Famed blues label is the focus of multimedia project funded by MDNHA
Just in time for Labor Day weekend and Red’s Old Timers Blues Festival in Clarksdale, Delta Blues Museum is unveiling a new traveling exhibit, “Crowin’ About the Blues: The Return of Rooster Blues Records,” along with a new accompanying interactive web feature, panel discussion and educator workshop. The multi-faceted project is funded by an FY26 grant received from the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area and is also sponsored by the Mississippi Blues Foundation.
“Crowin’ About the Blues: The Return of Rooster Blues Records” explores the impact the famed record label had on the blues scene in Chicago as well as Clarksdale, Mississippi. The Rooster label was co-founded in Chicago by Jim O’Neal and Amy van Singel—founders of Living Blues Magazine—along with Mick and Cilla Huggins before being relocated to Clarksdale in 1988. The new exhibit tells the story of the label and the musicians it recorded. The project also features an interactive Explore and Learn educational program as well as a teacher lesson plan and free virtual workshop for educators on September 30 at the museum. Led by veteran educator and University of Mississippi Training Specialist Jennifer Ringo, the interactive workshop is designed to support teachers in integrating blues music, culture and history into the classroom.
- An opening reception for the “Crowin’ About the Blues: The Return of Rooster Blues Records” exhibit will be held on Thursday, September 3 from 5:30–7:30 pm in the museum gallery with live music from John Mohead. The reception is free and open to the public.
- On Friday, September 4 from 2– 3 pm, the museum will host a free panel discussion in the museum classroom featuring Rooster Blues Records co-founder Jim O’Neal along with musicians John Mohead and James “Super Chikan” Johnson. The panel will share insights into Clarksdale’s rich musical heritage, the creation of the record label, and its impact on blues music worldwide.
- The virtual educators’ workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 30 from 4–5 pm and will highlight the new educational materials available for free through the Museum website. This event is ideal for ELA, social studies, and music teachers in grades 4–8, but all subjects and grade levels are welcome. Online registration will be announced soon via the museum website.
Expanding educational programming is a priority for Museum Director Shelley Ritter, who hopes the exhibit and interactive feature will be of interest to other interpretive centers and to educators. “Support from MDNHA allows us to preserve unique, important aspects of Clarksdale’s blues history and share it with the world in person, online, and in the classroom,” Ritter offers. “The Museum’s educational aim is to provide blues fans and those curious about blues history and heritage with a myriad of ways to learn more about this important art form and Clarksdale’s role in it.”
Additionally, all of Delta Blues Museum’s online programming is free to the public—user donations are suggested and appreciated. Online access is available at www.deltabluesmuseum.org/explore-learn.aspx
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