Friday April 10, 2026

Monkeys Riding Dogs

Located at: JOHN LEE HOOKER LANE

Our greatest attraction will be with us for 2 days in 2025, Friday & Saturday

Led by professional rodeo cowboy Tim “WILD THANG” Lepard,Team Ghost Riders is a group of sheep dogs and monkeys, who team together to provide one of the most entertaining traveling acts you will ever see.

"The animals are like family and require 24/7 care to ensure their well-being. When I see the crowd smiling and hear the laughter, it makes all the hard work worthwhile.(Tim)"

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10:45 am

12:45 pm

3:45 pm

5:15 pm

JJF EVENTS

10:00 am

JUKE JOINT FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE SALES

T-shirts, hats and other cool festival merchandise. 10 am until 5:30 pm

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Where: Juke Joint Festival Headquarters - 243 Delta Avenue

The official Juke Joint Festival Headquarters is conveniently located at 243 Delta Avenue in downtown Clarksdale (basically across the street from Nellie Mays).

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10:00 am

Juke Joint Festival Pre-Sale PayPal Wristbands Pick-Up

UNDER THE RED TENT - Delta Avenue Park / 243 Delta Ave. Thursday 11 am - 6 pm | Friday 10 am - 5:30 pm | Saturday 10 am - 8 pm JJFestival Sat-night Wristband valid Sat., April 11th ONLY.

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10:00 am

Where: Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art

FREE sidewalk performances! Please tip your musicians, y'all

http://www.cathead.biz

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Who: Randy '19th Street Red' Cohen

Hi. I'm Randy "19th Street Red" Cohen. I play The Blues. The Mississippi Delta Blues is My specialty. T-Bone Walker was my First inspiration.

https://www.facebook.com/people/Randy-19th-Street-Red-Cohen/100064230600381/

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10:00 am

JJF SAT-NIGHT WRISTBAND PRE-SALES

Buy Friday, April 10th: $60 each, while quantities last. The JJF wristband is valid for 20+ official JJF venues on Saturday night ONLY. More details on Wristband page. Note: WEBSITE PRE-SALE Wristband pick-up location is 243 Delta Ave/Delta Avenue Park, UNDER THE RED TENT. Bring your PayPal/CC email receipt and photo ID: Thursday 4/10 (11am-6pm), Friday 4/11/ (10am-5:30pm) and Saturday 4/12 (10am-8pm). After 8pm Saturday, wristbands move to Ground Zero Blues Club (0 Blues Alley) for pick up. If not sold-out, remaining Saturday NIGHTTIME wristband sales available Saturday night at Ground Zero Blues Club and Hopson Commissary only.

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10:45 am

JJFEST MONKEYS RIDING DOGS

FREE! First of four shows... a must see! Pontotoc, Mississippi's own Tim Lepard and his team entertain all with... YES... Monkeys Riding Dogs Herding Sheep aka The Ghost Riders. Plan a field trip, bring a group and enjoy the show. Sponsored by Southern Bancorp. Co-sponsored by Westgate Drugs and Jane & Jim Wilbourn.

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11:30 am

Sean "Bad" Apple

Free live blues!

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Where: Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art

FREE sidewalk performances! Please tip your musicians, y'all

http://www.cathead.biz

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Who: Sean 'Bad' Apple

Baptized in the fire water of Clarksdale, MS., Sean “Bad” Apple began his spiritual journey of learning the blues by seeking out the old blues musicians that were willing to share their years of knowledge. Sean is working hard to keep Hill Country Blues alive and well. People are always in for a good show and never leave disappointed when the Bad Apple is on the stage

http://seanbadapple.com

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12:45 pm

JJFEST MONKEYS RIDING DOGS

FREE! Second of four shows... a must see! Pontotoc, Mississippi's own Tim Lepard and his team entertain all with... YES... Monkeys Riding Dogs Herding Sheep aka The Ghost Riders. Plan a field trip, bring a group and enjoy the show. Sponsored by Southern Bancorp. Co-sponsored by Westgate Drugs and Jane & Jim Wilbourn.

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1:00 pm

Blues Panel Discussion #1

Moderator Clay Motley gets blues musicians Kenny Brown, Terry "Harmonica" Bean and Lucious Spiller talking about their own personal histories, the state of blues music and more.

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Where: Meraki Roasting Company

Meraki Roasting Company - Freshly Roasted Artisan Coffee roasted in house supporting our youth entrepreneurship program. Come visit our roastery to try our current coffee profiles. Pastries made by local vendors. www.merakiroasting.com www.griotarts.com
www.merakiroasting.com www.griotarts.com
282 Sunflower Ave Meraki Hours: Monday-Sunday (every day!) 7am to 2 pm

http://www.griotarts.com/meraki

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2:30 pm

Ghalia Volt

Free live blues!

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Where: Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art

FREE sidewalk performances! Please tip your musicians, y'all

http://www.cathead.biz

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Who: Ghalia Volt

Ghalia Volt is a force of nature who comes to Juke Joint Festival from New Orleans but originally hails from Belgium, where the blues bug bit early. After multiple visits to Mississippi and the American South in search of real-deal blues and roots musics, she moved here to join the scene. This year, she'll be featured as her amazing one-woman-blues-band. Be sure to ask about her latest CD and LP releases after her shows!

https://ghaliavolt.com

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3:00 pm

Blues Panel Discussion #2

Moderator Clay Motley gets blues musicians John Primer, Anthony "Big A" Sherrod and Harrell "Young Rell" Davenport, talking about their own personal histories, the state of blues music and more.

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Where: Meraki Roasting Company

Meraki Roasting Company - Freshly Roasted Artisan Coffee roasted in house supporting our youth entrepreneurship program. Come visit our roastery to try our current coffee profiles. Pastries made by local vendors. www.merakiroasting.com www.griotarts.com
www.merakiroasting.com www.griotarts.com
282 Sunflower Ave Meraki Hours: Monday-Sunday (every day!) 7am to 2 pm

http://www.griotarts.com/meraki

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3:45 pm

JJFEST MONKEYS RIDING DOGS

FREE! Third of four shows... a must see! Pontotoc, Mississippi's own Tim Lepard and his team entertain all with... YES... Monkeys Riding Dogs Herding Sheep aka The Ghost Riders. Plan a field trip, bring a group and enjoy the show. Sponsored by Southern Bancorp. Co-sponsored by Westgate Drugs and Jane & Jim Wilbourn.

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3:45 pm

Kenny Brown

Free live blues!

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Where: Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art

FREE sidewalk performances! Please tip your musicians, y'all

http://www.cathead.biz

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Who: Kenny Brown

KENNY BROWN IS AN AMERICAN BLUES SLIDE GUITARIST SKILLED IN THE NORTH MISSISSIPPI HILL COUNTRY BLUES STYLE. He began hearing Otha Turner, Napolean Strickland and others who played at picnics across the road from his home at 7 years old. Brown apprenticed with Mississippi Joe Callicott, who moved in next door to his home in Nesbit, Mississippi, from age 12 to 15, when Callicott died. Around 1971 Brown began playing with two other musicians. Johnny Woods would make an occasional playing partner until his death in 1990. More steady was Brown's learning with R. L. Burnside, who claimed Brown as his “adopted son,” In the early seventies they started to perform in their region, and would keep up as a duo for thirty years sometimes joined with Calvin Jackson on drums. Cedric Burnside joined their tours from about 1994, as Burnside's reputation surged in the 1990s and early 2000s. Brown first appeared abroad in Sweden in 1989.

https://www.kennybrownmusic.com/

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5:00 pm

JUKE JOINT FESTIVAL PARADE

Join us as we celebrate all that is good in the Mississippi Delta! We will begin/end at Visit Clarksdale (326 Blues Alley), journey through downtown Clarksdale. We hope you will plan to be apart of this new adventure of promoting what is GOOD in Clarksdale. Get a float going, play a musical instrument, dress a part and celebrate spring and our festival! Our 2026 Juke Joint Bride and Groom TBA will lead our parade followed by the Juke Joint King and Queen (TBA), Juke Joint Baby girl is Taylor Weathers Ellis and Juke Joint Baby boy (TBA) Look forward to celebrating ya'll! Sponsored by Mid-South Waste.

