B.B. Sings the Blues in Indianola, Miss.



B.B. King sings his trademark The Thrill is Gone at his annual Homecoming Festival in Indianola, Miss. All proceeds from the event benefitted the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center that is slated to open in 2007.

This past weekend took The Delta Dirt Duo to Fletcher Park in Indianola, home of legendary blues musician B.B. King. He plays in his hometown once a year as a fundraiser for the town and as a service to the local children and their pocketbooks.

As suspected, King played a few songs to open the show and quickly changed the focus to the children. He played host to his annual children's dance contest, complete with the passing-out of $5 bills to those brave enough to make it on stage.

As for the music, the King sounded great considering his ripe old age of 80. Although he didn't play much on his infamous Lucille, his voice was strong and the large band and horn section more than accompanied the legend.

The night was an overall success, despite the beer vendor running out of Bud Lights in the cool new alumnium bottles and my having to revert to Michelob Ultra in a can. A fireworks display was also an added surprise; I have to admit that I wasn't expecting pyrotechnics.

As a first-time Homecoming attendee, I was impressed with the size of the crowd and the overall management of the festival. There were more than enough port-a-potties, ample parking and quality opening acts. A preliminary course of delicious fried food at Pea Soup's also added to the night's success.

Considering that there was nothing happening in the metropolis of Greenwood last Friday, I can't think of anywhere I would rather have been than listening to the King of the Blues belting out those infamous words, "I don't care if you're young or old. Everybody get together and let the good times roll."

Let the good times roll, indeed.

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