Vicksburg MS Blues Artists – Mississippi Blues Trail

by Mauka · Published March 6, 2024 · Updated April 23, 2024

VICKSBURG MS BLUES ARTISTS

This Vicksburg MS blues artists blog is a passionate exploration of the rich history and cultural impact
of the Blues Markers that can be found along Highway 61 in Vicksburg, MS. As fellow blues lovers,
we understand the special significance this highway holds for both musicians and fans.
Here, we have gathered information on these historical markers to share with you,
adding to the allure and allure of this legendary route.

Vicksburg MS Blues Artists: 61 HIGHWAY

Construction on this initial road was mapped out in the 1920s and continued until the early ‘40s, starting as a gravel road passing through various downtown areas of cities like Memphis, St. Louis, and St. Paul.
But what truly makes Highway 61 stand out is its connection to blues music. Known as “The Blues Highway,” this stretch of road was traveled by many blues artists who were drawn north in search of better opportunities during the Great Migration.
By this time, several musicians had already recorded songs about their experiences on Highway 61. In fact, one artist who famously paid homage to this iconic road was Bob Dylan. In 1965 he released his influential album “Highway 61 Revisited.” His album not only solidified his place as an American music legend but also brought further attention to Highway 61 and its rich musical history.
Today, as you travel along this historic route, you’ll find many Blues Markers placed on significant sites such as recording studios and performance venues. A majority of these towns are small and easily accessible for those looking to embark on a journey through blues history.
So next time you hit the road, keep an eye out for those iconic blue markers and take a moment to appreciate the significance of Highway 61 in shaping the blues genre.

This article presents a brief overview of the talented.
Included on the list are renowned names such as Willie Dixon, Louisiana Red, and Muddy Waters among many others.
These artists have made significant contributions to the blues and music industry,
showcasing their unique talents and creating a rich musical legacy for future generations.

Highway 61 Blues Marker

Vicksburg MS Blues Artists: BLUE ROOM CLUB

The Blue Room, a renowned nightclub in the South, has been open for over 30 years.

During its time of operation, it welcomed some of the most iconic musicians including Ray Charles, Fats Domino, B.B. King and many more.
However, the Blue Room was not just a place to enjoy live music; it also offered various amenities such as guest rooms, a restaurant next door and even a casino for gambling.
The owner, Tom Wince Jr., also owned other popular establishments such as Ruby’s Nite Spot in Leland and New Club Desire in Canton.
Despite its popularity and success, the Blue Room came to an end in 1972 leaving a legacy as a beloved spot for both locals and visitors alike.
Interestingly, teenagers were welcomed on certain nights in the Blue Spot Room. Vicksburg’s Red Tops played here on a regular basis.

Vicksburg Blues Marker map location for the Blue Room Club

Vicksburg MS Blues Artists: MARCUS BOTTOM neighborhood

Located midway between New Orleans and Memphis, Vicksburg was not only a bustling river port, but also home to the largest African American community in the state. This strategic location made it a hub for music artists, particularly those who performed blues, jazz, and gospel.
One of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Vicksburg was Marcus Bottom, where professional traveling bands would mix with itinerant guitarists from nearby cotton plantations, barrelhouse piano players, and other musicians who worked at various clubs and cafes.
Among these early performers were renowned blues artist Eurreal “Little Brother” Montgomery and pioneering Delta blues musicians such as Charley Patton, Bo Carter, and Honeyboy Edwards.
Vicksburg also produced prominent blues composer Willie Dixon, who gained recognition on the Chicago blues scene.
The city’s South Side Park Dance Hall as well as Zach Lewis’s and Bell’s Café were popular venues for blues performances and jazz legends like jazz legends Earl “Fatha” Hines, King Oliver, Bennie Moten, and Louis Armstrong.
In 1954, a renowned folklorist named Frederic Ramsey Jr. visited the area to capture the sound of string band musicians for his record series, “Music of the South.” This visit not only preserved a piece of Marcus Bottom’s musical heritage, but also shed light on its vibrant music scene to a wider audience. The recordings made by Ramsey serve as an important documentation of a unique musical tradition that thrived in this small town.

