Bluesman R. L. Boyce was a native of Como, Mississippi in Panola County, the town which Mississippi Fred McDowell called home for much of his life, and Boyce was active in music from his teenaged years, starting out as a bass and snare drummer in fife and drum bands. Later he played the set drums for the late Jessie Mae Hemphill and ultimately picked up the guitar, playing in an enigmatic style that often seemed the musical equivalent of mantra or trance.
Boyce passed away in 2023, but each year, his daughter Sherena sponsors the R. L. Boyce Memorial Picnic in Como Community Park to commemorate his memory, assisted by many musicians who knew and loved her father. This year’s picnic was moved to September both to avoid the hotter weather in August, and also to alow for more thorough planning, as the event was awarded a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission in Jackson. As always, free food and drink was provided to early attendees and performers until supplies ran out, and music was provided by Joe Ayers, the Otha Turner Boys Fife and Drum Band, the 78 band, Sean “Bad” Apple, David Evans, Jeffrey Evans, Colombian bluesman Carlos Elliot Jr who was taught by R. L. Boyce, and Memphis bluesman Big Don Valentine and the All-Stars.
Care was taken to keep the event as a traditional picnic rather than a festival or concert, and toward that end, no admission was charged, and all concessions were given away to fans and performers alike. Toward the end of the night, a roar from the crowd revealed that Ole Miss had beaten LSU in football. All in all, it was a great night of food, fellowship, fun and music, with no untoward incidents.