Oxford, Mississippi (December 7, 2011) –Mississippi music is the focus of the 2011 edition of The Oxford American magazine's award-winning and critically-acclaimed annual Southern Music issue.

 This issue will also serve as a 20th anniversary celebration and homecoming of sorts for the national magazine, which was founded in Oxford, Miss., in 1992.

 “Mississippi has a proud musical heritage, and it is only fitting that the Oxford American honors our true southern legacy as the Birthplace of America’s music in its latest issue,” Gov. Haley Barbour said. “This is a great opportunity to highlight Mississippians, who have contributed so much to all genres of music.”

The Oxford American’s 2011 Southern Music issue is now available on newsstands nationwide.  It is packaged with a CD dedicated to an exploration of music produced by native Mississippians.  The magazine will also include a special editorial section with articles about the artists and songs featured on the Mississippi CD.

"Mississippi has produced some of the world's most beloved musicians across a wide range of genres, and its musical heritage is widely respected and admired," said Warwick Sabin, Publisher of The Oxford American.  "Our challenge is to thoughtfully and deeply explore the music of Mississippi, in order to unearth hidden treasures and introduce our readers and listeners to people and stories they otherwise would never know.  As we have proven over the years, that is what The Oxford American does best, and we are up to the challenge." 

The Mississippi music CD and the special editorial section about Mississippi music was produced in partnership with the Mississippi Development Authority’s Division of Tourism, and after the 2011 Southern Music issue, The Oxford American will work with the agency to hold events around the state to celebrate the musical heritage of Mississippi. 

"This tribute by The Oxford American is an excellent way to experience and enjoy the musical heritage of Mississippi," said Mississippi Director of Tourism Mary Beth Wilkerson. "Whether a die-hard blues fan or an explorer in search of their True South, this issue will provide facts and sounds that will start them on their musical journey." 

In 2009, The Oxford American inaugurated a new series through which its annual Southern Music issue focuses on the musical heritage of the South each year, working to cover the breadth and depth of music from the region. 

The Oxford American’s annual Southern Music issue has won two National Magazine Awards and other high honors since it was first introduced in 1999.  It is considered by many readers and listeners to be among the best music packages in the country.  Over the years, NPR has featured many of The Oxford American's Southern Music Issues on its broadcasts.  The New York Times once wrote, "The Oxford American may be the liveliest literary magazine in America … The CDs are so smart and eclectic they probably belong in the Smithsonian." 

The Southern Music issue has showcased everyone from R.E.M. to the Gants, Isaac Hayes to Erma Franklin, Lucinda Williams to Karen Dalton, Carl Perkins to the Armstrong Twins, Willie Nelson to Gary Stewart, Jerry Lee Lewis to Nellie Lutcher, and more.  Such music writing legends as Greil Marcus, William Gay, Stanley Crouch, Peter Guralnick, Steve Martin, Rosanne Cash, Nick Tosches, and Kevin Brockmeier—among many others—have contributed memorable writing to the Southern Music Issues. 

For more information about Mississippi or the Oxford American: www.VisitMississippi.org , www.oxfordamerican.org. 

Download Press Release

On Monday, August 29, the world lost another great blues legend when David “Honeyboy” Edwards of Shaw, Mississippi, passed away in his Chicago home. The GRAMMY-winning artist was known to be the oldest surviving Delta bluesman.



Honeyboy achieved many accolades during his career, which included induction to the Blues Hall of Fame, several GRAMMY Awards, the Mississippi Arts Commission's Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award and many other notable recognitions. However, one of his fondest memories was being honored on the Mississippi Blues Trail on April 13, 2007.

Opening with two panel discussions featuring family members of blues legends Robert Johnson and Howlin' Wolf, the Mississippi Juke Joint Stage kicked off the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival with a bang. This year's festival, "Sweet Home Chicago: A Centennial Celebration of Robert Johnson," is commemorating the legendary bluesman June 10-12, and Mississippi is here to supply the sweet sounds of authentic Delta Blues and the hospitality of the True South all weekend long.



D'Mar and Gill hit the stage after the panel discussions and rocked an elbow-to-elbow crowd. Despite cloudy skies, spirits were high and the sound of the Mississippi blues were sweet. Nora Jean Bruso and Super Chikan wrapped up the afternoon set before Fernando Jones & My Band closed out the first night at the Mississippi Juke Joint stage.

But the night was far from over... Eddie Cotton jumpstarted a night of Mississippi music on the Petrillo Main Stage. As Eddie and other Mississippi artists warmed up the crowd for the official "Tribute to Robert Johnson" performances, guests enjoyed down-home eats at the Mississippi tent. After all, what's a True South celebration without hearty, homestyle Southern cuisine?!





What a night! Even more great music Saturday and Sunday...

May is Music Month in the great state of Mississippi and we have so much going on this month, you won’t soon forget that Mississippi is the true birthplace of America’s music.  From Rock & Roll and Blues to Country Music and Jazz, Mississippi houses decades upon decades of America’s music legends and artists.

To honor this truly amazing month in Mississippi, we’ve got some musically inspired facts and fun tid bits some of you may not have known. We hope it inspires a trip to the great state during May to experience firsthand the authentic past and present of some of America’s music legends and new musical talent springing from our state. 

 

 - “The Father of Country Music," Jimmie Rodgers found fame in the late 1920s and was the first inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 - Malaco Records, a legendary recording studio in Jackson, opened in 1967 and is considered “The Last Soul Company.” It is the last independently owned and operated record label of its kind in the world, having released some of the biggest classic R & B, Southern soul, gospel and blues songs to hit the Billboard charts.

 
- The University of Mississippi Blues Archive in Oxford contains the world's largest collection of Blues music.

 
 - Mary Wilson of the Supremes was born in Greenville, Mississippi, and was the only member to remain with the group from their 1959 beginnings as the Primettes to their breakup in 1977.

 
 - Jimmy Buffet, singer of tropical music was actually born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, not Margaritaville.

 
 - Faith Hill was born Audrey Faith Perry in Ridgeland, Mississippi and recorded her first album, “Take Me as I Am” in 1993.

 
 - The Mississippi Delta is the birthplace of the Blues, which preceded the birth of Jazz, the only other original American art form.

 
 - Peavey Electronics, in Meridian, is the world's largest manufacturer of musical amplification equipment.