Ms Slideguitar

Our small church in rural LaFayette County Mississippi held an old fashioned sing.  More than a dozen performers traveled to the church to share their gifts.  Shown here are Rev. and Kelley Sodeinde.  Kelley treated us to some acapella songs, including "In The Garden."  Afterwards one of our most beloved members got right up and hugged her on the spot.

It was hard to make progress on the streets of Clarksdale during Juke Joint this year, because every few steps was someone marvelous.  Here is "Ironing Board" Sam, a legendary New Orleans performer putting on an awesome one man show.  Bought his CD, and was astounded by his version of "Ode to Billy Joe."  Good tip jar idea too!!

Last night, at the rural home of Jim Avent, some energetic and friendly young people and their mentors were gathered. It was the FFA from LaFayette County enjoying some fellowship and out door games.  Jim, whose ancestors had moved here in the mid 1800s, did it up right with not one, but three bonfires, volleyball and soccer (?) going on.   There were hotdogs to roast over the fires, s'mores to be made and STORIES after dark by the crackling fires.  The group had requested that Rebecca Jernigan come by and do a story!  She asked me to come along, and we did our "Robert  Johnson at the crossroads" piece where I play some moody guitar behind the Rebecca's story.  They were an attentive audience, laughing and being scared at the right places.  One student mentioned afterwards that the atmosphere of the story reminder her of New Orleans, mysterious and magical.  After the story the audience still had energy and went on a high speed version of hide-and-seek where 100 was loudly counted off by the bonfire by 2 students while the others went off to hide, within boundaries, then for some reason everyone made a bee line running back to the fire circle to much laughter and high spirits.

The Opry started at 6.  This was not Oxford style, where doors open at the announced time show starts an hour later. The show started at 6 and maybe at 2 minutes before 6.  The audience members were neatly seated in folding chairs.  Being so close to Oxford, it was nonetheless totally different from the blues, rock, ghostly country, and revelry of the Oxford square. "Heartland" launched into some purely Appalachian- style music - the stoic faces, the stiff postures, the indifference to appearances, the nasal mountain inflection, the atavistic harmonies - it was all there.  Band was of six members -  3 singers, 2 on guitar and one on a mountain dulcimer; a harmonica player, a guest mandolin player from the house band and an upright-bass player.  The harmonica player especially, played some all-out solos.  It was mystifying to find this music in Mississippi but was a revelation to find they had traveled from Iuka, which is in fact, the end of the Appalachians.  Between songs, they kept up a connection with the audience through remarks of the front man and the woman on dulcimer, total pros. 

"The house band "Lost Tyme" followed, with some fast bluegrass.  They were guitar, Jerry Haney filling in on bass, Rusty Pinion on banjo, later exchanging instruments,  and a very fast fiddle player who was wearing a huge silver and gold belt buckle.  As they were finishing up, the audience called for Rusty Pinion to sing one.  First he would not, and said "Come back next time and I'll sing 2."  Then he relented and in a deep steady voice sang a heart rending version of the tearjerker "Green, green grass of home."

Sunday night found me at the Club Ebony in Indianola, a guest of the multi talented Perry family and friends.  Bill HowlN Madd Perry was kind enough to sort of take me under his wing, introduce me around, and invite me on stage for a few.  Sharo, on keyboard, commented how my slide was more Hawaiian style, which pleased me a good deal. Bill's granddaughter (Sharo's niece) was there adding to the party.     Now, Frank, their super swift guitar player tried to buy the Taylor from me to add to his 25 guitar collection.  :-)    In the audience were some  people who I came to find out were some of the outstanding players in the Delta, namely Alphonso S., and Mickey Rogers.  Also met Carol and Ron who are in the music business.  Wishing the Perry's safe travels while on the road, and looking forward to continuting our beginning when they return from New York!!

Anupama Bhagwat played an afternoon raga or rag (?) on the Sitar followed by improvisation.  Accompanying her was an equally accomplished musician on the tablas.  The tabla sounded alternately like very deep water, sticks, running, rain, and maybe a bullfrog.  The effect was at first trancelike then, at the end, lively.  Photo - after the show.

Went out to the market site primped up an ready to play, and it was raining steadily.  Water was running down the pavement and pooling on the tents.  Though, a few people were buying and selling.   Organizers were willing to set up the musician tent and get out the power.    But after awhile decided not to play, as people were coming on a mission, not to hang out.  Marlow said he would sing instead, hmmm.   Still, it was totally enjoyable,  I got to meet Ann and others at the coffee and organizers tent, then visited at length with Taylor, my delightful neighbor from Yocona Bottom Farms.  72 degrees.

The photographer is photographed!  Millie Moorehead West on the other side of the camera. Biggest party ever last night for this year's conference.  It was below 90 and slightly overcast.   So many people from all over, and many local friends.  Jo Dale M, Rebecca and Jonathan, Dianne F., Shirley P., Betty's family, remembering her, Henry O. over from Merigold, Judy T.  three out of town doctors here to see what its all about and search for the blues.