Mississippi Blues Trail facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Mississippi Blues Trail is a special project that started in 2006. It was created by the Mississippi Blues Commission. The goal is to put up signs, called interpretive markers, at important places where the blues music began, grew, and became famous. These places are mostly in Mississippi, but some are outside the state too.

The trail goes from the Gulf Coast in the south all the way north. It includes cities like Natchez, Vicksburg, Jackson, and Clarksdale. Many markers are in the Mississippi Delta, which is a very important area for blues music. Some markers are even in other states, like Chicago, where Mississippi blues became popular.

How the Trail Started

Experts in blues music and history chose the places for the markers. The trail has been built step by step as money became available. Groups like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mississippi Department of Transportation have given money. Local towns also help pay for the markers.

The words on the markers are written by Jim O'Neal and Scott Barretta. They used to be editors for Living Blues magazine. They work with a team to make sure the information is correct and looks good.

Before the official trail began, two markers were placed in Indianola, Mississippi. One was where B.B. King played music when he was young. The other was at a famous club called Club Ebony.

The first three official Mississippi Blues Trail markers were put up on December 11, 2006.

The first marker is in Holly Ridge. It honors Charley Patton, a very early blues musician.
The second marker is on Nelson Street in Greenville. Nelson Street was once a busy area for African-American businesses and entertainment. People came to hear Delta blues, big band music, and jazz.
The third marker was placed at the original WGRM radio station in Greenwood. This is where B.B. King first sang on the radio as a gospel singer.

By the end of 2016, almost 200 markers were on the Mississippi Blues Trail. They honor many things. These include musicians, music clubs, record companies, and radio stations. They also mark important events, plantations, streets, cities, and counties that were key to blues music.