The musical culture in the town of Marcus Bottom remained strong through the years,
with local performers entertaining audiences at various clubs and jukeboxes playing blues tunes.

Vicksburg Blues Marker map location for the Marcus Bottom neighborhood

Vicksburg MS Blues Artists: RED TOPS

Between 1953 and 1974, the Red Tops out of Vicksburg, Mississippi dominated the music scene with their unique blend of blues, jazz, and pop.
Originally called the Rebops during World War II, the group gained popularity with Rufus McKay’s stirring rendition of “Danny Boy.”
The Red Tops were a top choice for events at country clubs, restaurants, ballrooms, high schools, and colleges throughout Mississippi and neighboring states like Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
While most performances were for white audiences due to segregation laws at the time, the band also played for African American crowds at select venues such as the Blue Room in Vicksburg and various Elks lodges.
Maintaining, their professional jobs during weekdays did not hinder their success as weekend entertainers. With their widespread appeal and energetic performances, it’s no wonder that the Red Tops were known as the most popular dance band in Mississippi during this era.

Notably, Red Tops performances for African American audiences were at the Blue Room in Vicksburg,
Stevens Rose Room in Jackson, Ruby’s Night Spot in Leland, the Harlem Inn in Winstonville, the Plaza Hotel in Greenwood,
and various Elks lodges.

Anderson “Andy” Hardwick, the youngest of the Red Tops, was a talented saxophonist and bassist who spent his summers touring with some of the most renowned musicians in the country, including Lowell Fulson, B.B. King, Otis Redding, Fats Domino, and James Brown.
However, as his passion for blues and R&B grew stronger, he departed from these groups and teamed up with vocalist Rufus McKay to form their own band called “Fabulous Corvettes”.
While Hardwick continued to impress audiences as a jazz pianist, McKay pursued a career in Las Vegas as part of the popular group The Ink Spots.
It wasn’t until 2000 that McKay returned to Vicksburg, where it all began for both musicians.

The Red Tops were a highly organized and professional business,
with meticulous record-keeping through detailed ledgers and annual audits.

Their performances were carefully planned; often scheduled up to a year in advance.
In addition, the group placed a high importance on rehearsal time, strictly adhering to their schedule.
Furthermore, they also maintained a polished image through their matching tailored uniforms.
Moreover, the members of this business were held to strict rules of conduct and underwent regular inspections to ensure professionalism.

Vicksburg Blues Marker map location for the Red Tops

Vicksburg MS Blues Artists: WILLIAM R. FERRIS

Let’s take a look at the incredible life and career of William R. Ferris.
Born and raised in Vicksburg on February 5, 1942,
Ferris has become a prominent figure in the world of filmmaking, writing, education, and folklore.

Ferris’ journey began on his family’s farm, Broadacres, located southeast of the city. It was here that he first developed a fascination for collecting and documenting stories from the African American workers employed on the farm.
This passion continued to grow throughout his high school years as he was exposed to blues music, religious tunes, and captivating stories while listening to WLAC radio station out of Nashville.
During visits to Vicksburg, Ferris would attend performances by groups such as the Red Tops and other local musicians. His exposure to different forms of traditional music only fueled his passion for documenting Mississippians through recordings, books, film, and photography.
Throughout his long and distinguished career, Ferris has left an indelible mark on the world through his dedication to preserving traditional culture and sharing it with others. He has captured countless stories through various mediums and has become a respected authority in the field of folklore.

However, it wasn’t just Mississippi that captured Ferris’ attention.
A visit to Ireland sparked his interest in studying folklore and eventually led him
to earn a Ph.D. in Folklore from the University of Pennsylvania. For his doctoral dissertation,
Ferris focused largely on the influential circle of musicians surrounding
Leland namely bluesman James “Son” Thomas .