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5:15 pm

JJFEST MONKEYS RIDING DOGS

FREE! FINAL SHOW... a must see! Pontotoc, Mississippi's own Tim Lepard and his team entertain all with... YES... Monkeys Riding Dogs Herding Sheep aka The Ghost Riders. Plan a field trip, bring a group and enjoy the show. Sponsored by Southern Bancorp. Co-sponsored by Westgate Drugs and Jane & Jim Wilbourn.

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6:00 pm

Free THACKER MOUNTAIN RADIO show!

Thacker Mountain Radio music/variety show returns to JJF with another stellar lineup featuring author Ralph Eubanks ('When It's Darkness on the Delta') plus soulful live blues by 92-year-old Grammy-winner Bobby Rush and up-and-comer Twurt Chamberlain. Hosted by Jim Dees and the Yalobushwahckers house band! Broadcasts later on statewide radio in MS and AL plus parts of TN (and even Taos, NM)!

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Where: Red Panther Brewing Co. Stage (in street)

NEW FOR JJF 2025! Three days of special events on the new street stage outside the new Red Panther Brewing Co.

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RELATED MUSIC

(Cover may apply.)

9:45 am

Cash’s Juke Joint

Angel "Cash" Ocasio, Jr., a prominent figure in Macon's music scene, leads Cash's Juke Joint, a powerhouse band delivering soul-stirring music. Rooted in Blues, Sacred Steel, Soul, Funk, and Rock, their groovy fusion captivates audiences. Hailing from Macon, GA, the band, comprised of seasoned musicians, boasts a rich history playing diverse venues. Cash's Juke Joint has shared stages with icons like Patti LaBelle, Jill Scott and The Legendary Wailers, showcasing their raw and uncut sound. Known for getting straight to the nitty-gritty, experiencing the dynamic vibes of Cash's Juke Joint live is a must for music enthusiasts.

http://cashsjukejoint.com

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Where: Meraki Roasting Company

Meraki Roasting Company - Freshly Roasted Artisan Coffee roasted in house supporting our youth entrepreneurship program. Come visit our roastery to try our current coffee profiles. Pastries made by local vendors. www.merakiroasting.com www.griotarts.com
www.merakiroasting.com www.griotarts.com
282 Sunflower Ave Meraki Hours: Monday-Sunday (every day!) 7am to 2 pm

http://www.griotarts.com/meraki

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11:00 am

Lala Craig

Laura "Lala" Craig is a female blues artist whose rollicking path to the Delta landed her at the Crossroads of her passions for love and music, fulfilling her dream to become an entertainer and share her harmony with partner, Dino Musso.

https://lalacraig.com

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Where: Ground Zero Blues Club

HEY Y'ALL! "Yes," Ground Zero Blues Club (which was temporarily closed this winter) is reopening in late March—just in time for the best Juke Joint Festival ever!! GROUND ZERO BLUES CLUB: Clarksdale's largest real-deal blues music venue offers "live" Mississippi blues music every Wednesday to Saturday... plus special events during festival time periods. Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, Bill Luckett, Howard Stovall and Eric Meier, Ground Zero Blues Club will celebrate its 5th anniversary in May 2006. Besides the plethora of incredible local blues acts who have performed there, musicians from Mavis Staples and Alvin Youngblood Hart to Jerry Lee Lewis and Bobby Rush have been filmed playing there.

http://www.groundzerobluesclub.com

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11:30 am

R.L. Superbad

RL SUPERBAD (AKA: Robin Lane ) is a Primitive, Experimental Mississippi Blues Man, based from the North Missisippi Hill Country Blues genre with a mixture of Delta, Chicago, Rock, String Band....which equals Alien KonTraFusion. He is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, song writer/story teller, One Man Band and instrument builder (Low N Slow Creations). Born early 60s August 2 in Topeka, KS. With no musical background from family or friends, RL didn't begin playing until 2009, a year after coming to Clarksdale, MS for a weekend in early 2008. There he heard and met Robert "Wolfman" Belfour who introduced him to North Mississippi Hill Country Blues, which changed his life forever. That same night he met Terry Harmonica Bean and Sean "Bad" Apple, both of whom frequently played in Clarksdale juke joints. RL worked with his good friend Tater on the latter's CD titled "SUPERBAD", which was released 11/20/10. Unfortunately, Tater had passed at 63 years old on 9/10/10. To get him a Sidewalk Plaque, RL raised funds by hosting Tater's Memorial Birthday Bash at Club 2000, as well as Jams at Cat Head, Juke Joint Festival and other downtown venues. In 2011 RL played his first JJF and since has played at Sunflower Blues Festival, King Biscuit Blues Fest, Deep Blues Fest, Memphis in May, KnobFest, Huntsville Cigar Box Guitar Fest, Clarksdale Cigar Box Guitar Fest, Nashville Cigar Box Guitar Festival , Ozark Cigar Box Guitar Festival, Buddy Guy's in Chicago, and all over the streets of Clarksdale. Having shared the stage with Robert Belfour, T Model Ford, Sean Apple and Big Boy Martin Grant, Mr. Tater, Liz Mandeville, Bill Abel, Maurice Vaughan, John Long, Reverend Robert, SpoonMan, Ray Cashman, Watermelon Slim, Deak Harp, Rhode Island Red, Reverend KM Williams and various others, RL is currently playing with Mason Stevens (AKA Mason JARrr Stevens) as a duo.

https://artistecard.com/RLSUPERBADANDKonTraFusion

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Where: Collective Seed & Supply Co.

Collective Seed & Supply Co.--Clarksdale's only independent garden center & general store.

https://www.facebook.com/collectiveseedandsupplyco/

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12:00 pm

Dr. B's Open Mic

Noon to 6PM Dr. B's open mic.

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Where: The Blue Room

Downtown Clarksdale's new music listening room, run by Dr B!

