About Us
The Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola was formed in November 2003. A group of Indianola blues enthusiasts had a vision when plans for the B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center and the Mississippi Blues Commission were in their early stages, also. Indianola is the home of the Historic Club Ebony – Since 1945. B.B. King now owns this famous blues club that he has been performing in for decades.
The Highway 61 Blues Museum in Leland and the Delta community of Holly Ridge where Charlie Patton is buried are only a few miles down the road from Indianola. Being in an area that is rich with blues history and an abundant supply of talented blues musicians….this young organization has found much meaning. Nurturing this art form and honoring the stories along with the storytellers has been very important to the members of this organization.
The Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola, Inc. is now incorporated under the laws of the State of Mississippi. The organization's 501(c) 3 status has been approved. In the bylaws, the Mission Statement of the Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola reads as follows:
The Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola is organized to operate for the advancement of education and for other non-profit purposes related to blues music, by the distribution of its funds for such purposes and particularly to:
- Preserve, cultivate, nurture, and promote the blues of the Mississippi Delta, an indigenous American cultural expression.
- Support blues artists and traditional blues venues by hosting/sponsoring live performances for public benefit and enjoyment.
- Increase awareness of and appreciation for the blues through collaborative educational efforts.
- Provide a forum for exchange of blues news and events within a network of blues enthusiasts.
- Support Mississippi Delta events and organizations through innovative blues-related partnerships.
The Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola, Inc. welcomes membership donations from any individual, firm, association, corporation, or estate interested in the purposes and objectives of the organization on a nondiscriminatory basis.
Major Projects and Accomplishments
Down Home Blues Festival – One year
Dick Waterman Book Signing – BBKing’s Treasures
Bordeaux (France)-Delta Blues Connection 2-week Delta Juke Tour
including B.B. King Homecoming, Highway 61 Blues Festival
Katrina Relief Partnership with Bordeaux Blues Artists
Dorothy “Misty Blue” Moore Book Signing – Little Dorothy
Annual MS Delta Regional Blues Challenge – November
Annual International Blues Challenge-Memphis, TN (Solo & Band) - February
Blues Artist of the Year and other Annual Awards
Holly Ridge Jam – Co-sponsor w/ Leland Blues Project – June
Steve Gardner (Japan) and the Jake Leg Stompers at Club Ebony
Mary Shepard Tribute at Club Ebony Retirement Party
Presented: Gov. Barbour Proclamation – April 6, 2008 Mary Frances Shepard Day
