We Got the Blues*

Mississippi is known for its rich heritage, profound history, and warm hospitality. Mississippi has produced many people who have accomplished great feats. Perhaps the greatest of these feats is helping define the way music is today. Mississippi artists are some of the key contributors in the invention of blues music. As students in the state that is said to have done this, we have an unbelievable opportunity at our disposal that we should probably make the most of. You may be thinking that Blues music is outdated and no longer relevant to our musical culture. Well I am here to tell you to think again. Blues music is still very relevant to us here at Ole Miss, mostly because of the region of the country we live in. We are students in Mississippi, so why not enjoy and come to appreciate the state’s culture? I am going to answer three questions that may be thinking as you are reading this.

Question: Why does it matter that we care about blues music?

Answer: It is the absolute backbone of what music is today. When you are jamming to Lil’ Wayne, Theory of a Deadman, Michael Jackson, or any other artist or band of the last couple decades, you are really jamming to blues greats like Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, or B.B. King. Blues artists like this created the general structure of the songs you listen to today. Without these blues artists, there would be no songs like there are today.

Question: What can you do to appreciate blues music?

Answer: Listen to it. After all, that is how you appreciate music, isn’t it? At the University of Mississippi, we have the Blues Archive. It is the largest collection of recordings, videos, articles, and books about the blues in the world. Yes, I said largest in the WORLD. Bet you didn’t know that, huh? It is kind of wrong to NOT stop by and see what it’s all about. Located in the third floor of the library, the blues archive is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday-Friday.

Question: How do I experience even more about the Blues?

Answer: Oxford is located about an hour from the Mississippi Delta, where the Blues is said to have been born. Throughout the Delta and the rest of the state of Mississippi, there is something called the Mississippi Blues Trail. It has about a hundred stops on it at every historically blues-related place in the state. In the delta, however, is the majority of the Trail. Have a Saturday to do something entertaining? Drive to some of these places and learn more about the rich culture we have in this great state.

College is all about learning more and broadening your horizons, right? Why not experience something like this when it is basically at your fingertips? Oxford has a modern blues artist playing at a bar or restaurant almost every night. If nothing else, go listen to them. Blues is still a huge part in Mississippi culture today, so let’s embrace it. Take pride in your state and its culture. Listen to some old blues while you study. Check out the Blues Archive on campus. Make the short drive to some of the stops on the Mississippi Blues Trail. You will not be disappointed. You will be able to say something people from other colleges could never say—that you had a blast when you got the blues.