http://www.npr.org/2017/02/26/515756975/a-night-at-reds-juke-joint-in-the-mississippi-delta-is-a-true-blues-experience

Clarksdale’s celebrity blues club owner, Red Paden, right, is the center of attention Wednesday  at Red’s Blues Club for National Public Radio (NPR) broadcasters Elissa Nadworny, left, and Melissa Block in an interview to air on NPR in February. Veteran broadcasters from Washington D.C., whose names are familiar to NPR listeners, Nadworny and Block are … Read more

CLARKSDALE – Two former headliners and crowd favorites of the Sunflower River Blues Festival: Bobby Rush and William Bell won Grammy Awards at the 59th annual Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles Sunday. Rush, won Best Traditional Blues for “Porcupine Meat,” and Bell took Best Americana Album honors for “This is Where I Live.” Bobby Rush … Read more

Sunflower party features Southern Soul star Nathaniel Kimble Southern Soul star Nathaniel Kimble stages a high-energy show including his popular ‘You Make Me Happy’ recording for the Sunflower River Blues Association’s Christmas Blues Party Dec. 23. The party was staged in Clarksdale’s new downtown event venue at 270 Delta Avenue in a dramatic transformation from … Read more

Four dynamite musicians will be performing at an encore holiday blues party Friday, Dec. 23, according to festival co-chairs John Sherman and Melvita Tillis Presley.  On stage will be Josh “Razorblade” Stewart from 8 – 8:45 p.m; Super Chikan Johnson from 9 – 9:45 p.m.; Nathaniel Kimble from 10 – 10:45 p.m; and Anthony “Big A” … Read more

Congratulations to former Sunflower River Blues Festival headliners who have been nominated for 2017 Grammy Awards announced this week: Best Americana album: William Bell – “This is Where I Live” Best Traditional Blues Album: Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars) – “Blues & Ballads (A Folksingers Songbook) Volumes I and II” Bobby Rush – “Porcupine Meat” Vasti Jackson – “The Soul … Read more

Totally immersed in the Sunflower’s Thanksgiving Eve blues party at Ground Zero are young ‘Blues Brothers’ Brayden, 9, and Landon, 7, Hendrix of Memphis with their grandfather Patrick Kennedy who performs with Razorblade.  CLARKSDALE – Blues fans agree the Sunflower River Blues Association’s annual Thanksgiving Eve blues party at Ground Zero Blues Club was a … Read more

Annual Sunflower River Blues Fest preview set Nov. 23 at Ground Zero        CLARKSDALE – Six dynamic blues bands will be featured Thanksgiving Eve at Ground Zero in a musical extravaganza previewing the 30th anniversary of the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival in August 2017.   “Although this event has become a Thanksgiving tradition for many … Read more

Clarksdale Mayor Bill Luckett introduces Notodden, Norway Mayor Gry Fuglestvelt Blochlinger to the City Commission. Council Chamber and the gavel he frequently uses at official meetings. Clarksdale Mayor Bill Luckett and Notodden, Norway Mayor Gry Fuglestvelt Blochlinger (seated) renew the sister city relationship officially established in 1996. Pictured in the Norwegian delegation are (standing from … Read more

Completely surprised over winning the Early Wright Blues Heritage Award at the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival, Paul Wilson, owner of WROX Radio is eloquent in his acceptance speech before John Sherman, left, and Maie Smith, booking chairman; Melvita Tillis Presley, co-chairman, and Catherine Clark, treasurer.