Clarksdale Robert Johnson

Go Down to the Crossroads

Discover Mississippi’s deep and ongoing influence on global music through a unique collaboration between Playing for Change and Visit Mississippi. This special video features musicians from around the world coming together to perform Robert Johnson’s iconic “Cross Road Blues,” one of the most iconic songs in the Delta blues tradition, deeply rooted in the cultural and musical heritage of Mississippi.

Recorded in 1936, the song’s haunting lyrics and masterful guitar work have fueled the enduring legend of Johnson, including the myth that he sold his soul to the devil at a Mississippi crossroads in exchange for his musical prowess. The song was recorded and popularized by Cream (with Eric Clapton) with artists from John Mayer, Rush, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many others offering their interpretations over the years.

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Meet The PERFORMERS

Vasti Jackson

Vasti Jackson

Vasti Jackson is a Mississippi-based guitarist, singer, songwriter and record producer. He has served as musical director and guitarist for Z. Z. Hill, Johnnie Taylor, Denise LaSalle, Little Milton, and Bobby Bland. In the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, his album, The Soul of Jimmie Rodgers, was nominated in the “Best Traditional Blues Album category.” He has also contributed to two Grammy-nominated Bobby Rush albums, Hoochie Man (as co-producer) and Porcupine Meat (as a guest performer).

Keith Johnson

Keith Johnson is an accomplished blues guitarist, harmonic player, singer and songwriter from Cleveland, Mississippi. Johnson is the great nephew of Mississippi blues legend, Muddy Waters, and is keeping his family’s music legacy alive for blues fans around the world. His career has taken him from American blues festival stages to international performances in countries including Brazil, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Germany.

KIRBY

KIRBY, born Kirby Lauryen Dockery, is a singer-songwriter from Southaven, Mississippi. Her songwriting credits include a collaboration with Kanye West, Rihanna, and Paul McCartney for the song “FourFiveSeconds,” Beyoncé’s heartfelt ballad “Die with You,” and Ariana Grande’s “Break Your Heart Right Back.” In 2017, ASCAP honored KIRBY in its “Women Behind the Music” series, celebrating her impact on the industry.

Robin Moxey

Guitarist, singer and songwriter, Robin Moxey, has been involved with Playing For Change since its inception, contributing his producing, mixing, and songwriting talents and also performing live with the Playing for Change band. Moxey is an advocate of arts education and its importance to our future generations, working as a mentor for at-risk youth at S.A.S. Alternative High School in Bothell, Washington.

Sierra Hull

Sierra Hull is a two-time Grammy-nominated mandolin player, singer, and songwriter. Following her Grand Ole Opry debut at just 10 years old, Hull was mentored by legends like Alison Krauss and quickly became a leading voice in progressive acoustic music. In 2016, Hull became the first woman recognized as “Mandolin Player of the Year” at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards, an honor she would go on to win five more times

Charlie Worsham

Charlie Worsham is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Grenada, Mississippi. He is a member of Dierks Bentley’s tour band and a former member of the band Old Crow Medicine Show. His albums, Rubberband and Beginning of Things, showcase his heartfelt songwriting and masterful guitar work. Worsham has also collaborated with artists including Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. In 2024, he was named “Musician of the Year” by the Country Music Association.

Érica Sá

Érica Sá

A native of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, Érica Sá is a percussionist that has performed with the Espírito Santo State Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra Afrosinfônica, and Jam Delas (a collective of women instrumentalists of Salvador). Sá has contributed to numerous Brazilian live concerts and recordings, including a performance on vibes on SOLAR, a Brazilian celebration of the music of Sun Ra.

George Mumford, Jr.

George Mumford, Jr.

Leland, Mississippi native, George Mumford is a versatile bassist and drummer, frequently performing with Keith Johnson and his Big Muddy Band. A dynamic and skilled musician, Mumford recorded drums on Johnson’s “Come to Mississippi” and toured France, Germany, and Switzerland in support of the album, showcasing his talent on international stages and bringing Mississippi blues to a global audience.

Joe Eagle

Joe Eagle

Mound Bayou, Mississippi native Joe Eagle is a seasoned drummer and music industry veteran. He began under Grammy-nominated producer Ed Townsend and went on to share the stage with icons like Little Milton, Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ray Charles, and B.B. King. Beyond music, he is committed to community development, founding the Eagle Music & Media Academy in 1997 to provide career training in entertainment and technology for young people.

