To The Roots

To The Roots the blues trail emerges from the freedom trail

The third day of the workshop happened to occur on June 19th. This date is often observed as ‘Juneteenth’ or ‘Freedom Day’ because, in 1865, it signified the emancipation of slaves in the last state in America. With this commemoration in mind, participants had the unique opportunity to visit sites that are significant to the Civil Rights Movement, including Fannie Lou Hamer's Memorial Garden. They also learned about the evolution of the Blues genre and how it has developed in tandem with the struggle for racial equality.

DOCKERY FARMS

Visible from the highway, vintage gas pumps and ancient Coke ads beckon visitors to Dockery Farms. Many recognize this former cotton manufacturing plant, whose storied past is preserved in its historical buildings, as "The Birthplace of the Blues."

Bill Lester, a former Delta State professor and executive director of the Dockery Farms Foundation served as a guide, teaching the history of the Farms and how Blues emerged from the cotton fields. He also explained the detailed stories behind the hundreds of artifacts that lined the property.

THE CROSSROADS

According to Blues legend, Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in order to master the guitar. There are many guesses as to which exact crossroads it was. Co-director Lee Aylward brought the participants through rural countryside to this dirt road where many believe the mysterious deal took place.

FANNIE LOU HAMER MEMORIAL GARDEN

This statue of Fannie Lou Hamer immortalizes her confidence, conviction and power. It stands as she lived: singing and orating a unshakeable vision of justice. On Juneteenth, the Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden held a solemn silence that commemorated the significance of the struggles of the Civil Rights era.

While many of the participants previously knew about Hamer or even taught about her in class, visiting her hometown and final resting place was a powerful experience that left some participants moved and even speechless.

B.B. KING MUSEUM

As one of the most prolific Blues artists, B.B. King has not only left a lasting impact on the United States and its music, but also on communities throughout the world. In fact, most of the participants were already familiar with King and knew many of his songs. Dr. Edgar Smith - an accomplished Blues advocate who established hundreds of signs that mark the Mississippi Blues Trail - joined the tour to provide a more comprehensive lesson about BB King’s legacy and a broader history of the evolution of Blues music.

Dr. Edgar Smith

Dr. Smith was accompanied by his wife of over sixty years. Decades ago, she worked to collect resources and supplies to support Fannie Lou Hamer's advocacy efforts and to aid the black community. On the bus, she read a letter that Fannie had addressed to her, thanking her for her work.

Afterwards, participants visited the B.B. King Museum. The Blues legend himself lies interred here, surrounded by the immortalized history of the genre he helped create.

Participants were moved to tears by the experience as, similar to the Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden, the museum held a subtle holiness and an immense significance.

PERFORMANCE BY DR. DAVID EVANS

Having spent the day exploring the parallel evolution of the Blues genre and the Civil Rights movement in the Delta area, the participants returned to Cleveland to listen to a performance by renowned Blues ethnomusicologist Dr. David Evans.

Dr. Evans's expansive knowledge about the Blues allowed him to tell detailed stories about several famous artists and the conditions they confronted decades ago. Playing his guitar and his harmonica, Dr. Evans also gave numerous samples of different Blues styles, explaining the nuances behind the music as he went.

ITALIANS IN THE DELTA

Participants attended a screening of a documentary created by a Delta State student detailing the history and experiences of Italian immigrants to the Mississippi Delta. Italians from the surrounding community also joined, sharing artifacts, memories and snacks. After the screening, some of these community members answered questions about the Italian community in the Delta and told family stories.

TAMALES AND REFLECTION

At the end of an eventful and emotional workshop day, the participants were given time to reflect on what they had learned over the course of their experience so far. As they did so, Lee served tamales - another famous Delta delicacy - with saltine crackers and ketchup.

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