World’s music fans make pilgrimages to the Delta

Listen carefully in the juke joints, restaurants or the impressive interactive museums in Tunica, Cleveland, Clarksdale and Indianola, and you’re bound to hear fans talking about their love of the blues – many with international accents.

The genre gained notice outside the Delta in the 1940s when African-American folklorist John Work III led Alan Lomax and his famous audio recorder to Muddy Waters’ cabin. Since then, it’s been an essential pilgrimage for fans and musicians alike, including members of The Rolling Stones and other international bands, informing and influencing their own styles. 

For a complete index of historical markers, visit here.

– Chris Schroder, The 100 Companies