The Mississippi Blues Trail was created by the Mississippi Blues Commission in 2006 to place interpretive markers at the most notable historical sites related to the birth, growth, and influence of the blues throughout (and in some cases beyond) the state of Mississippi . Within the state the trail extends from the Gulf Coast north along several highways to (among other points) Natchez , Vicksburg , Jackson , Leland, Greenwood, Clarksdale, Tunica, Grenada, Oxford, Columbus, and Meridian. The largest concentration of markers is in the Mississippi Delta , but other regions of the state are also commemorated. Several out-of-state markers have also been erected where blues with Mississippi roots has had significance, such as Chicago .
41-763: The list of markers and locations was developed by a panel of blues scholars and historians. The trail has been implemented in stages as funds have become available. The National Endowment for the Arts , National Endowment for the Humanities , and Mississippi Department of Transportation have provided grants for funding of various markers, which are co-sponsored with funds from local communities. The marker texts are researched and written by Jim O'Neal and Scott Barretta, former editors of Living Blues magazine, together with an editorial and design team that has included Wanda Clark; Chrissy Wilson; Allan Hammons; and Sylvester Oliver. Prior to
82-573: A budget that retained NEA funding. The White House budget proposed for fiscal year 2018 again called for elimination of funding, but Congress retained the funding for another year. Nancy Hanks , the second chairman, was appointed by President Richard Nixon, continuing her service under Gerald Ford. During her eight-year tenure, the NEA's funding increased from $ 8 million to $ 114 million. According to Elaine A. King : Kansas Joe McCoy Wilbur Joe "Kansas Joe" McCoy (May 11, 1905 – January 28, 1950)
123-459: A compromise bill to save the Endowment. The Williams-Coleman substitute increased funding to states arts councils for new programs to expand access to the arts in rural and inner city areas, leave the obscenity determination to the courts, and altered the composition of the review panels to increase diversity of representation and eradicate the possibility of conflicts of interest. After fierce debate,
164-556: A gospel singer. By the end of 2016, the Mississippi Blues Trail had placed nearly 200 markers. They honored individual artists, clubs, record companies, radio stations, and historic events, but also the plantations, streets, cities, and counties that developed as centers of blues activity. Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman was also commemorated, as folklorists such as Alan Lomax recorded blues there by inmates (most notably Bukka White ) on several occasions, dating to
205-473: A guitarist better known as Memphis Minnie , and their 1930 recording of the song "Bumble Bee" for Columbia Records was a hit . In 1930, the couple moved to Chicago, where they were an important part of the burgeoning blues scene there. After they were divorced, McCoy teamed up with his brother to form the Harlem Hamfats , a band that performed and recorded during the second half of the 1930s. In 1936,
246-558: A recording of " When the Levee Breaks ," by McCoy and Memphis Minnie, which was in his personal collection, to guitarist Jimmy Page , who revamped the music, and the band recorded it, with most of the original lyrics, for Led Zeppelin's 1971 album, Led Zeppelin IV . Neither writer was credited on the original album but Minnie was given credit on later pressings. McCoy's songs have also been covered by Skip James , Bob Dylan , John Mellencamp ,
287-793: A sub-agency of the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities , along with the National Endowment for the Humanities , the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities , and the Institute of Museum and Library Services . The NEA has its offices in Washington, D.C. It was awarded Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre in 1995, as well as the Special Tony Award in 2016. In 1985,
328-408: A successor takes office. Ten members of the council constitutes a quorum. The current council members as of September 28, 2024: President Biden has nominated the following to fill seats on the commission. They await Senate confirmation. Between 1965 and 2008, the agency has made in excess of 128,000 grants, totaling more than $ 5 billion. From the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, Congress granted
369-582: Is awarded by the President of the United States and NEA for outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States. Upon entering office in 1981, the incoming Ronald Reagan administration intended to push Congress to abolish the NEA completely over a three-year period. Reagan's first director of the Office of Management and Budget, David A. Stockman , thought
410-682: Is composed of 25 members, 18 appointed by the president of the United States with the consent of the United States Senate , six ex officio members, and the chairperson of the NEA, who also serves as chair of the council. The six ex officio members are members of Congress, where two are appointed by the Speaker of the House, one by the Minority Leader of the House, two by the Majority Leader of
451-538: Is facially valid, as it neither inherently interferes with First Amendment rights nor violates constitutional vagueness principles. The 1994 midterm elections cleared the way for House Speaker Newt Gingrich to lead a renewed attack on the NEA. Gingrich had called for the NEA to be eliminated along with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting . While some in Congress attacked
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#1732852666154492-434: Is the federal agency responsible for recognizing outstanding achievement in the arts. It does this by awarding three lifetime achievement awards. The NEA Jazz Masters Fellowships are awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the art of jazz. The NEA National Heritage Fellowships are awarded for artistic excellence and accomplishments for American's folk and traditional arts. The National Medal of Arts
533-548: The Ink Spots , Ella Fitzgerald , Jo Ann Kelly , Cleo Laine and A Perfect Circle . McCoy also performed and recorded under the names Bill Wither, Georgia Pine Boy, Hallelujah Joe, Big Joe McCoy and His Washboard Band, and the Mississippi Mudder. He also used the names Hamfoot Ham, Hillbilly Plowboy, and Mud Dauber Joe. Like many blues musicians of his era, Joe McCoy's grave site was originally unmarked. A tribute concert