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12:00 pm

JB and Jesse Haggard

3 to 3:45 PM

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Where: Deak Harp Harmonica Shop

13 Third Street. Harmonica students playing.

http://www.deakharp.com

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12:00 pm

Batterton and Edwards

For nearly two decades, Batterton and Edwards have crafted a unique sound that marries the raw authenticity of Ozark mountain music with the soulful depth of Delta blues. Their music emerges from the natural confluence of Arkansas traditions — where banjo meets slide guitar, where mountain hollers blend with field songs, where front porch picking sessions flow into juke joint rhythms. Multi-instrumentalists and seasoned vocalists, they transform traditional country blues through their deep understanding of both high country and lowland sounds. Every performance carries the dust of Delta crossroads and the mist of mountain mornings

http://www.battertonandedwards.com

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Where: Ground Zero Blues Club

HEY Y'ALL! "Yes," Ground Zero Blues Club (which was temporarily closed this winter) is reopening in late March—just in time for the best Juke Joint Festival ever!! GROUND ZERO BLUES CLUB: Clarksdale's largest real-deal blues music venue offers "live" Mississippi blues music every Wednesday to Saturday... plus special events during festival time periods. Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, Bill Luckett, Howard Stovall and Eric Meier, Ground Zero Blues Club will celebrate its 5th anniversary in May 2006. Besides the plethora of incredible local blues acts who have performed there, musicians from Mavis Staples and Alvin Youngblood Hart to Jerry Lee Lewis and Bobby Rush have been filmed playing there.

http://www.groundzerobluesclub.com

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1:00 pm

Theo "Boogieman" Dasbach & Holly Harris

Piano boogieman — originally from The Netherlands. Former owner of the Rock & Blues Museum in Clarksdale. Also ask about his musical "splash art."

https://theodasbach.com/

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Where: Ooze Bar

The new Ooze Bar (in former Rock & Blues Museum location next to Hambone) is the new blues bar/toy museum inspiration of The Mojo Hands leader Chris Mullens!

https://www.instagram.com/themojohands/?hl=en

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1:00 pm

Ramblin' Dan Stevens

Ramblin’ Dan Stevens is an acoustic blues stylist, bottleneck slide player and protege of New York City's folk legend Dave Van Ronk. His music has been described as "Houserockin' fingerstyle blues emanating from the depths of the delta and careening through the New York centered folk/blues revival to the present. Spirit, presence and originality married to a reverence for authenticity of style." Long a relentlessly touring solo artist covering the Eastern US, Virgin Islands, UK and Germany, Dan performs a diverse selection of upbeat acoustic and electric blues, originals and roots music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLzuE4-i1mY

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Where: Hambone Art & Music

PLEASE NOTE: Saturday night (April 12, 2025), IF Juke Joint Festival Sat-night Wristbands are NOT sold-out, then limited quantities will be available for purchase only at the 243 Delta Ave JJF HQ building (only till 8:30pm) AND Ground Zero Blues Club, Hambone Gallery and Hopson Commissary (if/while supplies last). Entry to any/all 20+ JJF Sat-night venues requires a festival wristband. No exceptions. Details on Wristband webpage or in program booklet. HAMBONE: "Hambone Art Gallery" and bar, Artwork by Stan Street , is located at 111 East Second St.,between Madidi's and Theo's Rock and Roll Museum . Formerly Conerly shoes [ co- owned by Charlie Conerly, quarterback of the New York Giants and Old Miss.] Before that, the building was the old Delta theatre. Owners Stan and Dixie Street moved to Clarksdale from So. Florida. Both blues musicians, they were drawn here by the city's historical roots. Stan is a poster designer for many roots and blues festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Artwork is mostly musical, but the Gallery also has landscapes from the Delta, Abstracts, and ecclectic Found Object pieces.

http://www.stanstreet.com

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1:00 pm

Will Coppage

Will Coppage is a Mississippi-born songwriter and performer whose indie-blues sound fuses Delta roots with a modern edge. A touring artist across the U.S. and Europe, Coppage previously performed alongside blues legacy Stud Ford. His music moves from country blues and flatpicking fire to beats that blur the line between juke joint and indie stage, driven by cinematic, poetic songwriting. It’s Loud Roots, Indie Grit, and Delta Swagger—a raw and real sound born of Mississippi dust and modern drive.

https://www.williamluskcoppage.com

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Where: Tiny Barbershop Show - Marty's Barbershop

A classic Barbershop in downtown Clarksdale, Ms. Founded by Marty Eubank, the town Barber of over 50 years. The tradition is now carried on by Bear Ryan. Bear is a classically trained Barber specializing in men’s grooming - scissor cuts, clipper cuts, and beard maintenance. Bear is a musician. Hours vary as a result. The shop is generally always open Tues, Weds, Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays can vary. Hours are posted to the website - weekly - on Sundays .

https://www.bearthebarber.com/

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1:00 pm

Rev. Robert

Reverend Robert is known for his genuine conviction and honest delivery. His passion for the blues led him to the prewar blues style of Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, and other delta blues giants. Having immersed himself in their recordings, Reverend Robert emerged with an authentic feeling for the blues that is matched by his easy-going and artistic personality. Reverend Robert’s tasteful slide guitar playing garnered the attention of the National Slide Guitar Festival in North Carolina where he took first place in their competition in 2004. He has entertained audiences throughout the United States, Canada, the U.K., Europe, and India. In the past two decades he has developed his one-man blues show to incorporate the influences of jazz, ragtime, and swing, as well as Caribbean, Hawaiian, African and Indian music. The perfect combination of tradition and creative innovation, the Reverend’s music is at home on festival stages or in the street, in clubs or in the backyard. Its dance music played with a stomping beat and irresistible groove.

https://www.revrobert.com/

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Where: Ground Zero Blues Club

HEY Y'ALL! "Yes," Ground Zero Blues Club (which was temporarily closed this winter) is reopening in late March—just in time for the best Juke Joint Festival ever!! GROUND ZERO BLUES CLUB: Clarksdale's largest real-deal blues music venue offers "live" Mississippi blues music every Wednesday to Saturday... plus special events during festival time periods. Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, Bill Luckett, Howard Stovall and Eric Meier, Ground Zero Blues Club will celebrate its 5th anniversary in May 2006. Besides the plethora of incredible local blues acts who have performed there, musicians from Mavis Staples and Alvin Youngblood Hart to Jerry Lee Lewis and Bobby Rush have been filmed playing there.

http://www.groundzerobluesclub.com

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1:45 pm

Young Rell Davenport

Deak’s Harmonica shop

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Where: Deak Harp Harmonica Shop

13 Third Street. Harmonica students playing.

http://www.deakharp.com

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2:00 pm

Ryan Lee Crosby Trio

Ryan Lee Crosby (12 string + vocal), Grant Smith (calabash) and Jay Scheffler (harmonica). Ryan Lee Crosby lives in Rhode Island, but his musical heart is in Mississippi. He has released numerous albums, toured internationally and is a devoted practitioner of the Bentonia Blues tradition. Smithsonian Magazine called him "a young torchbearer" of the style and praised his ability to "bring influences from Africa and India to the Bentonia sound." Crosby's new album "At the Blue Front" (featuring legend Jimmy “Duck” Holmes) offers a hypnotic meld of Bentonia and Hill Country blues. Recorded on tape at Holmes’ iconic juke joint, the album was produced by Crosby, with a selection of original and traditional repertoire.

https://ryanleecrosby.com/press-kit

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Where: Travelers Hotel

Brand-new hotel in an old renovate brick building in the center of historic downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi. Cool lobby bar lounge.

http://www.statyattravelers.com

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2:00 pm

Where: Deak Harp Harmonica Shop

13 Third Street. Harmonica students playing.

http://www.deakharp.com

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2:00 pm

Ray Cashman

Ray Cashman is a Mississippi singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose gritty, blues-driven sound has carried him across stages throughout the United States and Europe. For over 20 years, he has toured USA and Europe annually, earning a loyal following with his powerful voice, raw guitar style, and storytelling through song. Performing mostly original material, Cashman’s music blends traditional blues roots with a modern edge, creating songs that are both timeless and deeply personal. His catalog includes several acclaimed albums, and his work has been featured in television and motion pictures, further cementing his reputation as an authentic voice in American roots music.

