Watcha Been Doin In and Around Clarkdale?
Posted 7-7-11
→DELTA BOHEMIAN SCENE PHOTOS AND LOST DUCK VIDEO INCLUDED←
So, what have you been doin’ in and around Clarksdale and Coahoma County and beyond? The long days of summer are upon us and movement around town is slow and laid back. In fact, Clarksdale seems a bit deserted. Wait, could it be that Poor William and Magical Madge have been holed up inside the Salon de Boheme caught up in family and life. Yeah. I’d say you are correct.
However, Poor William did happen upon the wonderful Missie Craig’s Going Away We Appreciate You More Than You Will Know and We Will Miss You Bunches Retirement Party as Library Director for Clarksdale’s Carnegie Public Library. Missie, say it ain’t so!!! We will miss you very, very much!!!
Our best to Sarah Crisler-Ruskey who will be the new Assistant Director of the library. We know you will do a fine job, Sarah. See ya around the stacks!
Poor William enjoyed three fine weeks frolicking with 3 of his 4 wonderful children. Many an hour was spent in Redbone and Miss Cheri’s fine cement pond. Ahhhh, Summertime.
The Delta Bohemian ran into Delta Bohemian Photographer Chuck Lamb and his fair maiden, also a Delta Bohemian, Rosemary Craven Dill at the Delta Blues Museum during the recent Son House: A Retrospective – Photo Exhibit Opening Reception with the great Dick Waterman in attendance. We were triply impressed with Sir Chuck’s camera and it’s vice-like contraption which allowed for a landscape/portrait/landscape/portrait lightening switcharoo while never moving his equally impressive flash…all the while his fair maiden held in her hand, much like our Lady Liberty, a stealth remote flash with secret properties. We asked Chuck to supply us with a few of his snapshots from the night and he obliged our request. Thanks, Chuck, for helping us out!!

Corinne Vance, Delta Bohemian Young and Free Columnist. Photo taken in 1996 by Delta Bohemian Chuck Lamb Lambsphoto.com
Please visit Chuck’s website, http://www.lambsphoto.com. Chuck has been perfecting his amazing craft for many years in his successful business, Lambs Photography. He loves his work and is a great guy, too. If you have a party you want to remember, a special event, a wedding, or you just want some up-to-date shots of yourself or a loved one, Chuck is the man in these parts! Visit his studio at 108 Leflore Avenue in downtown Clarksdale or call Chuck at 662-902-7105 or try his email, [email protected].
Check out this photograph to the right taken by Chuck of YOUNG & FREE writer Corinne Vance back in 1996ish when she was around 4 years old. What a great moment in time you captured.
Also, check out Poor Williams’ LOST DUCKS VIDEO. Too cute.
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Rust is on VACATION!
CLOSED until Wednesday, July 13th at 6pm!
Thursday, July 14th – Justin Zamm, 7pm
Saturday, July 16th – Heather Crosse & Lee Williams, 7:30pm
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THE DEN – New! (220 Yazoo, Clarksdale)
The new annex of the Rock ‘n Blues Museum. Saturday nights: live music TBA 7:00-10:00pm. Non-smoking, family oriented environment.
THURSDAY, JULY 7th IS THE TIME TO CHECK OUT THE DEN!!!
SPECIAL EVENT: SUMMER BLOWOUT BLUES JAM
Thursday 7:10-Midnight, July 7th at THE DEN
Congratulations, Paula!
THE LINE UP – WOW!
7:10pm-7: 30pm Heather Crosse/Heavy Suga’ & the Sweet Tones
7:40pm-8:00pm Mr. Johnny Billington
8:15pm-8: 35pm Bill “Howl-N-Mad” Perry
8:50pm-9: 10pm Richard “Daddy Rich” Crisman
9:20pm-9: 40pm James “Super Chikan” Johnson
9:55pm-10: 15pm Anthony “Big A” Sherrod
10:30pm-10: 50pm All Night Long Blues Band
11:10pm-11: 30pm TCB Blues Band
11:40pm-12:00am Joshua “Razor Blade” Stewart
Thursday night in Clarksdale, there is a Blues Jam to raise funds for a 15 year old young lady, Paula, who has been chosen to return to Berkelee School of Music for a second year. Although she has received a scholarship, she has to cover some of her own expenses which is the reason for this event.
