These locals are blazing a trail back to the legends that made Mississippi, specifically the Delta, a region that was (and is) vital to the development of modern music. 

On this episode of Unpacked, British writer and fiddle player, Emma John, takes you on a musical odyssey through the Mississippi Blues Trail and its role in reviving a blues heartland and connecting travelers to the soul of the genre. 

A special thanks to the late Raymond Earl "Pat" Thomas, the legendary musician featured in this episode who passed on February 12 at the age of 64.

Mississippi, the Heartland of Modern Music

In this episode you’ll learn: 

• The venues, museums and historical establishment you must visit on the Mississippi Blues Trail 
• The local legends surrounding original blues musicians like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and W.C. Handy
• The looks, sounds and feels of authentic Delta blues. 

Juke Joints, Shotgun Shacks and the Soul of a Land

Don’t miss these moments: 

[06:19] The Bad Apple Blues Club might seem sketchy at first, but it’s got heart. 

[11:40] This is where B.B. King insisted on being buried. 

[27:07] Muddy Water’s nephew proves that in the Delta, the blues is always with you. 

Listen to the Locals Who Carry the Legacy of Blues 

Muddy Water’s great nephew, the son of celebrated bluesman John Thomas and a museum director who met B.B. King as a child—these are some of the local voices that steward the soul of blues on the Mississippi Blues Trail. 

Listen along as fiddle player Emma John, gets a local legacy lesson and sees how the heart, soul, and pulse of Delta Blues continues to affect musicians and travelers, alike. 

Meet This Week's Guests

Big A and the Allstars  at Ground Zero Blues Club

Roger Stolle, owner of Cat Head Delta Blues and Folk Art

Sean Apple, owner of Bad Apple Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi

Robert Terrell, director of operations at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center

Barry Bays, professor at the Delta Music Institute

Keith Johnson, aka “the Prince of the Delta Blues” 

Pat Thomas, Delta blues guitarist and son of James Thomas who often played at the Highway 61 Blues Museum

More Resources

• Read more about Emma John’s road trip on the Mississippi Blues Trail.
• Explore Emma’s website, buy her books and read about her musical origins on afar.com.
• Listen to this playlist featuring the artists from this episode. 
• Read the transcript of this episode.

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