http://www.raycashman.net

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Where: Hambone Art & Music

PLEASE NOTE: Saturday night (April 12, 2025), IF Juke Joint Festival Sat-night Wristbands are NOT sold-out, then limited quantities will be available for purchase only at the 243 Delta Ave JJF HQ building (only till 8:30pm) AND Ground Zero Blues Club, Hambone Gallery and Hopson Commissary (if/while supplies last). Entry to any/all 20+ JJF Sat-night venues requires a festival wristband. No exceptions. Details on Wristband webpage or in program booklet. HAMBONE: "Hambone Art Gallery" and bar, Artwork by Stan Street , is located at 111 East Second St.,between Madidi's and Theo's Rock and Roll Museum . Formerly Conerly shoes [ co- owned by Charlie Conerly, quarterback of the New York Giants and Old Miss.] Before that, the building was the old Delta theatre. Owners Stan and Dixie Street moved to Clarksdale from So. Florida. Both blues musicians, they were drawn here by the city's historical roots. Stan is a poster designer for many roots and blues festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Artwork is mostly musical, but the Gallery also has landscapes from the Delta, Abstracts, and ecclectic Found Object pieces.

http://www.stanstreet.com

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2:00 pm

Cricket

Born and raised in Clarksdale, MS. Cricket began playing piano at age five and developed into a skilled blues pianist and singer. She has recorded and performed with blues legends such as Sam Carr, Robert "Bilbo" Walker, and Chicago's Dave Riley. Her performance history includes appearances at notable venues like Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero, Bluesberry, Hambones Art gallery, Red's, B. B. King's Club Ebony in Indianola, MS, The Hostil, Oxford Blues Festival, Big Steam Blues Festival Hot Springs, AR., the King Biscuit Festival, Helena, AR., Sunflower Blues Festival, and many more. She performed at Clarkdale's Juke Joint Festival, April, 2025, both daytime and evening slots and had a special guest appearance on "Rock on Radio, calling in live from Clarksdale to share her music and experiences.

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Where: Ground Zero Blues Club

HEY Y'ALL! "Yes," Ground Zero Blues Club (which was temporarily closed this winter) is reopening in late March—just in time for the best Juke Joint Festival ever!! GROUND ZERO BLUES CLUB: Clarksdale's largest real-deal blues music venue offers "live" Mississippi blues music every Wednesday to Saturday... plus special events during festival time periods. Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, Bill Luckett, Howard Stovall and Eric Meier, Ground Zero Blues Club will celebrate its 5th anniversary in May 2006. Besides the plethora of incredible local blues acts who have performed there, musicians from Mavis Staples and Alvin Youngblood Hart to Jerry Lee Lewis and Bobby Rush have been filmed playing there.

http://www.groundzerobluesclub.com

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2:30 pm

Ramblin' Dan Stevens

Ramblin’ Dan Stevens is an acoustic blues stylist, bottleneck slide player and protege of New York City's folk legend Dave Van Ronk. His music has been described as "Houserockin' fingerstyle blues emanating from the depths of the delta and careening through the New York centered folk/blues revival to the present. Spirit, presence and originality married to a reverence for authenticity of style." Long a relentlessly touring solo artist covering the Eastern US, Virgin Islands, UK and Germany, Dan performs a diverse selection of upbeat acoustic and electric blues, originals and roots music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLzuE4-i1mY

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Where: Tiny Barbershop Show - Marty's Barbershop

A classic Barbershop in downtown Clarksdale, Ms. Founded by Marty Eubank, the town Barber of over 50 years. The tradition is now carried on by Bear Ryan. Bear is a classically trained Barber specializing in men’s grooming - scissor cuts, clipper cuts, and beard maintenance. Bear is a musician. Hours vary as a result. The shop is generally always open Tues, Weds, Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays can vary. Hours are posted to the website - weekly - on Sundays .

https://www.bearthebarber.com/

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3:00 pm

Sean 'Bad' Apple

Baptized in the fire water of Clarksdale, MS., Sean “Bad” Apple began his spiritual journey of learning the blues by seeking out the old blues musicians that were willing to share their years of knowledge. Sean is working hard to keep Hill Country Blues alive and well. People are always in for a good show and never leave disappointed when the Bad Apple is on the stage

http://seanbadapple.com

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Where: Bad Apple Blues Club

Formerly "Club 2000" juke joint, the Bad Apple Blues Club is the blues venue run by Sean "Bad" Apple!

http://thefrontlinemusic.com/tag/club-2000/

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3:00 pm

Bill Abel

Bill Abel learned first hand from Delta blues legends of the likes of Paul “Wine" Jones, Cadillac John Nolden, T Model Ford, and Honey Boy Edwards. Bill plays a hard driving electrified country blues, a gritty unorthodox modern day juke joint sound, unique in its own. He has toured Europe and the United States headlining many festivals.

http://billabel.com

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Where: Deak Harp Harmonica Shop

13 Third Street. Harmonica students playing.

http://www.deakharp.com

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3:00 pm

Delta by the Beach

New and classic blues brought to you from Ventura, California by Delta by the Beach. This lively quartet brings jumping blues, funky-swamp sounds and exhilarating dance grooves to the party. “Our feet are on the beach but our hearts are in Mississippi ”

http://www.deltabythebeach.com

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Where: Ground Zero Blues Club

HEY Y'ALL! "Yes," Ground Zero Blues Club (which was temporarily closed this winter) is reopening in late March—just in time for the best Juke Joint Festival ever!! GROUND ZERO BLUES CLUB: Clarksdale's largest real-deal blues music venue offers "live" Mississippi blues music every Wednesday to Saturday... plus special events during festival time periods. Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, Bill Luckett, Howard Stovall and Eric Meier, Ground Zero Blues Club will celebrate its 5th anniversary in May 2006. Besides the plethora of incredible local blues acts who have performed there, musicians from Mavis Staples and Alvin Youngblood Hart to Jerry Lee Lewis and Bobby Rush have been filmed playing there.

http://www.groundzerobluesclub.com

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3:00 pm

Joe Austin & The Tallahatchies

Born and raised in Pontotoc, Mississippi, just a stone’s throw from the Mississippi Delta, Joe Austin was immersed in American music at an early age. His childhood was filled with blues, gospel harmonies in church and “front porch pickin’” amongst gatherings of family and friends. His grandfather was a finger style guitar player on his off time from being one of the first crop duster pilots in the state. Growing up, Joe was mesmerized watching his grandad play and learned to sing along. His grandad passed away and left his guitar to Joe. That’s when he learned to play guitar like he’d always wanted to. A few years later he also learned fiddle and really began to find his niche. After high school, he attended college on a music scholarship and played in a country music ensemble. After college, he played professionally based out of Nashville and Memphis. However, the Texas music scene had always appealed to him. In November 2014 he got the opportunity to move to north Texas where he produced a record on singer songwriter Tom McElvain titled “Redemption”.

https://www.joeaustinandthetallahatchies.com/

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3:00 pm

Lou Shields

Lou Shields armed with his 1931 National Resonator and his 1930s archtop guitars captivates his audiences with his unique front porch style. A prolific songwriter, Lou performs original songs inspired by Country Blues, Delta Blues and American Roots. Lou is a must see.

