CLARKSDALE – The Sunflower River Blues Festival’s tribute to Big Jack Johnson got an early start when Red Paden and Angenette Johnson hosted a birthday party for the Oilman Friday night, Aug. 1.

  
With news of the party spreading fast, Red’s Blues Club was packed with family, friends, and international visitors from Switzerland.

“Jack’s actual birthday was Wednesday, July 30, but we decided to wait til Friday because live music was booked,” says Johnson’s wife, Angenette.

Musical phenom Kingfish, the Space Cowboys, Anthony Sherrod, and Harvel Thomas threw down a  rocking show. At the break, birthday cake was served.

The official Big Jack Johnson festival tribute is scheduled August 8-9.

Outside Red’s Blues Club, Big Jack Johnson birthday planners include Red Paden, Angenette Johnson, and Ellis Coleman who are joined later by Anthony Sherrod and the birthday cake. 

Guitarist Anthony Sherrod is all smiles playing drums behind his former student, Kingfish, and the amazing 15-year-old delivers a performance worthy of Big Jack’s birthday celebration.