The Den is a venue which has been restored and is owned by Theo and Cindy Dashbach who also own the Blues & Rock Museum. THE DEN IS A SMOKE FREE, ALCOHOL FREE, FAMILY FRIENDLY venue with a “water bar”, soft drinks and snacks.
All help will be appreciated. If someone wants to make a donation but cannot attend, please call Maie Smith, 662-624-6820. Or mail donations to P O Box 459, Clarksdale, MS 38614…..clearly marked “for Paula-Berklee”.

Paula Thompson receiving her 2010 summer scholarship this spring with (from left) Berklee professor Lenny Stallworth, Delta Blues Museum director Shelley Ritter, and Delta Blues Museum's gift shop director Christopher Coleman. Photo courtesy of Berklee Blogs
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BLUESBERRY CAFE (Yazoo Street, Clarksdale, 662-627-7008)
Monday Spaghetti night: Live music with Sean “Bad” Apple
You never know what surprise musicians will show up here!
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HOPSON COMMISSARY
Monday nights: Acoustic music with RONNIE DREW and complimentary hors d’oeuvres!
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HAMBONE ART GALLERY
Tuesdays nights: live blues or roots music. 7:00PM til …
July 12th – Bill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry
July 19th – Sean “Bad” Apple
July 26th – Anthony “Big A” Sherrod
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CAT HEAD DELTA BLUES AND FOLK ART STORE
Saturdays: (non-event weekends) PIANO RED 12:00PM
CHECK OUT Cat Head’s amazing listing of LIVE MUSIC IN THE DELTA.
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RED’S BLUES LOUNGE
Corner of Sunflower Avenue and MLK Dr.
Friday, July 8th – James “T-MODEL” Ford & Stud
Saturday, July 9th – Robert “WOLFMAN” Belfour
Live Music Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Often Red’s has music on Sunday nights and Wednesday nights.
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Wednesday – Saturday nights: Live Music. Check the GZBC website for up-to-date event information.
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…………UPCOMING EVENTS TO PLAN FOR per CATHEAD website………..
July 22-24 – Friday through Sunday – SECOND ANNUAL OXFORD BLUES FEST
Oxford, Mississippi
www.oxfordbluesfest.com
Annual blues festival. 662-259-7190. GREAT LINE-UP includes Magic Slim, Eddie C. Campbell, Duwayne Burnside, Mark “Mule Man” Massey, Aaron Moore, Nellie “Tiger” Travis, King Edward, Dennis Fountain, AM Band, Hancock Company, Effie Burt, Ginger St. James, Cadillac Funk, Heavy Suga, Ben Peyton, Kenny Brown, Afrissippi, John Kun, Maybellelovers, Jay Lang, Terry “Big T” Williams, Billy Earnhardt, Patrick McClary, Marlena Jarjoura and more!!
July 23 – Friday – WEVL’s Blues on the Bluff
Memphis, Tennessee
http://www.wevl.org/bob/
23rd annual event on the grounds of the Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis. Starring the Bo Keys, Blind Mississippi Morris and Lightnin’ Malcolm & Cameron Kimbrough! 6pm-11pm. See web site for details.