https://www.loushieldsart.com

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Where: Travelers Hotel

Brand-new hotel in an old renovate brick building in the center of historic downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi. Cool lobby bar lounge.

http://www.statyattravelers.com

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3:00 pm

Crawfish Boll and Live Music

Crawfish Boil with Joe Austin & The Tallahatchies Hopson Courtyard 10 Commissary Circle

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3:30 pm

Duwayne Burnside

Duwayne has been immersed in music since birth, as the sound of his father and friends’ playing regularly filled the Burnside household. At 12, he began to play drums, occasionally supporting R.L. and performing in the bands at Junior Kimbrough’s juke joint in the fields outside of Holly Springs. By age 14, he’d switched to guitar and became a member of his father’s band just in time for the recording of Sound Machine Groove. At 15, he moved to Memphis to make his own way in the dynamic and vital blues scene that sprawls from the Bluff City to Mississippi’s hills and Delta. He ricocheted between Memphis and the Holly Springs area in subsequent decades, settling in his hometown once again in the early 2000s. Duwayne has also supplemented his career as a guitarist, singer, and bassist by operating a series of juke joints in Memphis, Chulahoma, and Holly Springs. Just this spring he opened the latest: the Burnside Bar and Grill at 645 North Highway 7 in Holly Springs.

https://www.facebook.com/duwayneburnsidemusic/

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4:00 pm

Where: Ground Zero Blues Club

HEY Y'ALL! "Yes," Ground Zero Blues Club (which was temporarily closed this winter) is reopening in late March—just in time for the best Juke Joint Festival ever!! GROUND ZERO BLUES CLUB: Clarksdale's largest real-deal blues music venue offers "live" Mississippi blues music every Wednesday to Saturday... plus special events during festival time periods. Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, Bill Luckett, Howard Stovall and Eric Meier, Ground Zero Blues Club will celebrate its 5th anniversary in May 2006. Besides the plethora of incredible local blues acts who have performed there, musicians from Mavis Staples and Alvin Youngblood Hart to Jerry Lee Lewis and Bobby Rush have been filmed playing there.

http://www.groundzerobluesclub.com

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4:00 pm

Deak Harp and Quicksand

Deak’s Harmonica shop

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Where: Deak Harp Harmonica Shop

13 Third Street. Harmonica students playing.

http://www.deakharp.com

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4:00 pm

Ray Cashman

Ray Cashman is a Mississippi singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose gritty, blues-driven sound has carried him across stages throughout the United States and Europe. For over 20 years, he has toured USA and Europe annually, earning a loyal following with his powerful voice, raw guitar style, and storytelling through song. Performing mostly original material, Cashman’s music blends traditional blues roots with a modern edge, creating songs that are both timeless and deeply personal. His catalog includes several acclaimed albums, and his work has been featured in television and motion pictures, further cementing his reputation as an authentic voice in American roots music.

http://www.raycashman.net

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Where: Tiny Barbershop Show - Marty's Barbershop

A classic Barbershop in downtown Clarksdale, Ms. Founded by Marty Eubank, the town Barber of over 50 years. The tradition is now carried on by Bear Ryan. Bear is a classically trained Barber specializing in men’s grooming - scissor cuts, clipper cuts, and beard maintenance. Bear is a musician. Hours vary as a result. The shop is generally always open Tues, Weds, Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays can vary. Hours are posted to the website - weekly - on Sundays .

https://www.bearthebarber.com/

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4:00 pm

Billy Jeter and Billy Jeter Band

Singer and Songwriter of Delta Blues/Delta Roots and Contemporary Folk. 2025 Arkansas Americana nominee. Sixth album Delta Traces is currently charted at number 3 on the Roots Contemporary folk chart. It is over a year old and spent several months as number one. Currently recording my seventh album. Delta Traces has grabbed international play and also features fellow former Jefferson County Arkansas artist Bobby Rush on the single Hambone Stomp.

http://www.billyjeter.com

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Where: Hambone Art & Music

PLEASE NOTE: Saturday night (April 12, 2025), IF Juke Joint Festival Sat-night Wristbands are NOT sold-out, then limited quantities will be available for purchase only at the 243 Delta Ave JJF HQ building (only till 8:30pm) AND Ground Zero Blues Club, Hambone Gallery and Hopson Commissary (if/while supplies last). Entry to any/all 20+ JJF Sat-night venues requires a festival wristband. No exceptions. Details on Wristband webpage or in program booklet. HAMBONE: "Hambone Art Gallery" and bar, Artwork by Stan Street , is located at 111 East Second St.,between Madidi's and Theo's Rock and Roll Museum . Formerly Conerly shoes [ co- owned by Charlie Conerly, quarterback of the New York Giants and Old Miss.] Before that, the building was the old Delta theatre. Owners Stan and Dixie Street moved to Clarksdale from So. Florida. Both blues musicians, they were drawn here by the city's historical roots. Stan is a poster designer for many roots and blues festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Artwork is mostly musical, but the Gallery also has landscapes from the Delta, Abstracts, and ecclectic Found Object pieces.

http://www.stanstreet.com

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4:30 pm

Lightnin' Malcolm

North Mississippi Hill Country blues boogieman Lightnin' Malcolm (usually with his trusty sidekick Prayer Bailey on drums and second vocals) has been a fixture at juke joints like Red's Lounge (and yard parties like ol' RL Boyce used to throw) for years and years. He's also played on stage or in studio with everyone from Big George Brock and RL Boyce to Hubert Sumlin and CeDell Davis.

https://lightninmalcolm.com/home

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5:00 pm

Where: Against the Grain

The Woodcarver's Gallery Against the Grain is owned by local artist Bryan Weems. A native of Coahoma County, Weems offers wood burning, murals, chainsaw carving, caricatures, art lessons, paint & craft parties and more.

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5:00 pm

Where: Ground Zero Blues Club

HEY Y'ALL! "Yes," Ground Zero Blues Club (which was temporarily closed this winter) is reopening in late March—just in time for the best Juke Joint Festival ever!! GROUND ZERO BLUES CLUB: Clarksdale's largest real-deal blues music venue offers "live" Mississippi blues music every Wednesday to Saturday... plus special events during festival time periods. Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, Bill Luckett, Howard Stovall and Eric Meier, Ground Zero Blues Club will celebrate its 5th anniversary in May 2006. Besides the plethora of incredible local blues acts who have performed there, musicians from Mavis Staples and Alvin Youngblood Hart to Jerry Lee Lewis and Bobby Rush have been filmed playing there.

http://www.groundzerobluesclub.com

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5:30 pm

Where: Tiny Barbershop Show - Marty's Barbershop

A classic Barbershop in downtown Clarksdale, Ms. Founded by Marty Eubank, the town Barber of over 50 years. The tradition is now carried on by Bear Ryan. Bear is a classically trained Barber specializing in men’s grooming - scissor cuts, clipper cuts, and beard maintenance. Bear is a musician. Hours vary as a result. The shop is generally always open Tues, Weds, Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays can vary. Hours are posted to the website - weekly - on Sundays .

https://www.bearthebarber.com/

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5:30 pm

Robert Kimbrough Sr.

