Clarksdale Walk of Fame
| Clarksdale Walk of Fame | |
|---|---|
| Sponsored by | The Clarksdale/Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce |
| Location | Clarksdale, Mississippi |
| Country | United States |
| Reward(s) | Bronze plaque embedded into the sidewalk |
| First awarded | 2008 |
The Clarksdale Walk of Fame honors notable people from Clarksdale, Mississippi who've made their mark on the culture of Clarksdale. It was created in 2008 by the Clarksdale/Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce as a self-guided walking tour in an effort to increase foot traffic in downtown Clarksdale.[1] The plaques are located near a site of historical significance associated with the honoree.[2] Singer Sam Cooke received the first plaque, dedicated outside the New Roxy theater where he once performed.[3]
Also in Clarksdale is the Blues Alley Walk of Fame which was a precursor to the Clarksdale Walk of Fame. Blues musician John Lee Hooker and the Texas-based rock band ZZ Top were honored. ZZ Top helped raise $1 million in support of the Delta Blues Museum, they have a plaque at the Carnegie Public Library (former location of the museum).[4]
Inductees
| Honoree | Location |
|---|---|
| Sam Cooke[3] | New Roxy Theater, 357 Issaquena Avenue |
| Son House[1] | Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art, 252 Delta Avenue |
| Muddy Waters[5] | Clarksdale Station Train Depot, Blues Alley |
| Tennessee Williams[1] | St. George's Episcopal Church Rectory, 108 Sharkey Avenue |
| John Clark[6] | Clark House, 211 Clark Street |
| Early Wright[1] | Alcazar Hotel, 127 Third Street |
| Charlie Conerly[6] | Hambone Art Gallery, 111 East 2nd Street |
| Perian Conerly[6] | Hambone Art Gallery, 111 East 2nd Street |
| Dr. Aaron Henry[6] | Martin Luther King Boulevard and Ashton Alley |
| Ike Turner[7] | Delta Blues Museum, 1 Blues Alley |
| Super Chikan[8] | Ground Zero Blues Club, 0 Blues Alley |
| Big Jack Johnson[6] | Red's Blues Club, 398 Sunflower Ave |
References
- ^ a b c d King, Stephen A. (2011). I'm Feeling the Blues Right Now: Blues Tourism in the Mississippi Delta. Univ. Press of Mississippi. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-61703-011-6.
- ^ "Sam Cooke Walk of Fame Marker - Delta Blues Museum". Delta Blues Museum.
- ^ a b Gage, Justin; Gage, Melissa (2009). Explorer's Guide Memphis & the Delta Blues Trail: A Great Destination (Explorer's Great Destinations). The Countryman Press. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-58157-923-9.
- ^ Yonke, David (September 9, 2009). "ZZ Top: Rocking Hard Since '69". Delta Blues Museum.
- ^ "Clarksdale: Moving Past the Crossroads". Memphis magazine. March 3, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Two historic marker dedications kick off Sunflower Blues Fest activities August 12". Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival. July 28, 2011.
- ^ "Featured Marker: Ike Turner". Mississippi Blues Trail.
- ^ "CLARKSDALE: Walk of Fame dedication for SUPER CHIKAN, 11am". Mississippi Blues Trail.