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DELTA BOHEMIAN SCENES
↓↓↓ Watch This Video ↓↓↓
- Florence Corinne Vance, Delta Bohemian Young & Free Columnist. Photo taken in 1997 by Delta Bohemian Chuck Lamb of http://www.lambsphoto.com
- Fran and Tom Ross of Clarksdale. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Poor William, Bethany and Will Howell with Randall Andrews in his studio on Sunflower Avenue in Clarksdale. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Clarksdale artist Randall Andrews in his studio with Linden Howell on Sunflower Avenue. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Clarksdale artist Randall Andrews in his studio on Sunflower Avenue. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Delta Bohemian Jimmy Carter from Jackson, MS at the Shack Up Inn. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Poor William, Magical Madge and Delta Bohemian Jimmy Carter at the Shack Up Inn. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Robin Carter, Delta Bohemian Jimmy Carter, ?, Debbie Sadler and ?. We can’t remember everyone’s names. Jimmy is a high school buddy of Magical Madge’s who stayed at the Shack Up Inn with his wife and three other couples. They all live in Jackson. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Delta Bohemian Will Howell. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Delta Bohemian Linden Howell. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Delta Bohemian Linden Howell. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Delta Bohemian Linden Howell. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Delta Bohemian Bethany Howell and Rebel Marley. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Delta Bohemian Bethany Howell and Rebel Marley. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Who is the cool chick who owns the Indy Pace Car…a REAL one?! Tell us Chad. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Magical Madge, Ginger Bass and Randall Andrews in downtown Clarksdale. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Three of the four Howell children: Will, Lindy and Bethany near the Great Divide in Friars Point. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Three of the four Howell children, Bethan, Will and Linden near the Great Divide in Friars Point. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Choppers in a cotton field near Friars Point, Mississippi in the heart of the Delta. June 2011. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Choppers in a cotton field near Friars Point, Mississippi in the heart of the Delta. June 2011. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Choppers in a cotton field near Friars Point, Mississippi in the heart of the Delta. June 2011. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Poor William looking like Poor William. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Poor William and Fat Clyde observing the firemen after they battled a transformer fire. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Mattie Louise Tomlinson, grandmother to Poor William. This photograph hangs in the Carnegie Public Library honoring her as a past employee there. Read more about here at https://deltabohemian.com/mattie-louise-mattered/
- Delta Bohemian Missie Craig and guests enjoying her going away party as the Director of the Clarksdale Carnegie Public Library. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Guests at the going away party for Delta Bohemian Missie Craig, retiring Director for the Clarksdale Carnegie Public Library. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Delta Bohemian Missie Craig ‘plainin’ things to Bill Bradley during her retirement party as the Director of Clarksdale’s Carnegie Public Library. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Clarksdale Revitalization Inc’s Jimmy Giles, Coahoma County Supervisors Paul Pearson and Chris Overton at going away party for Missie Craig. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- A bounty from Poor William’s garden at the Salon de Boheme. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Delta Bohemian Annsley Agostinelli looking beautiful in her Delta Bohemian Tshirt! Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- A lost little baby duck. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- A little duckie in the pond at the Salon de Boheme. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Poor William riding his bike in the Mississippi Delta and clearing his mind. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- The Howell’s: Bethany, Linden, Martha Jane, Will and Poor William. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Local Clarksdale artist Randall Andrews in his studio on Sunflower Avenue. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Local Clarksdale artist Randall Andrews in his studio on Sunflower Avenue. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
- Delta Bohemian, Semi-Fixture and NOLA resident Toddy Cameron visits with Dick Waterman. Photo by Delta Bohemian Chuck Lamb
- Community Foundation of North Mississippi President Tom Pittman listening to Clarksdale Attorney and Delta Bohemian Rob Tyner. Photo by Delta Bohemian Chuck Lamb
- Musician Bill Abel with Delta Bohemian Toddy Cameron and Dick Waterman visiting in the background. Photo by Delta Bohemian Chuck Lamb
- Magical Madge and Poor William Howell with Bethany Howell. Photo by Delta Bohemian Chuck Lamb
- L to R: Delta Blues Museum President Bill Gresham, Community Foundation of North Mississippi President Tom Pittman, Delta Bohemian Rob Tyner, Delta Bohemian and Director of Delta Blues Museum Shelley Ritter, Delta Blues Museum Board Member Dr. Frank Marascalco, Photographer and Archivisit Dick Waterman at the SON HOUSE: A Retrospective Opening Reception, June 2011. Photo by Delta Bohemian Chuck Lamb
- Delta Bohemian Shelley Ritter, Director of the Delta Blues Museum, Attorney Bill Bradley and Dick Waterman. Photo by Delta Bohemian Chuck Lamb
- Delta Blues Museum Director Shelley Ritter and Photographer/Archivist Dick Waterman. Photo by Delta Bohemian Chuck Lamb
- Cinda and Photographer/Archivist Dick Waterman. Photo by Delta Bohemian Chuck Lamb
- Pictured left to right, Justin and Nathan (grandsons), Mrs. Parkey, Lorie Mayo, Rodney Parkey, and Brian Mayo
- Ride in style like “Super Chikan” Johnson with this electric 4×4 from Cammo Small Engines in Clarksdale.