Robert Kimbrough Sr continues the Cotton Patch Soul Blues style created by his father, the legendary Junior Kimbrough. From an early age, Robert was steeped in the sounds and life of North Mississippi and its distinctive style of blues. Growing up, Robert listened, first-hand to Mississippi blues royalty that played with his father at home, at Junior’s Juke Joint Club, and the ever frequent weekend house party and porch jam session. The blues was simply part of everyday life as a Kimbrough. Robert continues his father’s musical tradition, along with some of his siblings. You can often find many of them sharing the stage on any given night in Mississippi. The Kimbrough name, along with the Burnside name, is part of a blues dynasty that remains strong today, bringing people from all over the world to see and hear them play. The Cotton Patch Soul Blues style that Robert plays is a straight link to the music that his father originated in North Mississippi. It is a deep soul sound that can be linked back to his ancestors coming from the cotton fields, singing and ‘hollering‘ as they worked in the tall rows of Mississippi cotton. This distinct and somewhat underground style of blues is rooted in hypnotic, rhythms and dance-able grooves. The Black Keys released an entire album in 2006 of Junior Kimbrough cover songs called Chulahoma: The Songs of Junior Kimbrough. Up until the mid 80s, the only way to hear this music was to visit a church-turned-blues-den founded by Junior Kimbrough in Chulahoma, MS that unfortunately burned down in 2000.

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7:00 pm

Where: Against the Grain

The Woodcarver's Gallery Against the Grain is owned by local artist Bryan Weems. A native of Coahoma County, Weems offers wood burning, murals, chainsaw carving, caricatures, art lessons, paint & craft parties and more.

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7:00 pm

All Crawfish Go to Heaven

All Crawfish Go to Heaven is a trio consisting of Scott Dennis (guitar and vocals) and brothers Will Arledge (guitar and vocals) and Curt Arledge (drums), playing the deep blues of the Mississippi Hill Country and Delta regions, focusing on the hypnotic grooves of RL Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, and Fred McDowell, amongst others.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allcrawfishgotoheaven?igsh=Mm42YW51YmxkaHht&utm_source=qr Other clips: https://youtu.be/rRylNdFwg_w?si=9b1eHLvMfhlCqGq- https://youtu.be/bzQ7DAN-FKo https://youtu.be/E11mFOo3pFc

https://youtu.be/de2OJEr0wdY?si=U8RjRKF3U9DQHIUt

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Where: Pete's Grill

LIVE BLUES TBA. Night time music venue with $10.00 wrist band.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Petes-Cafe-Clarksdale-Ms/885163988186608

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7:00 pm

Ryan Lee Crosby Trio

Ryan Lee Crosby (12 string + vocal), Grant Smith (calabash) and Jay Scheffler (harmonica). Ryan Lee Crosby lives in Rhode Island, but his musical heart is in Mississippi. He has released numerous albums, toured internationally and is a devoted practitioner of the Bentonia Blues tradition. Smithsonian Magazine called him "a young torchbearer" of the style and praised his ability to "bring influences from Africa and India to the Bentonia sound." Crosby's new album "At the Blue Front" (featuring legend Jimmy “Duck” Holmes) offers a hypnotic meld of Bentonia and Hill Country blues. Recorded on tape at Holmes’ iconic juke joint, the album was produced by Crosby, with a selection of original and traditional repertoire.

https://ryanleecrosby.com/press-kit

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Where: Levon's Bar & Grill

Steak, Catfish, Burgers Pizza, Pasta

https://www.levons.net/

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7:00 pm

Dallas Alice

Dallas Alice is a high energy avant- garde duo where first generation blues meets jazz fusion. True spontaneity where nothing is rehearsed or written but a live musical conversation between two pros. Dallas Alice is comprised of the virtuosity of Alice Hasen of Memphis, TN and the fearless improvisation of Mississippi music veteran John Mohead.

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Where: Auberge Hostel (Old Madidi Bar)

Perfect location. Excellent accommodations and incredible rates.

https://www.aubergehostels.com/clarksdale/

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7:30 pm

Ghalia Volt

Ghalia Volt is a force of nature who comes to Juke Joint Festival from New Orleans but originally hails from Belgium, where the blues bug bit early. After multiple visits to Mississippi and the American South in search of real-deal blues and roots musics, she moved here to join the scene. This year, she'll be featured as her amazing one-woman-blues-band. Be sure to ask about her latest CD and LP releases after her shows!

https://ghaliavolt.com

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8:00 pm

Dr. B

Dr. B is the piano player who runs the Clarksdale's cool, new listening room— The Blue Room—where he hosts a weekly Open Mic, film screenings and more. Plan now to attend his new Son House Tribute Festival!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565447039451&sk=photos

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Where: The Blue Room

Downtown Clarksdale's new music listening room, run by Dr B!

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8:00 pm

Robert Kimbrough Sr. Blues Connection

The youngest guitar playing son of North Mississippi blues legend Junior Kimbrough keeps his father's "cotton patch soul blues" sounds alive at jukes, clubs and festivals throughout the South. Robert and his band are regulars at Juke Joint Festival, having played the annual event for years. Ask him about his latest CD.

https://robertkimbroughsr.com/

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Where: Red's Lounge

Red's Lounge? It's the definition of a real-deal Mississippi juke joint. Don't expect to be spoiled with amenities. All you need is a been-there-done-that owner, some beers as big as your head and some "live" blues you'll never forget. (Oh, and MAYBE something out front on the grill.) This is how blues became blues... how the music grew up out of the cotton fields and onto a round piece of vinyl. Speaking of which, the building itself was called "Levine's Music Center" back in the day, and it's where Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm bought the instruments that played the first rock 'n roll song. Yeah, Red's is the real thing for sure...

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reds-Blues-Club/163702543685722

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8:00 pm

Hopeless Case Band

Stan Steet and friends play regularly at Hambone Gallery, 111 E. Second Street.

https://stanstreet.com/hambone-festival/

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Where: Hambone Art & Music

PLEASE NOTE: Saturday night (April 12, 2025), IF Juke Joint Festival Sat-night Wristbands are NOT sold-out, then limited quantities will be available for purchase only at the 243 Delta Ave JJF HQ building (only till 8:30pm) AND Ground Zero Blues Club, Hambone Gallery and Hopson Commissary (if/while supplies last). Entry to any/all 20+ JJF Sat-night venues requires a festival wristband. No exceptions. Details on Wristband webpage or in program booklet. HAMBONE: "Hambone Art Gallery" and bar, Artwork by Stan Street , is located at 111 East Second St.,between Madidi's and Theo's Rock and Roll Museum . Formerly Conerly shoes [ co- owned by Charlie Conerly, quarterback of the New York Giants and Old Miss.] Before that, the building was the old Delta theatre. Owners Stan and Dixie Street moved to Clarksdale from So. Florida. Both blues musicians, they were drawn here by the city's historical roots. Stan is a poster designer for many roots and blues festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Artwork is mostly musical, but the Gallery also has landscapes from the Delta, Abstracts, and ecclectic Found Object pieces.

http://www.stanstreet.com

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8:00 pm

Anthony 'Big A' Sherrod & Allstars

He's been called "The Torchbearer of the Clarksdale Sound" with good reason. No other blues guitarist alive played with so many of the late-greats of the infamous Clarksdale blues scene. Anthony "Big A" Sherrod played in bands with Big Jack Johnson, Super Chikan, Big George Brock, Bilbo Walker, Wesley "Junebug" Jefferson, Michael "Dr. Mike" James, Josh "Razorblade" Stewart, Mr. Johnnie Billington and others (plus sat in with Buddy Guy's 1990s Clarksdale appearance). Today, he leads his own deeply-juke-joint blues trio: Big A & the Allstars, with Heather Crosse and Lee Williams. (PHOTO BY JEFF KONKEL.)

