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Thanksgiving Eve Fundraiser to Feature 4 Blues Bands

CLARKSDALE – Four blues bands are being booked for the Sunflower River Blues Association’s annual Thanksgiving Eve fund-raiser at Ground Zero Blues Club, according to festival co-chairmen John Sherman and Melville Tillis. “This is a fun evening for families and friends to get together during the holidays,” comments Sherman. “With a nominal cover charge, it’s … Read more

More than 25,000 attend Sunflower Fest

More than 25,000 attend Sunflower FestDiverse lineup creates a ‘roaring success’ appealing to broad audience    CLARKSDALE -The 19th annual Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival marches into history as a roaring success with an attendance count of 25,000 music fans, according to John Sherman and Melville Tillis, co-chairmen. Although a late Saturday afternoon rain shower … Read more

Allstars offer unique mix steeped in tradition

Allstars offer unique mix steeped in tradition Sunflower headliners promise to ‘do their thing’ CLARKSDALE – “We’re going to be doing our thing,” at the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival next weekend,” promises Luther Dickinson, chief of the North Mississippi Allstars headlining the Saturday night stage. “It may have a slightly different approach, but … Read more

Expect a steamy Latimore show plus a few surprises

Expect a steamy Latimore show plus a few surprisesBy Panny Flautt MayfieldCLARKSDALE – Forget weather forecasts; but count on steamy temperatures laced with a few philosophical surprises when Latimore returns to Clarksdales Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival Friday night, Aug. 11. Since 2004, music fans have been clamoring for a repeat of his performance … Read more

Global documentary to feature Sunflower Festival

Global documentary to feature Sunflower FestivalOscar nominee produces 13-episode film CLARKSDALE “On the Road in America,” a 13-episode reality/documentary being produced by Oscar-nominee Jerome Gary and award-winning director Mary Lambert promises global exposure for Clarksdale’s Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival Aug. 11-13. “This project is very exciting,” commented Lambert and producer April Garcia on … Read more

International Flavors Spice Sunflower Festival

CLARKSDALE A window on the international scope of Clarksdale’s Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival opens Friday, August 11, when six musicians from the Maximum Blues Festival of Quebec, Canada, introduce the Deep South to downhome blues with a French accent. “This is a very talented group from our North American sister blues festival; we’re … Read more

Artist Cristen Barnard creates a ‘masterpiece’ for the Sunflower

By Panny Flautt Mayfield, Festival Publicist CLARKSDALE – Although the roster of her signature blues designs is a who’s who of historic festivals and landmarks in Mississippi and Arkansas, artist Cristen Craven Barnard is adding a new masterpiece this summer for the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival. Commissioned by the Sunflower Blues Association to … Read more

Tamale mobile boosts Sunflower Fest

Clarksdale’s renowned tamale mobile manned by Oscar Orsby (center) opened his annual publicity campaign for the August Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival over the weekend in the New World District. Orsby, who has a reserved location on the corner of Yazoo and Martin Luther King Blvd. complete with electrical hookup, has been featured in … Read more

The 19th Sunflower Fest is Sam Carr’s Houseparty

CLARKSDALE – When Sam Carr throws a houseparty at the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival, blues fans can expect something special. For months, the legendary drummer and Jelly Roll King founder has appeared in advertisements inviting music fans to join Sam Carr and “friends” at Clarksdale’s 19th annual celebration August 11-13. “Our Sunflower members … Read more

Sunflower Festival returns to 3-day format

Sunflower Festival returns to 3-day format Dates are Aug. 11-13, 2006       CLARKSDALE – In 2006 the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival is returning to its original three-day format with the Gospel Festival scheduled for Sunday afternoon in the Civic Auditorium.    Dates for the 19th annual celebration are Aug. 11,12, and 13, 2006. “Our Blues … Read more