I ended my Juke Joint Fest 2012 at DJ Hype’s Rhythm and Blues, a venue in North Clarksdale, far removed from the downtown area. The Roosevelt Robinson Blues Band from Jackson was on stage, performing for a small crowd that included some folks from Sweden.
Louis “Gearshifter” Youngblood performing at Club 2000, Juke Joint Festival, Clarksdale, MS, 4/14/12
Eddie C. Campbell performing at The Bank, Juke Joint Festival, Clarksdale MS, 4/14/12
Jimbo Mathus calls his unique mixture of blues, country and rock “Catfish Music”, and is a popular performer at every Juke Joint Festival, as he is a former resident of Clarksdale. Messengers Pool Hall, where he performed on Saturday night, is possibly the oldest continuously-operated juke joint in Mississippi. Mathus is about to release his latest album White Buffalo.
The Baby Blue drumline performing on Delta Avenue, Clarksdale, MS, Juke Joint Festival, April 14, 2012
#26 Panola County High Steppers drumline.MOV (by jdoggtn7)
The Panola County High Steppers drumline and majorettes perform at the Battle of the Bands at Frayser High School in Memphis, April 13, 2012
The Fayette-Ware High School Band from Somerville, TN competing in the Battle of the Bands at Frayser High School in Memphis, April 13, 2012
On Thursday April 12, 2012 I drove to Clarksdale, Mississippi for the first night of the annual Juke Joint Festival, and a lot has changed since last year. A new coffee bar called Yazoo Pass has opened downtown, the Blues Source CD shop has closed, sadly, and new lofts and condos have appeared. I ate dinner at Rust, grabbed a latte from Yazoo Pass and headed over to the Delta Theater to catch Jimbo Mathus, but I got there a little too late.
#083 Madison High School (Tallulah) Band.MOV (by jdoggtn7)
The Madison High School Band from Tallulah, LA marches in the Grambling Homecoming Parade, October 22, 2011