https://anthonybigasherrod.bandcamp.com/album/right-on-time

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Where: Ground Zero Blues Club

HEY Y'ALL! "Yes," Ground Zero Blues Club (which was temporarily closed this winter) is reopening in late March—just in time for the best Juke Joint Festival ever!! GROUND ZERO BLUES CLUB: Clarksdale's largest real-deal blues music venue offers "live" Mississippi blues music every Wednesday to Saturday... plus special events during festival time periods. Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, Bill Luckett, Howard Stovall and Eric Meier, Ground Zero Blues Club will celebrate its 5th anniversary in May 2006. Besides the plethora of incredible local blues acts who have performed there, musicians from Mavis Staples and Alvin Youngblood Hart to Jerry Lee Lewis and Bobby Rush have been filmed playing there.

http://www.groundzerobluesclub.com

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8:00 pm

John Krupa Project

John Krupa Project started in New Orleans, LA (and has recently relocated to Austin, TX) and play deep groove, blues-based rock'n'roll. John Krupa cut his teeth playing punk rock in Connecticut and Minneapolis, MN in the '90s and since then he's lived on the west coast and continued his journey into the deep south where the roots of American music– rock'n'roll, blues, and soul continue to influence and guide his sound. While focussing on writing and recording his original songs, he is not ashamed to wear his influences on his sleeves– Rolling Stones, Johnny Winter, The Faces, Allman Brothers Band, North Mississippi Hill Country Blues, Stax records style soul, Tony Joe White, Black Crowes, as well as proto-punk and garage bands like The Stooges, The Clash, MC5 and The Sonics. The sound that comes out is a product of the experiences lived.

https://johnkrupaproject.com/

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Where: Ooze Bar

The new Ooze Bar (in former Rock & Blues Museum location next to Hambone) is the new blues bar/toy museum inspiration of The Mojo Hands leader Chris Mullens!

https://www.instagram.com/themojohands/?hl=en

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8:00 pm

Roger "Hurricane" Wilson

If you like guitar driven blues rock, fluid and intricate finger style guitar picking, and emotional songwriting, you are at the right place. With over forty years of teaching guitar lessons to beginners and advanced players alike, along with over thirty CD’s on the market, Roger “Hurricane” Wilson has made his own mark on the music world. The legendary Les Paul once said about Roger, This guy plays some great blues.” Atlanta treasure Francine Reed stated that, Roger “Hurricane” Wilson is a force to be reckonedwith.” With over a million miles under his belt, and having shared the stage with such notable artists as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Jorma Kaukonen, Charlie Musselwhite, and many more. Roger “Hurricane” Wilson is just getting started.

https://hurricanewilson.com/

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Where: Pete's Grill

LIVE BLUES TBA. Night time music venue with $10.00 wrist band.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Petes-Cafe-Clarksdale-Ms/885163988186608

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8:15 pm

Downtown Charlie Brown Blues Band

Downtown Charlie Brown, a Chicagoland favorite, is a regular at landmarks like Buddy Guy’s Legends and The Desplaines Theater in Chicagoland. He performs at venues across the country, including Ground Zero in Clarksdale and Biloxi, Mississippi, on King Biscuit Time in Helena, Arkansas, Bluesberry Café in Clarksdale, and XCAl in Ashburn Verginia. You can see him at festivals across the United States. He was referred to as “Chicago’s Delta” by American Blues Scene and was also featured in Living Blues, and BG Blues and Music News Magazines. His band’s focus is Delta and Chicago Blues.

http://www.downtowncharliebrown.com

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Where: Against the Grain

The Woodcarver's Gallery Against the Grain is owned by local artist Bryan Weems. A native of Coahoma County, Weems offers wood burning, murals, chainsaw carving, caricatures, art lessons, paint & craft parties and more.

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8:30 pm

Carlos Elliot,Bobby Gentilo,Eduardo Oviedo

8:30 pm LIVE MUSIC : Carlos Elliot,Bobby Gentilo,Eduardo Oviedo Bluesberry Cafe 235 Yazoo Ave

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9:00 pm

Melissa " MAMA" McKinney

Blue Room 216 Third St

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Where: The Blue Room

Downtown Clarksdale's new music listening room, run by Dr B!

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10:00 pm

James 'Super Chikan' Johnson

In the world of Mississippi blues and folk art, you won't find much better than Mr. James "Super Chikan" Johnson. He is the man. His "live" shows are legendary for their originality and energy. Whether he's playing his signature B.C. Rich guitar or one of his homemade gas can "Chikan-tars," you'll know that good times have entered the building after the first three notes. Winner of the Governor's Award for Excellence in the arts, Chikan recently released his 4th and perhaps best CD, "Chikan Supe." He's been all over the world, but this weekend he's back in town.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqi_j5Glmtc

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10:00 pm

All Crawfish Go to Heaven

All Crawfish Go to Heaven is a trio consisting of Scott Dennis (guitar and vocals) and brothers Will Arledge (guitar and vocals) and Curt Arledge (drums), playing the deep blues of the Mississippi Hill Country and Delta regions, focusing on the hypnotic grooves of RL Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, and Fred McDowell, amongst others.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allcrawfishgotoheaven?igsh=Mm42YW51YmxkaHht&utm_source=qr Other clips: https://youtu.be/rRylNdFwg_w?si=9b1eHLvMfhlCqGq- https://youtu.be/bzQ7DAN-FKo https://youtu.be/E11mFOo3pFc

https://youtu.be/de2OJEr0wdY?si=U8RjRKF3U9DQHIUt

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Where: Ooze Bar

The new Ooze Bar (in former Rock & Blues Museum location next to Hambone) is the new blues bar/toy museum inspiration of The Mojo Hands leader Chris Mullens!

https://www.instagram.com/themojohands/?hl=en

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10:30 pm

Jesse Cotton Stone

Guitarist, Jesse Cotton Stone, is a Colorado-Born, American Highway-Raised, Blues Man. He began teaching himself to play blues guitar by ear, starting at the age of 11. And he's been pickin' his guts out all over the U.S. since 1994. Jesse has toured from Colorado to the Bayous of Southern Louisiana several times and has performed multiple shows at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, AR., the Juke Joint Festival and Deep Blues Festival in Clarksdale, Mississippi, not to mention Juke joints Road houses and other small venues throughout the region.

https://jessecottonstone.com/home

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Where: Pete's Grill

LIVE BLUES TBA. Night time music venue with $10.00 wrist band.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Petes-Cafe-Clarksdale-Ms/885163988186608

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11:30 pm

Where: Ooze Bar

The new Ooze Bar (in former Rock & Blues Museum location next to Hambone) is the new blues bar/toy museum inspiration of The Mojo Hands leader Chris Mullens!

https://www.instagram.com/themojohands/?hl=en

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RELATED EVENTS

(Cover may apply.)

8:00 am

PHOTO WALK with Church Goin Mule

Meet outside of Meraki Roasting Company at 8 am. We will walk around downtown Clarksdale taking photos. Open to all levels of photographers, including phone cameras. Free. Arrive earlier if you'd like to get coffee or get tips on how to use your phone or camera.

