Mississippi Trip Vol 9: No Internet

So for the last few days I haven't really had any good internet connections that would allow me to up load pics n vids. Tonight is no different. I'm hoping tomorrow I will be able to find a connection in town so i can upload the new stuff. They will blow your minds.

Yesterday (Saturday) we hit the road out of Hernando after some laundry and an oil change for Ruby. We hit Highway 61 and headed south. We stopped at a museum in Tunica for a minute or two and realized here that every little town claimed to be "The blues town" in this area and that every crossroads was 'the crossroads'. We searched the old highway and come across dozens of crossroads. We drove through some of the most depressing areas as well. Truely another world.

We rolled into Clarksdale around 6pm and had a bite at the local BBQ "Abe's". REALLY good pork sandwich. Abe's is located right at "the crossroads", highway 49 & 61 intersection. Commonly accepted as the real crossroads. After supper we went to The riverside motel to check in for the night. Everyone has stayed here. Muddy, Levon Helm (saw his name in the guestbook), Pops & Mavis Staples, JFK Jr, John Lee Hooker, Sam Cooke, Ike Turner and this is also where Bessie Smith died. Crazy history. The owner "Rat" is a super cool old dude who knows all the history. Stay tuned for pics n vids in the next day or two. After hanging for a bit we went to "Red's". Red's is the local juke. I mean real deal no BS juke joint. There was a dude named Harmonica Bean playing and it was only moments before Karl was up to join him and then later I got up and played a tune with him. We also met a cat named Dan who is from Australia. Dan is also here to compete in the IBC in the solo category. After a while we hit the road for The Ground Zero Blues club owned by Morgan Freeman. It was cool and a nice club but very touristy/frat boy. The tunes were less that impressionable but we had fun regardless. After a few beers we went back to the Riverside Motel to hang late night. Unbelievable place. Rat was so cool.

Today we got up and grabbed some eats then packed up to head out to the Shack up Inn where we'll be for the next few days. This place is indescribable. It really is a blues lovers heaven. I won't even try as words don't cut it. Again, stay tuned for Pics n Vids. They are awesome.

Tonight we went back to Red's as we were told Watermelon Slim would be performing and we should jam with him. We arrived late but everyone was happy to see us. Seems we'd made an impression the night before and Watermelon said after a tune..."Y'all must be the Canadians". Well is wasn't long and we had set up some gear to accompany him for a set. The aussie was there too and we all had a fun time. What a night. Looks like Monday night we'll play at the Hall here at the Shack Up and then tuesday we'll load into Red's to warm up for Memphis. Look out.

So hang tight for images...I'll get em up tomorrow. Just wanted to say hey and that we are having a stupidly fun time. Stay tuned.....

R