Press release from the Sunflower River Blues and gospel Festival, August 2, 2010

PO MONKEY AND THE SUNFLOWER RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL

Helping spread the word about Clarksdale’s 23rd annual Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival kicking off Friday, Aug. 6, Willie Seaberry, better known as Po’ Monkey, takes a break from tractor driving to hang festival posters outside his famous county juke joint – Po Monkey’s Lounge near Merigold. Featuring three days of music with a main stage, two acoustic stages, and a gospel stage, the free festival is a tribute to Ike Turner and Rocket 88 musicians who recorded the first rock and roll record in 1951. A Mississippi Blues Trail marker honoring Ike Turner will be unveiled at 10 a.m. Friday in downtown Clarksdale.