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Where: Meraki Roasting Company

Meraki Roasting Company - Freshly Roasted Artisan Coffee roasted in house supporting our youth entrepreneurship program. Come visit our roastery to try our current coffee profiles. Pastries made by local vendors. www.merakiroasting.com www.griotarts.com
www.merakiroasting.com www.griotarts.com
282 Sunflower Ave Meraki Hours: Monday-Sunday (every day!) 7am to 2 pm

http://www.griotarts.com/meraki

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9:00 am

Tours: Living Blues and Civil Rights Museum

Wed April 8 – Sun April 11 9am – 5pm Tours: Living Blues and Civil Rights Museum 615 Sunflower Avenue

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9:00 am

*Sunflower River Camping

Sunflower River Camping Thursday-Saturday, April 9th-12th, 2026 In partnership with the Clarksdale Police Dept Quapaw Canoe Company is offering bathroom and shower access to persons camping along banks of Sunflower River in the City Park around our facility and in other places downtown. Bathroom and shower access is $35/tent/night for 2 people, $15 each additional person/night. Proceeds generated are split with our partners the Clarksdale Police Dept. Bring your own tent and sleeping bags. Don’t park on asphalt drive which the police use for access. Camping is in grassy areas of City Park to north of ramp, and any flat grassy places down along the river. Please don’t block gravel road access to Canoe Company. No open fires, but camp stoves, hibachis or small personal-sized BBQ okay. No smoking (city ordinance in public places). Face masks and social distancing. Reserve and pay for your spot on website www.island63.com (dropdown menu “Additional Resources”). For more information contact Quapaw Canoe Company 662-627-4070 (leave message) or John Ruskey 662-902-7841, Mark “River” Peoples 662-902-6479, or Ceili Hale 601-918-6810.

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Where: Quapaw Canoe Company

All events will meet & take place street level 3rd & Sunflower in downtown Clarksdale all day 9 - 4pm every day Thursday April 13– Saturday April 15. For more information contact Quapaw Canoe Company or info@island63.com, John Ruskey 662-902-7841, Mark “River” Peoples 662-902-6479, Lee Perlow 312-246-3223, or Whit Smith 870-919-6654.

http://www.island63.com

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9:00 am

*1Mississippi -- Can the River Count on You?

1Mississippi -- Can the River Count on You? Quapaw Canoe Company 9 am to 4 pm Thursday - Saturday Thursday-Saturday, April 9th-11th, 2026 In partnership with 1Mississippi - MRN - Mississippi River Network Ongoing Exhibit and Southern campaign headquarters for the 1Mississippi River Citizen Program. Come on over and learn about how you can help protect and better the waters of America, our drinking water, swimming water & lifeblood of the nation. Become a River Citizen and join us in making the Mississippi River sparkle like the beautiful “Queen of Rivers” that she is. For more information contact Quapaw Canoe Company 662-627-4070 (leave message) or John Ruskey 662-902-7841, Mark “River” Peoples 662-902-6479, or Ceili Hale 601-918-6810.

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Where: Quapaw Canoe Company

All events will meet & take place street level 3rd & Sunflower in downtown Clarksdale all day 9 - 4pm every day Thursday April 13– Saturday April 15. For more information contact Quapaw Canoe Company or info@island63.com, John Ruskey 662-902-7841, Mark “River” Peoples 662-902-6479, Lee Perlow 312-246-3223, or Whit Smith 870-919-6654.

http://www.island63.com

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10:00 am

NEW EXHIBIT: "The River and the Road to the Blues"

Delta Blues Museum Upstairs Gallery Open 10A - 5P daily Special Museum hours on Sunday, April 12 from 1P - 5P

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Where: Delta Blues Museum

Since its creation, the Delta Blues Museum has preserved, interpreted, and encouraged a deep interest in the story of the blues. Established in 1979 by the Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees and re-organized as a stand-alone museum in 1999, the Delta Blues Museum is the state’s oldest music museum.

http://www.deltabluesmuseum.org

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12:00 pm

Exhibit : Medgar Evers Coming Home Exhibit

Exhibit sneak peek : Judge James Walter Wright Exhibit located at the future home of the Clarksdale Cultural Heritage Museum April 9, 2026- April 13, 2026 12:00p.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily lunch and dinner An array of catered offerings including Japanese Curry, Thai Curry, Gumbo, Taco Bar, Fruit and Salads 238 Delta Avenue or To Go Orders at 662-592-1767

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Where: Clarksdale Cultural Heritage Museum (future site)

Century-old building undergoing renovations to become the new Clarksdale Cultural Heritage Museum. Open as classic juke joint venue for JJF 2026! Conveniently located near Stone Pony restuarant, Cat Head store and JJF HQ building.

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12:00 pm

Exhibit sneek peek : Judge James Walter Wright Exhibit

Exhibit sneak peek : Judge James Walter Wright Exhibit located at the future home of the Clarksdale Cultural Heritage Museum April 9, 2026- April 13, 2026 12:00p.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily lunch and dinner An array of catered offerings including Japanese Curry, Thai Curry, Gumbo, Taco Bar, Fruit and Salads 238 Delta Avenue or To Go Orders at 662-592-1767

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Where: Clarksdale Cultural Heritage Museum (future site)

Century-old building undergoing renovations to become the new Clarksdale Cultural Heritage Museum. Open as classic juke joint venue for JJF 2026! Conveniently located near Stone Pony restuarant, Cat Head store and JJF HQ building.

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3:00 pm

Crawfish Boll and Live Music

Crawfish Boil with Joe Austin & The Tallahatchies Hopson Courtyard 10 Commissary Circle

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Who: Joe Austin & The Tallahatchies

Born and raised in Pontotoc, Mississippi, just a stone’s throw from the Mississippi Delta, Joe Austin was immersed in American music at an early age. His childhood was filled with blues, gospel harmonies in church and “front porch pickin’” amongst gatherings of family and friends. His grandfather was a finger style guitar player on his off time from being one of the first crop duster pilots in the state. Growing up, Joe was mesmerized watching his grandad play and learned to sing along. His grandad passed away and left his guitar to Joe. That’s when he learned to play guitar like he’d always wanted to. A few years later he also learned fiddle and really began to find his niche. After high school, he attended college on a music scholarship and played in a country music ensemble. After college, he played professionally based out of Nashville and Memphis. However, the Texas music scene had always appealed to him. In November 2014 he got the opportunity to move to north Texas where he produced a record on singer songwriter Tom McElvain titled “Redemption”.

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7:00 pm

The Real Blues: Book talk and signing by Clarksdale native Marvin Reddick

Marvin Reddick’s book The Real Blues and this conversation provide a rare, raw and honest inside look at the culture of the people who started and still maintain the real blues, from an inside perspective.

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Where: Crossroads Cultural Arts Center

Clarksdale, MS is located in the Mississippi delta and is famously home to many artists. The Crossroads Cultural Arts Center will include an art gallery, creative spaces for learning, performance space, a visiting artists loft, and retail space. The Center would be infused with the works of traditional and contemporary Delta musicians and visual artists, with an emphasis on local African-American artists and their traditions.

https://www.facebook.com/CrossroadsCulturalArtsCenter/

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Juke Joint Festival® name and logo are registered trademarks of Clarksdale Downtown Development Association. All rights reserved.