Blues in Clarksdale MS is a fantastic place to go for the best blues in Clarksdale Mississippi. Blues in Clarksdale is home to some of the finest blues artists around, and it’s where so many famous musicians have gotten their start.

Feature Photo: D. Saparow

Clarksdale, Mississippi is known as the birthplace of the blues. Clarksdale has a rich history and culture that is evident in its music, art, and the town’s ambience.

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Blues In Clarksdale MS: A Blues Concert 365 Days a Year

Clarksdale is the birthplace of the blues where live music can be enjoyed most every day. The blues calendar includes everything from small bars to large festivals. It’s no wonder that the birthplace of the blues should have such an active calendar of live music. This Mississippi town offers something for everyone and is worth a visit whether you’re a fan of the blues or not.

Clarksdale, MS is the home of many blues greats that left a lasting impact on American music. Beginning with Son House in the 1930’s, Clarksdale has been a fertile ground for blues musicians. Many other blues greats featured are John Lee Hooker, Junior Parker, Ike Turner, Eddie Boyd and Sam Cook.

Blues Festivals

Clarksdale has a number of annual festivals and it is home to some of the best blues festivals in the nation. The Sunflower River and Blues and Gospel Festival is one notable festival, while Juke Joint Festival focuses on live music from local musicians. The Juke Joint Festival typically occurs in April while the Sunflower River and Blues and Gospel Festival is always in August and the Deep Blues Fest is in October.

For more information on the festivals…

Explore Music Venues

Clarksdale, MS is well known for its bar and nightclub scene. In fact, some have ranked it among America’s best 100 bars and nightclubs. If nightlife is what you’re after, you won’t be disappointed in Clarksdale.

Blues events on Tuesdays are at Bluesberry Cafe and Hambone Gallery. Wednesdays include a Sean “Bad” Apple show, plus Anthony “Big A” Sherrod and friends at the Hambone Gallery. The public is encouraged to come out for the shows in Clarksdale, as it’s a great time to get acquainted with local artists and musicians.

NOTE: Schedule times and band changes frequently happen-please check with the venues listed for the latest information on upcoming shows before going to the establishment.

Ground Zero Blues Club is a music venue located in Clarksdale, Mississippi. The club is owned by Morgan Freeman and Bill Luckett, who are both natives of the area. The club was founded in 2001 with the goal of preserving blues music and promoting it to a new generation of fans. The night time is the right time for Mississippi Delta music at Ground Zero, and Clarksdale, MS should be at the top of your blues bucket list.

Photo by: D.Saparow

Wednesday nights host music at 8pm, Thursday-Saturday attract live music from 9pm-2am on Fridays and Saturdays. The kitchen will serve lunch Tues-Sat and dinner Wed-Sat in the evenings.

Website | Facebook | 387 Delta Ave, Clarksdale, MS 38614 | (662) 621-9009

Clarksdale, MS – Ground Zero Blues Club

Watch on YouTube | Channel: VisitTheDelta

Bluesberry Cafe

The Bluesberry Cafe is one of the top music venues in the area and has been hosting live music for decades. The venue started in 1978 and has continued to grow ever since. The venue is small and intimate which can be an issue when they host bands that have a large fan base, but it also makes for an intimate experience for the blues fans. The Bluesberry Cafe is located in Clarksdale, MS which is about an hour and a half drive from Memphis, TN. This makes it a great weekend trip for music lovers who want to hear some great music.

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BluesBerry Cafe – Blues & Breakfast in Clarksdale, MS

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The New Roxy

The New Roxy is an open-air music venue in Clarksdale, MS. It hosts events primarily during festival times in April, August, and October. (The New Roxy has a roof, but the main audience area is open air). The New Roxy hosts events primarily during festival times in April, August, and October. Find out about upcoming events on their Facebook page.

Website | 363 Issaquena Avenue, Clarksdale MS 38614 |

Roofless Theatre in the Mississippi Delta: New Roxy – Tennessee Valley Uncharted

Watch on YouTube | Channel: Tennessee Valley Uncharted

Red’s Lounge Blues Joint

Red’s Lounge is a blues joint in Clarksdale, MS. The venue is an old juke house that has been around since the 1970s. It opens on Wednesdays and live music begins at 8pm. On Friday and Saturday, the music starts at 9pm, and on Sunday it begins at 7pm. As with most blues joints, you can expect to pay a cover charge when you enter the establishment. (And it is a cash-only establishment). If you’re looking for some good ole’ blues in an authentic juke joint, Red’s is the place for you!