Bombino

Bombino

Omara “Bombino” Moctar is a guitarist and singer known for blending traditional Tuareg music with modern rock influences. His distinctive desert blues sound has led to collaborations with music legends, including Keith Richards and Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones and Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Bombino made history in 2018 when his album Deran became the first-ever Grammy-nominated album by an artist from Niger, solidifying his place as a global ambassador of Tuareg music.

Ismail Benaddi and Amine El Alouki

Ismail Benaddi and Amine El Allouki

Ismail Benaddi and Amine El Allouki are Moroccan musicians renowned for their mastery of Gnawa music, a rich spiritual and musical tradition that makes uses of instruments such as the karkaba, a large iron castanet that provides sharp, clashing rhythms. Gnawa music is characterized by lengthy performances, hypnotic rhythms, repetitive melodies, and chanted vocals, often leading to trance-like states among performers and listeners.

Cedric Burnside

Cedric Burnside

Cedric Burnside is a Mississippi musician renowned for his mastery of Hill Country blues. Burnside began his career at the age of 13, drumming for his grandfather, the legendary bluesman R.L. Burnside. His album I Be Trying won a Grammy award for “Best Traditional Blues Album” in 2022, and he has been nominated for Grammys on three other occasions. In addition to his musical achievements, Burnside appeared in the film “Black Snake Moan” and also portrayed the title character in “Texas Red.”

Paulo Heman

Paulo Heman

Paulo Heman, born in Bahia, Brazil, embarked on his musical journey at the age of 14, mastering traditional Brazilian percussion instruments, including the guiro, afoxé, and pandeiro that are integral to Afro-Brazilian music genres such as samba and choro. Heman’s proficiency with these instruments has led him to collaborate and record with some of Brazil’s most esteemed artists, including Elba Ramalho, Pepeu Gomes, Chico Buarque, and Djavan.

Rays Hassan Amegrod

Rays Hassan Amegrod is a Moroccan musician from Essaouira, known for his mastery of the rebab, a traditional bowed string instrument integral to North African music. Deeply connected to the rich musical heritage of Essaouira, he is part of the vibrant Gnawa music scene, which blends African, Berber, and Arabic influences in its hypnotic rhythms and spiritual chants.

Cara de Cobra

Cara de Cobra

Cristiano “Cara de Cobra” Pacheco is a percussionist and music producer from Bahia, Brazil. He has performed with the band Timbalada and collaborated with artists, including Carlinhos Brown, Ivete Sangalo, and Marisa Monte. In 2023, he served as a judge on “Timbrown,” Brazil’s first percussion reality show. Additionally, he is involved in the Ubaque Musical project, a music content hub aimed at strengthening the diverse musical styles of Bahia for both national and international audiences.

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is a singer and guitarist from Clarksdale, Mississippi. His raw talent acquired at an early age has earned him multiple accolades, including a Grammy Award for “Best Contemporary Blues Album” for 662 and two additional Grammy nominations. He has headlined multiple U.S. and European tours, performing with acts including Vampire Weekend, Jason Isbell, Steve Miller, Buddy Guy, and the Rolling Stones.

Shardé Thomas and Chris Mallory

Shardé Thomas Mallory and Chris Mallory

Shardé Thomas Mallory and Chris Mallory are the musicians behind the Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band. Shardé, the granddaughter of legendary Mississippi musician Otha Turner, carries on his legacy preserving the sound and spirit of the North Mississippi Hill Country, blending traditional rhythms with contemporary elements and ensuring the preservation of this historic music style for future generations. Shardé has been featured on three Grammy-nominated recordings.

Moussa Diakate

Moussa Diakite

Moussa Diakite is a guitarist and singer from Mali, known for his unique fusion of traditional West African music and contemporary sounds. Growing up in Mali, he was deeply influenced by the rich musical heritage of Mali’s Wassoulou region. Diakite’s music blends African folk, blues, and rock elements, creating a vibrant and soulful style that has earned him recognition on the international stage. He currently leads the Wassado, a high-energy five-piece Afro fusion funk band.

Keb' Mo'

Keb’ Mo’

Kevin Moore, better known as Keb’ Mo’, is a blues singer and multi-instrumentalist. Over the course of his fifty-year career, he has released multiple critically acclaimed albums and collaborated with a wide range of artists, from Bonnie Raitt to Taj Mahal, receiving 14 Grammy nominations and five Grammy Awards for his music. He actively supports Playing for Change and has been involved with their music education and outreach projects from the very beginning.

