Since Tunica was less than hour from Memphis, we decided this was a good time to visit Gateway to the Blues. The museum showcases the Delta Blues history that originated in this region. The route to get into town was Highway 61 which is known as the Blues Highway as musicians traveled this route cross-pollinating the musical genre known as the Blues. The highway goes all the way to St. Louis and beyond but in the south, it passes through Clarksdale, Vicksburg and ultimately ends in New Orleans. Dozens of artists have recorded music about this highway.
The museum exhibits one of the most important collections of memorabilia. It is worth noting that the Horseshoe Casino, one of the many casinos in the area sponsors and financially supports the museum. The collection of guitars was particularly spectacular. I love the music known as the blues and often listen to a blues station on XM radio. Almost all of the influential artist of the blues were born and raised in the Tunica region; B.B. King, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Charley Patton, Son House, and Sonny Boy Williamson.
There are videos of current blues artists like Bonnie Raitt discussing the influence these early artist had on her music. One piece of history that I did not know was about W.C. Handy, who is often called the father of the blues. I think that is historically incorrect. Handy recreated the sounds he heard at a train station in Mississippi. But Handy was not from the Delta. The origin is definitely right here.
The museum also honors Big Mama Thornton, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and others. There is also mention of the work done by John Lomax to record some of these great blues originals. Some years ago, I read the book he produced which tells their stories and included musical recordings that were captured while the musicians were still alive. All of the music we know today, from jazz to rock-n-roll, the subsequent British blues invasion, the Beatles, Elvis Presley, and more all come out of the Delta Blues.
Once we returned to the campground, we listened to some blues music and watched the barges float by.