The Southern Documentary Project
TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STORYTELLERS
This past weekend Scott Barretta and Highway 61 hosted the third Sunset Summer Series with a show featuring Reverend John Wilkins. Enthusiasm was as high as the heat index as everyone enjoyed Reverend Wilkins’ blues infused gospel. Reverend Wilkins is the pastor of the Hunter’s Chapel Church in Como, MS and Highway 61 can be heard Saturday nights at 10pm on Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
Dr. David Evans, professor of ethnomusicology at the University of Memphis, delivered the keynote address at the recent Blues Today Symposium here at the University of Mississippi. Highway 61 Radio producers Joe York and Eric Feldman were there to record the proceedings. Check back for more from the Blues Symposium later this week and be sure to visit highway61radio.com
Highway 61 Radio was sad to learn this morning that Mississippi bluesman Willie King passed away this past weekend. Over the years Willie has been a great friend of the show and we have featured him on the program many times. He will be greatly missed.
A few years back Highway 61 producer Joe York and Preston Lauterbach produced a short film about Willie called “The Real Baptizing”. We hope it brings back good memories for you as it does for us and we ask that you keep Willie, his family, and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
For more information visit highway61radio.com
The Real Baptizing from Highway61 on Vimeo.
Highway 61 Radio producers Joe York and Eric Feldman kept busy last week documenting all the activity surrounding the latest Blues Today: Living Blues Symposium. Throughout the coming week we’ll be posting videos of all of the events and panels from the symposium, beginning with this video of the dedication of a Mississippi Blues Trail Marker honoring the University of Mississippi’s commitment to “Documenting the Blues”.
MDP production “Highway 61” was represented at the UM Blues Trail Marker ceremony. “Highway 61” host and former Living Blues editor Scott Barretta served as the master of ceremonies, welcoming former magazine editors and blues enthusiasts alike.
Scott Barretta and Eric Feldman are in the studio this week producing a Highway 61 featuring folklorist George Mitchell and music from the Blues Today Conference. Highway 61 is produced here at the Media and Documentary Projects Center and airs each Saturday night at 10pm on Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
