Before hopping on a plane to Memphis, I knew very little about the area known as the Mississippi Delta. But what I found was a pleasant surprise, not to mention some of the lovely people I met. This area is known as “Ground Zero of the Blues,” with blues clubs and juke joints lining the entire small town. I didn’t have as much time to explore as I would have liked, but I made the most of it, walking the perimeter and snapping the street art.
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Our group arrived in the small town for Juke Joint Festival, an event that brings in visitors from around the world to hear blues music played in clubs and on street corners. We tucked into Hambone Gallery to catch some music after watching this man play on the sidewalk. The night ended at the Ground Zero Blues Club, a historic venue partially owned by actor Morgan Freeman, who is often seen there. He still lives most of the year in Mississippi.
There are a few museums in town that provide visitors with a background knowledge of the blues culture and history. Start at the Rock & Blues Museum, which has memorabilia from the blues and its influenced music, before going to the Delta Blues Museum. It features great exhibits on notable musicians from the Mississippi Delta such as Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters.
Over at Ground Zero, a crowd had already gathered by 6 pm. The group claimed all the seats at a table and took in the atmosphere. The venue was covered in autographs from visitors on every surface from the tables, walls and even lamps. I ordered a Lazy Magnolia beer and hot tamales, a signature Mississippi dish. I’ve never had as delicious tamales in my life. If you’ve ever doubted the food at a dive like this, Ground Zero will change your mind!
Clarksdale is located an hour and a half’s drive from Memphis, Tennessee, two and a half hours from Little Rock, Arkansas and six hours from Atlanta, Georgia. It’s certainly off the beaten path, but well worth the detour if you’re a fan of music. It’s the blues that has influenced every style of modern music.
Looking for a place to stay? Travelers Hotel is in the heart of downtown with artsy rooms.
My trip to Clarksdale was organized by the Mississippi Delta Tourism Association and Visit Mississippi.
No wonder so much great music comes from the States. Love the rainbow on the road… I really need tog et myself over to the states on a road trip!
also bei meiner nächsten (hoffentlich bald stattfindenden Reise in die USA Südstaaten) wo ich ne kleine Kreuzfahrt auf dem Mississippi machen möchte werd ich auch in Clarksdale absteigen :-) ich hoff ich hab Mississippi mal richtig geschrieben. meist vergess ich nen Doppellaut :-)