Anan Kantawee

Anan Kantawee

Anan Kantawee, born in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is a musician known for blending traditional Thai and Western music. Surrounded by music from a young age, he began playing the Phin, a three-string Thai instrument, later expanding into acoustic folk, jazz, blues, funk, and reggae. After three years as a monk, he returned to music, touring Thailand with his reggae band, The Ugly Bugs. Kantawee moved to the U. S. in 2010, where he continues to perform, write, and evolve as an artist.

explore Mississippi Music Attractions

Elvis Presley’s Birthplace

Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and lived there with his parents in a modest two-room “shotgun house.”  Today, the Elvis Presley Birthplace complex offers visitors a glimpse into Presley’s early years and his ongoing legacy at the birthplace complex which also includes his childhood church, a museum, and events center. Statues throughout the complex document Presley’s rise from an ordinary boy to a global sensation, one of the most popular musical performers of all time.

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B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center

The world-famous “King of the Blues” B.B. King lived in Indianola for many years and never forgot the Mississippi city, returning annually for almost 35 years to perform for free at his B.B. King Homecoming Festival. Today, the bluesman’s legacy is preserved at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center which explores King’s life from his humble beginnings to his eventual success on the global stage as a 15-time GRAMMY winner and multi-platinum recording artist.  Several of King’s guitars are displayed, as are his Grammys and even a recreation of his home studio.

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Dockery Farms

Dockery Farms is one of the specific sites most often singled out as the “birthplace of the blues.” The former cotton plantation and sawmill was established by Will Dockery in 1895, just outside Cleveland, Mississippi. At its peak, Dockery supported more than 2,000 workers and their families, among them Charley Patton, an influential figure regarded as the “Father of the Delta Blues.” Other legendary performers drawn to Dockery include Robert Johnson and Howlin’ Wolf. The property and its eight original buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

 

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Delta Blues Museum

Established in 1979, the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale is the state’s oldest music museum. Permanent exhibits include the core section of a cabin where Muddy Waters lived while working at Stovall Farms; a “Muddywood” guitar made from salvaged wood from the cabin that was donated by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top; guitars that belonged to John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, and Big Joe Williams; and a piano, shoes, harmonica, and other memorabilia from Charlie Musselwhite.

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Grammy Museum Mississippi

When it opened in 2016, GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi was the first GRAMMY Museum to be built outside of Los Angeles. The Cleveland, Mississippi, museum’s displays and interactive exhibits highlight numerous Mississippi GRAMMY winners – and the musical artists they’ve influenced – including many blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and country legends. Look for information about traveling exhibits and live performances on their website.

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Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience

The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, aka “The MAX,” offers visitors an entertaining and interactive experience that showcases Mississippi’s cultural legacy and seeks to inspire a new generation of artists through its exhibits and programs. The centerpiece of the museum is the MAX’s Hall of Fame rotunda, which recognizes world-famous musicians, actors, and media personalities, visual artists, authors, and entertainment legends who trace their roots to Mississippi. Be sure to check out their calendar before you visit, as The MAX hosts regular events, including opportunities to see noteworthy speakers and musical acts.

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100 Men D.B.A. Hall

The 100 Men D.B.A. Hall in Bay Saint Louis has been a hub of African American social life and entertainment since its 1922 construction by the One Hundred Members’ Debating Benevolent Association. Over the years, the hall has hosted performances by legendary performers including Ray Charles, James Brown, Etta James, Big Joe Turner, Professor Longhair, and many more. Today, the hall operates as a nonprofit community-focused organization, music venue, and multipurpose event space.

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Gateway to the Blues Museum

The Gateway to the Blues Museum in Tunica, Mississippi, serves as both a tribute to the Delta’s rich musical heritage and the official Tunica Visitors Center. Housed in a restored 1895 train depot, the museum offers an immersive journey through the history of the Blues, featuring interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and a interactive kiosk where visitors can create their own Blues tracks. As a starting point for exploring the Mississippi Blues Trail, it provides travelers with information on local attractions while celebrating the region’s deep-rooted influence on American music.

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Jimmie Rodgers Museum

Though he lived only 35 years, Jimmie Rodgers had an immeasurable impact on the formation and development of country music, earning him widely accepted recognition as the “Father of Country Music.” The Jimmie Rodgers Museum, located in Rodgers’ hometown of Meridian, displays his original guitar and other memorabilia of his life and career. The museum’s collection also includes railroad equipment from the era of steam-engine travel, reflecting Rodgers’ work as a rail worker and his nickname “The Singing Brakeman.”

