More blues singers have come from Mississippi than all the other Southern states combined. In recognition of that fact, and in acknowledgment of the vast talent of blues singers, the Mississippi Blues Commission established what is known as the Mississippi Blues Trail.
The Trail was created as a project to place a series of instructive markers at various locations throughout the state honoring such historical sites as the birthplace of blues icons like B.B. King, Muddy Waters, “Pinetop” Perkins, and even Elvis himself. Other markers commemorate blues related locations much like the recent recognition of Hattiesburg’s original Hi-Hat Club, one of the night spots whose former existence was part of what was previously known as the “chitlin' circuit,” a string of performance venues where the blues once held sway.
Other markers identify and link to interpretive centers or outstanding museums such as the B.B. King Museum in Indianola where one can receive guitar lessons or simply learn more about the blues from exhibits and through video presentations. Some towns stage concerts for the faithful or soon to be faithful aficionados of the blues.
So it is with Picayune
On June 11, Picayune will hold its third annual June Summer Blues Out and GPAC Art Walk. Having attained Mississippi Blues Trail status itself, the Blues Out is quickly becoming a much anticipated event and one that is growing in stature each year.
Picayune’s June Summer Blues Out is a free performance sponsored annually by the ever-active group of volunteers known as Picayune Main Street, Inc., and which features some of the best local blues talent to be found. So popular and remarkable has the event become that it has been selected among the Top 20 Events for the month of June by the Southeast Tourism Society based in Atlanta, which disseminates such information to more than 800 media outlets.
The June Summer Blues Out has now become known as a town party. In addition to the main stage performers, individual shops and restaurants may feature their own blues bands and vocalists, or entertain with an open Karaoke night for the wannabe blues artist songster. Last year’s event featured barbeque ribs and pie eating contests, an antique car show, horse and buggy jaunts, train rides, local art exhibits from the Greater Picayune Arts Council as well as a donation of a blues themed original oil painting from popular Picayune artists Milo and Mickey Asche, and T-shirt sales, the proceeds of which go toward paying the performers, staging the event, advertising, and other related costs of producing the Blues Out.
So what’s up for this year? Nothing less than a repeat of last year’s success plus a few new wrinkles from the Main Street crew. Center stage performers at this time include hot singer and instrumentalist Melanie Wilkinson, and local favorite Brenda Davenport Taylor, daughter of the late trumpeter Wallace Davenport, whose credits include tours with Count Basie, Lionel Hampton and Ray Charles.
One thing that is quickly noticeable about the blues is its universal appeal. Upon hearing those opening deep-down notes, the blues takes hold and brings forth an immediate identification with what is to come. Perhaps as a result of its plain uncomplicated lyrics that all folks recognize as having at one time been part of their lives, or its unadorned chord progressions which translate the sounds of its harmonies into our natural rhythms, the blues talks to us in basic terms. Nothing phony here. The blues is real. It can be funny, sad, or an equally simple statement of fact, but in all cases it reminds us of our shared humanity in a most straightforward way. The blues doesn’t lie.
So if you’re ready for those strong bottomless sounds on slide guitar, stormy Monday tears, waking up happy, and songs that tell us of gladness or melancholy, come ramble through the streets of downtown Picayune in June and come away with the music still dancing in your soul.
Mississippi's Premier Online Magazine
SINGIN' THE BLUES
Picayune prepares for its annual summer blues festival
text and photography by louie galiano
Click on individual photo to enlarge.
The following artists will perform from 5-10 p.m. Friday, June 11, at a stage at the intersection of North Main and West Canal, by the railroad tracks in downtown Picayune:
Headliner
New Orleans blues great Little Freddie King, 5:45-7 p.m.
Other Performers
Melanie Wilkinson
Brenda Davenport Taylor
Wardell Williams and his band
Sound provided by Big Noise Productions
For more information call (601) 799-3929 or (601) 798-2226
