Clarksdale was developed at the former intersection of two Indian trade routes, the Lower Creek Trade Path and the Chakchiuma Trade Trail. Following the Indian Removal Act in 1830, European-American settlers began to settle the area to grow Cotton in the fertile soil and in 1848, John Clark founded the town of Clarksville.
The city has been historically significant in the history of the blues. A crossroads tribute in Clarksdale where Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul to the devil. Supposedly, sometime in the mid-30s Johnson, who was good on the Harmonica but a terrible guitar player, returned in a few weeks a from taking his guitar to the cross roads of 49 and 61 in Clarksdale and returned with a formidable technique and mastery of the blues. It is also home to the Delta Blues Museum and the Juke Joint Festival at Delta Cinema.
The city of Clarksdale is host to several blues festivals:
- Clarksdale Film & Music Festival – 1/26-27, 2018
- Juke Joint Festival & Related Events – 4/12-15, 2018 – Over 100 blues acts!!
- Second Street Blues Party I (Juke Fest Fri & Sun) – 4/13-15, 2018
- Cat Head Mini Blues Fest I (Juke Fest Sunday) – 4/15, 2018
- Clarksdale Caravan Music Fest (post-BMAs) – 5/12-13, 2018
- Goat Fest V – 6/1-3, 2018
- Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival – 8/10-12, 2018
- Cat Head Mini Blues Fest II (Sunflower Fest Sunday) – 8/12, 2018
- Second Street Blues Party II (King Biscuit Weekend) – 10/6-7, 2018
- Cat Head Mini Blues Fest III (King Biscuit Sunday) – 10/7, 2018
- Busking Stages at Deep Blues Fest (Cat Head/Rock & Blues Museum) – October, 2018
PLUS, watch for 2018 dates “soon” for Mississippi Sax Fest (May), Goat Fest (June), Pinetop Masterclass (June), Sunflower Fest (August), Deep Blues Fest (Oct), TN Williams Fest, Cruzn The Crossroads Car Show, or Hambone (Oct — though usually Halloween weekend) in Clarksdale.
For more information contact
662-902-8975
P.O. Box 1770, Clarksdale, MS 38614