- Poor William with his beautiful children, Galilee, Linden, Will and Bethany in Couer d’Alene, Idaho for Galilee’s graduation from high school. Photo by The Delta Bohemian
Delta Bohemian, rider of the Honda VTX 1800 (like his podna Poor William), man of many talents, and all around great guy, Brian “Big B” Mayo, owner and operator of Cammo Small Engines, located at 445 Jefferson Avenue in Clarksdale, Mississippi, recently had the privilege of presenting Mr. And Mrs. Rodney Parkey from Scobey, MS with a RFDTV Bad Boy Mower worth $8,000.Parkey entered the Bad Boy Zero-Turn Mower and Utility Vehicle contest.
Bad Boy, Inc., the makers of Bad Boy Mowers, located in Batesville, Arkansas, began operations only 13 years ago, and now comprises over 200,000 square feet in Batesville.
Mayo’s motto at Cammo Small Engines is, “If we ain’t got it, can’t get it, you don’t need it!” Cammo offers sales, service, and repairs on all types of small engines and power equipment.
Big B works on Poor William’s motorcycle, and he is kinda particular about who touches the V-Twin vibrating monster. For all your sales and service needs, give Cammo a call and let them put their 21-years of experience to work for you! And, tell ‘em Poor William sent ya!
Cammo Small Engines, 662-627-7305, www.cammos.com, [email protected]

Ride in style like "Super Chikan" Johnson with this electric 4x4 from Cammo Small Engines in Clarksdale.
WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE COMMENTS!!
Thanks for the latest DB. Three things: Awesome vegetables from y’all’s garden (I’m impressed), interesting contemporary cotton chopping photos, and a big congrats to Missie and team on their retirements!
Thanks, Roger. Missie’s retirement was under the radar for me, unfortunately. AND I had no idea anyone else retired!!! Who else retired? I hated I missed the celebration.
You like tomatoes?! We have some plus a big pot of fresh vegetable soup. Want some?
Here’s info on the retirements at the library (via http://blog.libraryjournal.com):
“Four longtime staffers are retiring from Carnegie Public Library (CPL), Clarksdale, MS. Missie Craig, Director, has worked at CPL from 1974–85 and from 1995 to the present. Charlotte Huddleston has been Technical Services Librarian for 40 years. Linda White has been Reference Librarian for 41 years. Carolyn Williams has been Technical Services Assistant for 26 years. Carrie Peggs is named Interim Director and Sarah Ruskey is Assistant Director.” They had a very nice (and nicely attended) retirement event at the library.
ALSO, I’m a CRAZY about homegrown tomatoes… and veggie soup sounds awesome. Please! (I’ll happily trade you a Cat Head hat or shirt or something.)
Now that I know where your info is located, I’ll be back
Thanks for including me with two of our local “City Fathers”
both of whom are high on my list of people who have the best interest of C’dale at heart.
Y’all are doing a great job with your site…..keep on doing what you’re doing.
Jimmy