Mississippi Delta Itinerary

Memphis to Jackson: Photo Tour of the Real Mississippi Delta

I’d love to talk with you about this initial itinerary and how we can work together and design a photo tours just for you!
415-331-3791 or 800-403-7190 (USA/Canada)

Adam Smith

Adam Smith, Photo Guide

Day 01

Memphis

Arrival in Memphis. On arrival, you will be met and assisted by our office representative to your hotel (Rooms will be available from 1400 Hrs).

Your accommodation is located near historic Beale Street where we will begin shooting street musicians followed by an orientation of the tour over dinner. Afterwards, we visit blues bars for as long as each of us last.

Overnight in the Hotel

Guitar

Bruce Janklow, Photo Tour Participant

Day 02

Memphis – Mississippi Hill Country – Holly Springs

We leave Memphis early, to travel into the Hill Country of Mississippi where the likes of Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside, and Otha Turner roamed and played the distinctive Hill Country Blues.

On our first stop we submerge ourselves into the world of Gospel music and fellowship at Rev. John Wilkins’ church. Rev. Wilkins is also an active touring Blues musician. Our group will be warmly welcomed into the church community and will have special access to photograph this authentic “old-time” gospel service with an amazing blues combo providing live music to accompany the equally amazing choir.

Later in the day, we drive to Holly Springs, Mississippi with plenty of photographic opportunities along our route. Once in Holly Springs we will meet the Burnside family, who carry on the rich blues tradition of their father RL, in their Juke Joint. We will learn about Hill Country Blues and listen to live music by Duwayne Burnside, Gary Burnside and several others in the Hill Country Blues scene. “Hanging out” with the Burnsides and capturing images of them and their club as they play just for our group is a special and unique opportunity.
Holly Springs is a traditional photogenic town built around a square where folks are more than happy to be neighborly, chat and just maybe pose.

We will then travel by van to meet one of the last original playing members of Otha Turner’s Fife and Drum Band.

Overnight in the Hotel

Gospel music

Bruce Janklow, Photo Tour Participant

Day 03

Holly Springs – Oxford

We drive onward to Oxford, home of The University of Mississippi, where we will tour the Campus. Discover and photograph the picturesque grounds of Rowen Oak, William Faulkner’s house and meet with Blues Historian and recent recipient of the Governors award for preserving the Blues in Mississippi, Scott Baretta. He will talk to us about the history of Mississippi Blues. Afterwards, we tour the square of Oxford and eat at the famous City Grocery. All along the way we will be stopping as we find interesting subject matter to shoot.

Overnight in the Hotel

Guitar

Adam Smith, Photo Guide

Day 04

Oxford – Clarksdale

While traveling to Clarksdale, we will track down the elusive Leo Bud Welch who at well over 80 is still a free spirit and plays regularly locally and nationally. We’ll probably find him but there’s no guarantee. Assuming the spirit moves him, Leo will play for us as he shares stories about gigs. This tableau provides an incredible opportunity and background for memorable portraits.

For the next two days, we will be exploring the town of Clarksdale and surrounding area driving down Hwy 61 and 49 searching for the crossroads where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his amazing guitar skills. We will view and shoot the blues murals of Tutwiler and shoot the incredible landscapes of the Delta.

We will be hanging out with Bluesman Super Chikan who is known far and wide, not only for his playing, but also for the handmade electric guitars he fashions out of unexpected materials. Chikan loves to hold forth while he delivers a few licks in his converted chicken coop workshop.
In the evening we will have dinner and conversations with Clarksdale’s loquacious mayor Bill Lucket, dining at his blues club, Ground Zero, that he owns in partnership with actor Morgan Freeman.

Overnight in the Hotel

Web CrossRoads

Adam Smith, Photo Guide
*“The Crossroads” The place in Blues lore where Robert Johnson traded his soul to the devil in return for his amazing guitar skills.

Day 05

Clarksdale

We continue exploring the surrounding area of Clarksdale.

Clarksdale is the focal point of the resurgent blues culture and music scene in the Mississippi Delta. We will take in performances at Red’s as well as Ground Zero”. Clarksdale is also the historic embarkation point where so many thousands of Afro-Americans got on the train or later buses for a new life “up north” in Chicago. Time will be allowed to soak up the vibe in this special town and capture images.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 06

Clarksdale – Merigold – Cleveland

Today we drive deeper into the Delta, stopping to shoot as we come across agricultural and other landscapes and the amazing remaining sharecropper shacks and other falling down buildings. We end up in Merigold where we will be spending the evening in one of the last real deal juke joints in Mississippi. Thursday is the night when “Po Monkey” one of the last of the authentic juke joints is traditionally open for business. This is a not to be missed chance to experience another aspect of the historic Delta life, drink a couple of cold ones, maybe play a couple of racks of pool and come away with images.

Overnight in the Hotel

Duck Holmes

Bruce Janklow, Photo Tour Participant

Day 07

Cleveland – Yazoo City

On the last day of our tour, we head to Yazoo City. Along the way we will stop for planned and unplanned photo opportunities that will produce portfolio images and create lasting impressions of this fading stronghold of regional culture as we meander on and off the famous Blues Highway. Later we will meet Jimmy “Duck” Holmes at his Juke Joint, the Blue Front Cafe. Duck will probably talk about the history of his joint which thrived over the years by being located next to a station where cotton was weighed. When we show interest in his playing and buy a couple of CD’s, Duck will likely play a little for us and provide yet another opportunity for shots.

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 08

Yazoo City – Depart Jackson

Transfer to the airport for your flight onwards.

 


ACCOMMODATIONS

Location

Accommodations

Meals

Memphis
The Westin or Hampton Inn
 D
Holly Springs
Court Square Inn
B
Oxford
The Graduate
B
Clarksdale
Shack Up Inn
B, D
Cleveland
The Hampton Inn
B, D
Yazoo City
The Hampton Inn
B

Prices depend on dates, travel season and number of travelers.

Let’s talk soon about a photo tour customized for you and fellow travelers: 415-331-3791 or 800-403-7190 (USA/Canada)

Email us directly: A Different Perspective

FOR DEPOSIT ONLY Reserve Your Space Today

A deposit of $625.00 per person is required along with the Booking Form and the below signed Terms/Conditions Agreement Form to confirm a space on this tour. If there are two travelers on one form, the person signing assumes full financial responsibility.

Deposit Per Person: $625.00

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