Blues Trail in MS – Visit Mississippi

The Mississippi Blues Trail

Take an unforgettable journey through blues history in Mississippi, a state that many legends of the genre, like B.B. King and Charlie Patton, called home. The Mississippi Blues Trail is made up of a series of markers throughout the state. Each marker tells the story of a significant person or place that helped shape the foundation of the blues. From clubs to cotton fields to cemeteries to train depots, the markers bring the history of the blues alive for both visitors and locals.

After journeying through the past, dive into the music of the present by visiting one of Mississippi’s many juke joints and blues clubs. Musicians bare their hearts and souls on stages across the state, and there’s nothing quite like listening to authentic blues performers in person. Whether you’re drawn to the soulful sounds or expressive lyrics, the blues speaks to generations of fans in a multitude of ways.

For more information, request a tour guide, use our trip planner, check out some of the places to stop, or contact us today to start planning your trip.

Mississippi Blues Trail – 100 Men D.B.A. Hall

Bay St. Louis FEATURED

Mississippi Blues Trail – 100 Men D.B.A. Hall Trail Marker Location: Bay St. Louis Marker Front: The 100 Men D.B.A. Hall, a longtime center of African American social life and entertainment, was built in 1922 by the One Hundred Members’ […]

Mississippi Blues Trail – Roots of Rock and Roll

Hattiesburg

Mississippi Blues Trail – Roots of Rock and Roll Trail Marker Location: Hattiesburg Marker Front: Rock and roll is rooted in the blues of Mississippi. The Mississippi Jook Band (brothers Roosevelt and Uaroy Graves and pianist Cooney Vaughan) earned a niche […]

Mississippi Blues Trail – Nelson Street

Greenville

Mississippi Blues Trail – Nelson Street Trail Marker Location: Greenville Marker Front: Nelson Street was once the epicenter of African American business and entertainment in the Delta. Nightclubs, cafes, churches, groceries, fish markets, barbershops, laundries, record shops, and other enterprises did […]

Mississippi Blues Trail – Corner of 10 and 61

Leland

Mississippi Blues Trail – Corner of 10 and 61 Trail Marker Location: Leland Marker Front:A major source of income for blues artists in the first half of the 20th century was tips. This corner, formerly the intersection of highways 10 […]

Mississippi Blues Trail – Jimmie Rodgers & The Blues

Meridian

Mississippi Blues Trail – Jimmie Rodgers and the Blues Trail Marker Location: Meridian Marker Front:Jimmie Rodgers (1897 – 1933) is widely known as the “father of country music,” but blues was a prominent element of his music. The influence of […]

Mississippi Blues Trail – Summers Hotel & Subway Lounge

Jackson

Mississippi Blues Trail – Summers Hotel & Subway Lounge Trail Marker Location: Jackson Marker Front:During the era of segregation, traveling African Americans had few options for lodging. In Jackson, many black musicians stayed at the Summers Hotel, established in 1944 […]

Mississippi Blues Trail – Willie Dixon

Vicksburg

Mississippi Blues Trail – Willie Dixon Trail Marker Location: Vicksburg Marker Front: Willie Dixon, often called “the poet laureate of the blues,” was born in Vicksburg on July 1, 1915. As a songwriter, producer, arranger, and bass player, Dixon shaped […]

Mississippi Blues Trail – Hickory Street (The Hollow)

Canton

Mississippi Blues Trail – Hickory Street (The Hollow) Trail Marker Location: Canton Marker Front: Hickory Street, known locally as “The Hollow,” was a hub of social life, commerce, and entertainment for the African American community of central Mississippi for several […]

Mississippi Blues Trail – The Blue Front Café

Bentonia

Mississippi Blues Trail – The Blue Front Café Trail Marker Location: Bentonia Marker Front: The Blue Front Café opened in 1948 under the ownership of Carey and Mary Holmes, an African American couple from Bentonia. In its heyday the Blue […]

Mississippi Blues Trail – Trumpet Records

Jackson

Mississippi Blues Trail – Trumpet Records Trail Marker Location: Jackson Marker Front: Trumpet Records was the first record company in Mississippi to achieve national stature through its distribution, sales, radio airplay and promotion. Willard and Lillian McMurry launched the label […]

Mississippi Blues Trail – Otis Rush

Philadelphia

Mississippi Blues Trail – Otis Rush Trail Marker Location: Philadelphia Marker Front: The blues form reached both artistic and emotional peaks in the works of Otis Rush, who was born south of Philadelphia in Neshoba County in 1935. His music, […]

Mississippi Blues Trail – The Red Tops