksdale. 

If you're traveling  the Delta Blues Highway, there are two things you have to try. It's Hot Tamales and Koolicles. This episode gives you a little insight from some experts on a few regional treasures. 

The day I stopped by, I talked to Roger  Stolle, I heard a few new stories of blues players I hadn't heard before. I was excited as I walked in that in front was Terry Harmonica Bean and I had a chance to talk to him and Lady Trucker. Cathead Blues is a store you can't miss. Roger Stolle is an anchor to the community of Clarkdale and Blues Artists. I can't beleive it's now been 20 years that he moved to Clarksdale and helped with his background in marketing, create festivals, help Blues artists in the area and rejuvenate downtown . Visit the store and you won't walk out without a treasure from your trip.  

This is your first stop along the Blues Trail in Mississippi and don't miss out. The visitor's museum has a great museum and surprise when you stop and eat. 

This is an idea of how the season of Traveling Down the Delta Blues Highway will take you. This is an audio travel book. We talk with blues artists, history and grammy winners, museum directors and people  about food. Let's stop and make discoveries during the season.