Special thanks to the folks at Viking Range Corporation, the Viking Training Center and The Alluvian Hotel for supporting our efforts and providing a great place to meet. Thanks particularly to Martha Foose, Executive Chef at the Viking Cooking School, for making the wonderful treats, and Duff Dorrough for welcoming us with music. Finally, thanks to Carol Daily for helping organize the entire affair. Thanks.
Email announcements of the meeting were mailed to over 225 people. Twenty-eight people signed the attendance list.
The meeting began at 10am, and lasted almost two hours. Following the meeting, many stayed for lunch at Steve LaVere’s new restaurant, Veronica’s.
The meeting began with a special presentation by Fred Carl in his role as Chair of The Mississippi Blues Commission. The Commission is still awaiting at least one final appointment cannot elect officers or form all of its committees until all appointments have been announced. Despite this, the Commission has begun efforts in these areas:
· Establishing a Statewide Office of the Blues
· Continuing to develop a comprehensive registry of all Blues sites and activities
· Establishing a statewide Blues Trail
· Creating a Blues web site for the State
· Developing a Blues marketing plan
· Establishing a Blues artist booking bureau
· Establishing a Blues artist development and mentoring program
· Reconfiguring Florewood State Park to be an interpretive center for the Blues
· Exploring a Blues Benevolence Society
Fred Carl also introduced Peyton Prospere, the new Executive Director of The Mississippi Blues Commission, and identified Gary Gusick of the Ramey Agency as the point person developing the Blues marketing plan. Peyton Prospere spoke briefly about the fact that the Commission is unfunded and entirely dependant on volunteer efforts and donations, and asked for input from all members of the Association.
Carol Daily introduced Martha Foose, who described various Blues/Heritage related activities offered through Viking Range and the Viking Cooking School. These activities include:
· A Cooking to the Blues cooking class
· Dining in the Delta events
· Uptown Down-home events
· Catfish and country music evenings
These activities are discussed in a brochure that was handed out.
Amy Evans talked about recent heritage tourism events promoted by The Alluvian Hotel. These included this month’s Southern Foodways Alliance tour, which had several Blues related activities, and recent tours for Living Blues Magazine and the University of Mississippi Southern Writers Conference. She also reviewed the recent Tourism Training session held by The Alluvian. Information about that session is available at the bottom of our home page (www.blueshighway.org)
I informed the group that our proposal to the National Endowment for the Humanities was not funded, and briefly discussed the reason for denial. We will address these reasons and resubmit the proposal next year.
I reviewed the current situation regarding the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area, and particularly the recent visit to the Delta by Mr. Leland Speed, accompanied by Craig Ray and Alex Thomas (both of whom were in New Orleans meeting with the Delta Regional Authority about heritage tourism). It is encouraging to see the emphasis that our Tourism Authority is placing on heritage tourism.
Billy Johnson discussed Carol Marble’s announcement about the Indianola Regional Blues Challenge, to be held this November 6th. Steve Cheseborough announced another regional Blues Challenge, to be held in Rosedale on November 13th. Information about both events is available at www.blueshighway.org/bluesnews.htm.
We discussed Butch Ruth’s concerns about the lack of access to the grave of Tommy Johnson (attached). Everyone agreed that this is a serious issue that needs to be taken care of, and that the general issue of marking the grave sites of Bluesmen is something that our group needs to consider. We asked Peyton Prospere to take up the issue with the Blues Commission.
I announced that November 5th will be a special day for the Blues. The DSU Blues Band will open, followed by Big T and the Family, and then Mississippi Slim and John Horton’s Special Occasion Band. Between sets, Steve LaVere will announce this year’s inductees to The Mississippi Delta Blues Hall of Fame (the Peavine Awards). The event will be filmed for broadcast by Voice of America, which claims over 10 million viewers in China. Highway 61 Blues show will also record the event, as will The Delta Business Journal. All of these entities hope to interview participants and audience members about the state of the Blues in Mississippi, so please come and help promote the Blues. Airport Grocery, Cleveland, November 5th, 7:30 on. A $6 cover benefits the DSU Blues programs.
I mentioned that the thomas Brothers Blues in the Schools program has now been presented in almost a dozen high schools, with a total audience of over 5,000 students. The program has received very high praise, and will hopefully be a model for other projects. I also briefly described the “Heroes of the Mississippi Delta” coloring book that our DSU Heritage Lighthouse program has produced.
Joe Johnson talked about the Funk Brothers drumming duo and their desire to present educational programs. He also announced that The Eagle Academy in Mound Bayou will have a ribbon cutting celebration on October 26th at 11am.
Robert Moore described plans for The Crossroads of the Delta Scenic Byway, which will include Highways 82, 49 and 61. He also raised the important point that we should rely on our County Supervisors for political support, and that the Blues Commission should send representatives to Supervisors’ meetings to explain what the Commission is doing and listen to the Supervisor’s suggestions and concerns.
The meeting adjourned at noon.
Additional information is always available at www.blueshighway.org/bluesnews.htm