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The Crossroads Sign

Clarksdale is best known among music fans as the “birthplace of the blues” and the city where Robert Johnson, according to a popular legend, sold his soul to the devil in exchange for supernatural guitar playing talent. While the story is fictional, it has nonetheless captured the imagination of blues fans around the world. Travelers often come to take a photo near “The Crossroads” sign that marks the spot (one of them, anyway) where this exchange is said to have taken place.

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Support Mississippi Music and Musicians

Follow Your Heart Arts Program

The Follow Your Heart Arts Program is a music education and advocacy program located in north Mississippi and available, free of charge, to elementary and high school students several north Mississippi communities. The program, which was founded by Mississippi musician Charlie Worsham, enlists music education majors from local universities to teach students the basics of instrumental performance on the guitar and ukulele. The program also provides participants with a deeper understanding of Mississippi’s rich musical heritage and invite them to explore the many careers available within today’s music industry.

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Playing for Change Foundation

Playing For Change Foundation is a global nonprofit organization offering creative opportunities for marginalized youth through 34 programs in 25 countries benefiting more than 15,000 people every year. The organization develops music education programs in areas that are often rich in cultural traditions but limited in economic resources. Programs are free to children and provide instruction in vocals, dance, a wide range of instruments, and music theory, using music as a tool to create positive sustainable change.

 

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Mississippi Music Foundation

The Mississippi Music Foundation is dedicated to supporting musicians through education, funding, and recognition. Their mission is to provide learning opportunities via seminars, online resources, and conferences, helping individuals explore various music genres, master instruments, and understand Mississippi’s rich musical heritage. A key initiative is the Money Match program, which matches up to 50% of funds raised by artists to help complete recordings. In addition to fostering education and artist development, the foundation oversees the annual Mississippi Music Awards, celebrating the state’s diverse and influential musical talent.

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Mississippi John Hurt Foundation

The Mississippi John Hurt Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the musical legacy of Mississippi John Hurt, an influential country blues musician from Avalon, Mississippi. The organization provides educational programs for disadvantaged youth, helping them learn about blues music and performance. Each year, the Foundation hosts the Mississippi John Hurt Music Festival to celebrate his enduring influence. The Foundation is currently raising funds to rebuild the their Mississippi John Hurt Museum after it was destroyed by a tragic fire in early 2024.

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Pinetop Perkins Foundation

The Pinetop Perkins Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of legendary blues pianist Pinetop Perkins and supporting the next generation of blues musicians. Based in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the Foundation provides educational programs, including the annual Master Class Workshop Series, where young musicians learn from seasoned blues artists. It also offers scholarships to help aspiring musicians further their studies. Additionally, the Foundation works to support aging musicians, reflecting Pinetop Perkins’ lifelong dedication to the blues community.

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Mississippi Music Institute

The Mississippi Music Institute (MMI) is a Jackson-based nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering excellence in the musical and performing arts across Mississippi. Since its founding in 2011, MMI has provided performance opportunities for over 5,000 musicians through community ensembles, education programs, and professional development resources. Its flagship ensemble, the Mississippi Alumni Allstar Band (MAAB), has built a national presence, and its annual Independence Showcase has grown into a major event uniting bands across the South.

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Mississippi Blues Foundation

The nonprofit Mississippi Blues Foundation promotes Blues music for tourism, education, preservation, and economic development. A key initiative is its Benevolence Fund, which has provided over $150,000 in direct assistance to Blues musicians facing hardships such as medical expenses, loss of instruments, and housing needs. Funded through donations and the sale of Mississippi Blues Trail license plates, the Foundation ensures that 100% of contributions go directly to helping musicians in need, preserving the legacy of the Blues and supporting those who keep its traditions alive.

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Robert Johnson Blues Foundation

The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the legendary bluesman through education, community engagement, and the arts. Based in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, the foundation provides scholarships, hosts competitions, and develops arts programs aimed at preventing high school dropouts, bridging generations, and fostering cultural awareness in Copiah County. The Foundation operates a small museum in Crystal Springs and is currently raising funds to create a Robert Johnson Blues Park to uplift the community and foster improved economic opportunities and self-expression among local residents.

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Central Mississippi Blues Society

The Central Mississippi Blues Society, based in Jackson, is dedicated to preserving and promoting the blues while supporting the local music community through charitable initiatives. The nonprofit society provides performance opportunities for musicians, fosters blues education, and offers financial assistance to artists in need. Their outreach efforts include hosting live blues events, supporting young musicians through scholarships and mentorship programs, and aiding musicians facing hardships to ensure that Mississippi’s rich blues heritage continues to thrive while uplifting the artists who keep the tradition alive.

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