Trip planning
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Deep Blues fest
Experience real deep blues in the heart of the delta
The roots of Deep Blues Fest
In 2007, Chris Johnson held the first Deep Blues Festival in a field just outside of the twin cities. 18 bands performed in an all day event. This was a celebration of outsider and alternative blues and music inspired by these artists. Over the years, hundreds of bands have been involved with the festival and also performing at Chris’ Bayport BBQ.
“What excited me about this music was that it was so different,” said Johnson. “It was raw and immediate and went all the way back to the roots, and artists like R.L. and Junior had so much character.”…
”Next came his discovery of artists like the Black Diamond Heavies, Scott H. Biram, and Bob Log — younger independents making music under the influence of Kimbrough, Burnside, and their hill country kin, including Jessie Mae Hemphill and Othar Turner.”
This new, raw strain of hybrid blues offers deep roots to fans of traditional music. And while Burnside, Kimbrough, Hemphill and Turner are now dead, Kenny Brown, Elmo Williams and Hezekiah Early, and a handful of other Mississippians soldier on.”
Excerpts from The Blues Is Not Dead: The New Blues Underground Rises Up by Ted Drozdowski about Chris Johnson and the Deep Blues Festival.
2023 EVENT SCHEDULE
2024 LINEUP SCHEDULE COMING SOON
THURSDAY OCTOBER 12 – SUNDAY OCTOBER 15, 2023
THURSDAY OCT. 12 2023
@ THE SHACK UP INN
8:00 – JIMMY DUCK HOLMES
9:00 – CATL
FRIDAY OCT. 13 2023
@ MESSENGERS
4:00-6:00 – BENEFACTOR BALL FEAT. SISTER DYNAMITE – BENEFACTOR PASSES REQUIRED
@ THE NEW ROXY
8:00 – JOHN PAUL KEITH
9:00 – JAMES LEG
SATURDAY OCT. 14 2023
@ THE SHACK UP INN
12:00 – 4:00 – Deep Blues Fest Family Picnic Celebrating Chris Johnson – FREE
@ THE NEW ROXY
7:00 – Tijuana Hercules
8:00 – Jimbo Mathus
9:00 – Bob Log III
SUNDAY OCT. 15 2023
@ THE NEW ROXY
2:00 – THE WILKINS SISTERS
DEEP BLUES FESTIVAL 2023 LINEUP
‘OCTOBER 12-15 • 2023 • CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI
JAMES LEG
The son of a Texas preacher, raised in the South on gospel music, James Leg ditills his particular brew of traditional roots and urban feedback, and “Blood On The Keys” is as explosive as it is pure rock n’ roll. This might be his most lethal album so far! – Alive Records/James Leg
BOB LOG III
His web marquee declares: “One Man Band *Guitar*Party*Dance*Mess” – indeed, Bob Log III dons many on-stage personas. Yet his slide guitar rings slow, steady, and relentless – the kind of relentless blues fans crave. This international touring sensation wows in a hard-nosed blues/americana/stage-performer-not-to-be-forgotten kind of way.
JIMMY ‘DUCK’ HOLMES
Owner of Bentonia, Mississippi’s Blue Front Cafe, Mississippi’s oldest still cranking juke joint, Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes is best known as the last remaining bastion of Bentonia Blues. Committed to safekeeping and furthering Bentonia’s vintage of country blues Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes’s sound (and his Blue Front Records) remains a stronghold of gritty, wistful, deep wailing blues.
JOHN PAUL KEITH
THE WILKINS SISTERS
The Wilkins Sisters are the daughters and back-up singers for their father, the late great Rev. John Wilkins. The Wilkins Sisters were brought up singing in the church inspired by their mother and father, and mix gospel, blues and R&B to make a music that is moving, soulful, and uplifting. As little girls they used to open for their father at services, shows, and picnics. The daughters came back together about 10 years ago when they were asked to accompany their father on several songs on his award winning first full-length record, You Can’t Hurry God, on Fat Possum’s Big Legal Mess label. For Reverend Wilkins’ second release, Trouble, recorded at famed Royal Studios and released by Memphis label Goner Records, Rev Wilkins wanted his daughters featured more prominently and that’s exactly what he did. Trouble features the daughters ‘strong soulful vocal leads as well their warm, distinctive harmonies. Upon their father’s untimely passing, Tangela, Joyce and Tawana decided to get back together to honor their father and continue the family tradition as The Wilkins Sisters.
TIJUANA HERCULES
Tijuana Hercules is a long-running Chicago-based hillbilly trance group. A cross between boundary-busting blues and tangled psychedelic roots music, TH’s groove has been known to cure dozens of maladies and prevent a few that have yet to be discovered by modern medicine. Fronted by singer/songwriter/guitarist John Vernon Forbes, the ever-evolving Tijuana Hercules has had many personnel changes, but the line-up has solidified over the past few years to create some of the band’s strongest work to date. Joining Forbes is Joe Patt on drums and Doug Abram on baritone saxophone.
JIMBO MATHUS
Hell-bent, devil-may-care, ‘honky-ton blues,’ as one music lover once called it – think Jimbo Mathus. The frenetic front man for cult status Squirrel Nut Zippers, Mississippi’s Mathus is known for outlandish talent and ever-inspired collaborations.
CATL
Catl are a rock n’ roll duo hailing from Toronto with a reputation for getting people off their asses to do a little drinkin’ and dancin’. They have released 5 full-length records to critical acclaim and toured extensively throughout the US, Europe & Canada since 2010. CATL features Jamie Fleming bashing away on his 40’s Gretsch, while Sarah Kirkpatrick holds down a steady, dirty groove on the 2-piece drum kit. The super-charged couple has been lauded for their intense live performances and engaging stage presence. “Delta-derived juke-joint party music. Ragged, raucous, irresistibly raunchy rhythm ‘n’ blues in the classic sense.” – Ben Rayner
deep blues fest
Experience real deep blues in the heart of the delta
All Festival Passes
Benefactor Passes
BUY TICKETS
Tickets for 2024 – Watch this space!
Benefactor and All Fest Passes on sale soon. Single night tickets available at the door.
DEEP BLUES FEST