As a filmmaker, Ferris captured the musical talents of artists such as Thomas, Scott Dunbar, Lee Kizart, and Lovey Williams through his recordings in both England and the United States. Moreover, his fieldwork was documented through 15 films, including Give My Poor Heart Ease, Mississippi Delta Blues, and Gravel Springs Fife and Drum.
His dedication to preserving Southern culture led to his founding of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi in 1978.
In 1983, he played a crucial role in acquiring Living Blues magazine and other important collections for the university’s Blues Archive including three collections that formed the core of the Ole Miss library’s Blues Archive, from B.B. King, Living Blues, and folklorist Kenneth Goldstein.
From 1997 to 2001, Ferris also served in leadership positions, including Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities, before returning to academia at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2002.
Through his life’s work, William Ferris has not only enriched our understanding of blues music but also shed light on rich cultural traditions in American history.

William R. Ferris brought a broader recognition to the blues and other folk expressions through his
advocacy work in academia and at the National Endowment for the Humanities.
He was a Grammy Award winner in 2019 for Best Historical Album for the Dust-to-Digital boxed set
“Voices of Mississippi: Artists and Musicians Documented by William Ferris”
which features his recordings, photographs and films.

Map location for William Ferris in Vicksburg

Vicksburg MS Blues Artists: WILLIE DIXON,
a legendary blues musician, was born in Vicksburg on July 1, 1915.

Dixon was exposed to music at a young age through his mother’s poetry, the blues of pianist Little Brother Montgomery, and church hymns. However, it wasn’t until his teenage years that he really started to develop an ear for music.
During the Great Depression, Dixon left town and worked various odd jobs such as loading freight and chopping wood. In spite of getting arrested once for hoboing in Clarksdale, Mississippi. However, it was during this time that he also started singing with the Union Jubilee Singers on a local radio program.
In the 1930s Willie sang with the quintet, the Union Jubilee Singers, on a WQBC radio program that was broadcast from the Vicksburg Hotel. He even began brokering his own songs to other performers on the show. Despite his love for music, Dixon initially pursued a career in boxing and moved to Chicago in 1936. But even as he trained for fights, he continued to write songs and play his homemade one-string bass.
It wasn’t long before Dixon’s talent as a musician caught the attention of others in Chicago’s thriving blues scene. In the 1950s and 1960s, Dixon cemented himself as a prominent figure in Chicago blues with hits like “Seventh Son,” “Little Red Rooster,” “Hoochie Coochie Man,” and “My Babe.”
Not only was he a song writer of iconic songs, but he also produced them and played bass on many recordings leaving an impact on the world of blues that cannot be overstated. His unique sound combined elements of traditional spirituals with modern influences such as jazz and gospel. Known to push boundaries he helped shape what is now known as Chicago blues.

He was often called “the poet laureate of the blues” defining the blues as “the facts of life.”
But beyond his musical contributions, Willie Dixon was also known for being a mentor to other musicians
and an advocate for artist rights. He fought against injustices within the music industry
and worked tirelessly to ensure that artists were fairly compensated for their work.

Willie Dixon became the studio mastermind behind many of the Chicago blues artists including:

Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Koko Taylor, and many others.
He played string bass on numerous sessions, with artists Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley and he produced the debut releases of Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, and Magic Sam.
Covers of his songs have been played by Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and others selling millions of copies. He toured and recorded several albums with his band, the Chicago Blues All Stars and he played a key role in promoting the blues in Europe in the 1960s.
In 1981, Dixon established the Blues Heaven Foundation to assist blues musicians and sponsor blues education programs.

Willie Dixon has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Blues Halls of Fame.
Vicksburg honored its native son by renaming this street Willie Dixon Way in 2002.

Map location for Willie Dixon in Vicksburg