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Sunflower River Blues and Gospel festival
By Big Dave

Big George BrockJust 1 hour south of Memphis lies a city so steeped in blues history, it draws musicians and blues fans from all over the world. This where you'll find the legendary 'Crossroads' of blues lore.
Clarkdale, Ms. is this musical mecca, where the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel festival, a free event, recently celebrated it's 19th year with this lineup -

Maximum Blues Band - From the Sunflower's Sister Festival in Quebec, Canada • Jimbo Mathus Knockdown South • Duwayne Burnside & the Mississippi Mafia • Latimore • Wesley Jefferson Southern Soul Band • David Lee Durham & the True Blues Band • Big T & the Family • Terry "Harmonica" Bean & Bill Abel Blues Band • Big George Brock & the Houserockers • Early Wright & Julius Guy Award Presentations • Sam Carr - Tribute and Award Presentation • Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks • Shardee Turner and the Rising Star Fife & Drum Band • The North Mississippi Allstars

Over 25,000 fans converged on this city to soak up a weekend of outstanding Blues and Gospel, making the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel festival one of the biggest annual events Clarksdale hosts. Big George was a Saturday headliner, and it was nice to see a St. Louis presence on the main stage. Over the past few years his career has really skyrocketed, thanks in part to the promotional efforts of Roger Stolle of Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art, Inc.

The Crossroads Legend
At the stroke of midnight, Robert Johnson walked down to the windswept crossroads at the junction of Highways 61 and 49 in Clarksdale, MS. Reciting an ancient incantation, he called upon Satan himself to rise from the fires of Hell. In exchange for Johnson's immortal soul, the devil tuned his guitar, thereby giving him the abilities which he so desired. From then on, the young bluesman played his instrument with an unearthly style, his fingers dancing over the strings. His voice moaned and wailed, expressing the deepest sorrows of a condemned sinner.
Cat Head is a 6-day-a-week store that features a full selection of blues CDs, videos, DVDs, books and collectibles as well as an affordable mix of Southern self-taught, folk and outsider art. "It's kind of like shopping in a juke joint," Roger said, describing the building's rustic interior, colorful artwork and down home music. "It's the kind of store we always dreamed of finding in our Delta travels but never did." Stop on in, where you'll probably find Roger and Jennifer Stolle at the counter - tell them STLBlues sent you!

There's so much to see and do around Clarksdale, it's hard to fit everything into one weekend! Other 'must-do' places to add to your list - a stop at the Delta Amusement cafe, touring the Delta Blues museum, Red's juke joint, Ground Zero blues club, the Riverside motel, the Hopson Plantation, and of course, the Crossroads! Make the
Sunflower River Blues and Gospel festival a 'must-do' on your fest travel schedule, you'll be glad you did!

Here's our photo gallery for your enjoyment, see you at Fest!


  • STLBlues on the road: Ground Zero Blues club
  • STLBlues on the road: Delta Blues Museum
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Downtown Clarksdale
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Clarksdale, Ms.
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Clarksdale, Ms.
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Street music
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Street music
  • STLBlues on the road: Big George Brock
  • STLBlues on the road: Big George Brock
  • STLBlues on the road: Big George Brock
  • STLBlues on the road: Big George Brock
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
  • STLBlues on the road: Sunflower River Blues and Gospel fest
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