Website | 398 Sunflower Ave, Clarksdale, MS 38614 | (662) 627-3166

Leo “Bud” Welch – Red’s Lounge, Clarksdale MS – 20.01.2014

Watch on YouTube | Channel: Bluessuria

Stan Street’s Hambone Art Gallery

Stan Street’s Hambone Art Gallery is a unique and welcoming space for artists, musicians, and storytellers. It is open daily from 11am until 5pm, with special evening events happening occasionally. The Hambone has been an important part of the Clarksdale community for many years and is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Stan Street’s Hambone Art Gallery is a must-see for blues fans visiting Clarksdale, MS. The gallery is open weekly, seven days a week and features the work of local artist Stan Street. Street is a self-taught painter who was heavily influenced by the blues music he grew up listening to in Florida. His portraits of Muddy Waters, Elmore James, and Robert Johnson are stunning and showcase his talent for capturing movement and color.

| Facebook | 111 E 2nd St, Clarksdale, MS 38614 | (662) 253-5586

Watch on YouTube | Carla Linkous Maxwell

Shack Up Inn

The Shack Up Inn is a short term rental for travelers. It offers guests the opportunity to stay with the property for an overnight or longer to conduct historical business in the Delta region. The Shack also offers live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm during dinner time. The Shack Up Inn also has live music during festivals. Note that they have a “No Children policy.” For more information, see their website.

| Website | 001 Commissary Circle, Clarksdale, MS 38614 | (662) 624-8329 |

Watch on YouTube | HLN

Things to Do in Clarksdale

But there’s more to this town than just great nightlife options. There are also plenty of things to do during the day. Check out The Delta Blues Museum, where you can learn about the history of the blues and the artists who made it famous. Or visit the Delta Blues Alley Cat Cafe, which is dedicated to promoting and preserving blues music. And if you’re looking for a little bit of everything, head over to The Crossroads, where you can find shopping, dining, and entertainment all in one place.

Experience the Crossroads

The Crossroads is referred to as a place where Robert Johnson made a deal with the devil. Robert Johnson was not a skilled guitarist before he met a strange man who played his guitar better than anyone else. After meeting the man, Johnson developed skills with both his guitar playing and harmonica playing. He wrote the song “Me and the Devil Blues” about his time at The Crossroads. There’s no evidence of Johnson ever actually visiting The Crossroads, but rumors persist he did.

Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art

Roger Stolle, the proprietor of Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art, came to Clarksdale in 2002. The shop organizes and promotes blues music by hosting live performances and live recordings from local artists.

Richard Stolle has been living in Clarksdale for several years now and enjoys it immensely. He chose Clarksdale as a location to “circle the wagons” in regards to Delta blues, with a goal of helping it survive and thrive into the future.

| Website | Facebook | 252 Delta Avenue, Clarksdale, MS 38614 | 662-624-5992

Watch on YouTube | Delta Bohemian Madge Marley Howell

Museums & Galleries in Clarksdale

The Delta Blues Museum

The Delta Blues Museum is the state’s oldest music museum, and it’s chock-full of fascinating artifacts, like old costumes and instruments. Situated in the historic freight depot, the Delta Blues Museum was established in 1979 by the Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees and has been appointed a Mississippi Landmark Property since 1996. Visitors will find many captivating exhibits here, like the History of the Blues Gallery and BB King’s Lucille guitar. You can also explore interactive displays that allow you to “play” different instruments or watch short films about blues legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.

| Website | Facebook | 1 Blues Alley, PO Box 459, Clarksdale, MS 38614 | 662-627-6820

Watch on YouTube | Channel: Delta Blues Museum

The Tennessee Williams Rectory Museum

The Tennessee Williams Rectory Museum is a historic site that houses four of the bedrooms that were once his home. Tennessee Williams lived with his grandparents in Clarksdale before he became famous. The museum exhibits a significant piece of history, being where Tom “Tennessee” Williams lived as a child after his grandparents moved there from Memphis.

The Carnegie Public Library Archeology Collection

The Carnegie Public Library Archeology Collection is a collection of pottery shards, tools and other artifacts from Mississippian mound sites excavated by Clarence Bloomfield Moore between 1900-1902. The library’s purpose is to provide opportunities for information and education. The Clarksdale Library provides a range of services and materials to the people in their community, as well as the region.

| Website | Facebook | 114 Delta Avenue Clarksdale, MS 38614 | 662-624-4461