Well, well, well. How many of you know where the Blues were born? Up North? To the East or West? Nope, right down in the heart of the South. Clarksdale has a rich and honorable history.Clarksdale Mississippi is located in none other than Mississippi, the Magnolia State. Clarksdale sits in the Crossroads at the intersection of highway 61 and 49. It is the birthplace, and world capital of the Blues. The Population in the 2000 census was nearly 21,000. The town itself was named after the founder, John Clark. Long ago, and most likely still today, Clarksdale was known as the “Golden Buckle in the Cotton Belt” because of the rich diversity of whites, Lebanese, Chinese, African American, and Jewish immigrants. Around 1946, the area boomed do to the invention of the single row mechanical cotton picking machine on a nearby plantation.The town now openly celebrates its Bluesy heritage, and, after much debate and struggle years ago, the Delta Blues Museum stands today in recognition of a great art. The museum has many displays featuring historical Blues figures, instruments, and music of a past era. The museum, once a town depot, is also a library with special featuring of bios of the Blues.Back in 1979, the founder of the museum, Sid Graves, got little support for the promotion and funding for the museum, and for years he fought for it. Often his displays were to be found in the trunk of his car. Eventually, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top discovered the struggling museum. With the bands support, Grave’s dream rose to fame and notoriety throughout the country. His operation grew so big that he was eventually forced out of his position as Library Director.Today, Clarksdale thrives as a great tourist location, historical American experience. What are you waiting for? You don’t need a tragedy to experience the Blues!
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