Market research will guide the lineup of performers slated to entertain the masses at the 46th Annual Delta Blues and Heritage Festival. The latest rendition of the oldest blues festival in the nation and the world is set for Saturday, September 16 at the Washington County Convention Center. As usual, Mississippi Action for Community Education (MACE) will oversee the event.
“Last year we did a survey, we went to social media and talked to some folks and two things that kind of came out to me were last year, we didn’t have enough traditional blues and our lineup was a little weak,” said for MACE CEO/consultant Howard Boutte. “So this year, we’re going to let the public judge whether we have adjusted to that.”
As Boutte read off names like Klay Redd, Sweet Angel, Mr. Sipp, John Horton, the legendary Bobby Rush, Johnny Taylor’s son, T.J. Hooker, OB Buchana and others, but the headliner for the event received the most buzz from the MACE board members, committee members and supporters gathered on Greenville City Hall steps on Monday, July 24.
“I’m not going to say who our headliner is,” Boutte said. “I guess the word has been getting around and we’ve been getting inundated with calls. So I'm gonna let the crowd say who our headliner is on three…one two three,” “King George!”
The festival will also feature expressions and interpretatios of the art from within the genre like traditional blues by Pat Thomas and boogie woogie blues by the Kattawar Brothers.
“I want to thank all our organizers who work day in and day out to put this festival on,” said Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons. “We’re very pleased that you get six days of entertainment, empowerment and education.”
The Blues Festival is connected to several other events throughout the week leading up to the performances which included the Greek sorority and fraternity gathering on Wednesday September 13 at Shelben Park, the Mayor’s Reception on Thursday September 14 at Harlow’s Casino Resort and Spa and the Nelson Street Festival on Saturday September 15.
“If you’re a vendor, we still have vendor spots available. If you want to buy an ad you can buy and RV spots are still available but they are going fast,” said MACE social media promoter Chauncey Wright. “But all I can do if you need a hotel room, is tell you to cross your fingers.” Admission for the festival is $40 and $50 after September 5. For more information, call (662) 335-3523 or visit www.deltablues.org or www.impacttickets.com.