574-504: The " NEA Four ". Since 1996, the NEA has partially rebounded with a 2015 budget of $ 146.21 million. In FY 2010, the NEA's budget reached mid-1990s levels with a $ 167.5 million budget but fell again in FY 2011 with a budget of $ 154 million. On March 11, 2024, President Joe Biden released the President's Budget for FY 2025, with $ 210.1 million budgeted for the NEA. The NEA provides grants in
615-980: The 1930s. Locations are in Mississippi unless otherwise stated . [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Kansas Joe McCoy and Papa Charlie McCoy [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] National Endowment for
656-525: The Arts The National Endowment for the Arts ( NEA ) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government by an act of the U.S. Congress , signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 29, 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 951). It is
697-626: The Arts later hosted the Mapplethorpe show. The cancellation was highly criticized and in September 1989, the Director of the Corcoran gallery, Christina Orr-Cahill, issued a formal statement of apology saying, "The Corcoran Gallery of Art in attempting to defuse the NEA funding controversy by removing itself from the political spotlight, has instead found itself in the center of controversy. By withdrawing from
738-459: The Arts was created during the term of President Lyndon B. Johnson under the general auspices of the Great Society . According to historian Karen Patricia Heath, "Johnson personally was not much interested in the acquisition of knowledge, cultural or otherwise, for its own sake, nor did he have time for art appreciation or meeting with artists." The NEA is "dedicated to supporting excellence in
779-486: The Harlem Hamfats released their recording of the song "The Weed Smoker's Dream". McCoy later refined the tune, changed the lyrics and retitled the song " Why Don't You Do Right? " for Lil Green , who recorded it in 1941. It was covered a year later by both Benny Goodman and Peggy Lee , becoming Lee's first hit single . "Why Don't You Do Right?" remains a jazz standard and is McCoy's most enduring composition. At
820-427: The Mapplethorpe exhibition, we, the board of trustees and the director, have inadvertently offended many members of the arts community which we deeply regret. Our course in the future will be to support art, artists and freedom of expression." Democratic representative Pat Williams , chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over the NEA reauthorization, partnered with Republican Tom Coleman to formulate
861-484: The NEA an annual funding of between $ 160 and $ 180 million. In 1996, Congress cut the NEA funding to $ 99.5 million as a result of pressure from conservative groups, including the American Family Association , who criticized the agency for using tax dollars to fund highly controversial artists such as Barbara DeGenevieve , Andres Serrano , Robert Mapplethorpe , and the performance artists known as
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#1732852666154902-595: The NEA and the National Endowment for the Humanities were "good [departments] to simply bring to a halt because they went too far, and they would be easy to defeat." Another proposal would have halved the arts endowment budget. However, these plans were abandoned when the President's special task force on the arts and humanities, which included close Reagan allies such as conservatives Charlton Heston and Joseph Coors , discovered "the needs involved and benefits of past assistance," concluding that continued federal support
943-686: The NEA won an honorary Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for its work with the American Film Institute in the identification, acquisition, restoration and preservation of historic films. In 2016 and again in 2017, the National Endowment for the Arts received Emmy nominations from the Television Academy in the Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series category. The National Endowment for
984-487: The Senate, and one by the Minority Leader of the Senate. These six serve two-year terms, and serve as nonvoting members of the council. The eighteen appointed by the President are selected from among private citizens of the United States who are widely recognized for their broad knowledge of, or expertise in, or for their profound interest in the arts; and have established records of distinguished service, or achieved eminence, in
1025-530: The United States. The NEA also manages the National Medal of Arts , awarded annually by the President. Artist William Powhida has noted that "in one single auction, wealthy collectors bought almost a billion dollars in contemporary art at Christie's in New York." He further commented: "If you had a 2 percent tax just on the auctions in New York you could probably double the NEA budget in two nights." The NEA
1066-694: The areas of prose and poetry. The NEA offers partnerships for state, regional, federal, international activities, and design. The state arts agencies and regional arts organizations are the NEA's primary partners in serving the American people through the arts. Forty percent of all NEA funding goes to the state arts agencies and regional arts organizations. Additionally, the NEA awards three Lifetime Honors: NEA National Heritage Fellowships to master folk and traditional artists, NEA Jazz Masters Fellowships to jazz musicians and advocates, and NEA Opera Honors to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to opera in
1107-433: The arts and shall make such appointments so as to represent equitably all geographical areas in the United States. These are appointed to serve terms of six years. The terms are staggered so three terms end September 3 each year. These members are not eligible for reappointment during the two-year period following the expiration of their term. However, they may continue to serve on the council after their term's expiration until
1148-521: The arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education". The NEA is governed by a chairman nominated by the president to a four-year term and subject to congressional confirmation. The NEA's advisory committee, the National Council on the Arts, advises the chairman on policies and programs, as well as reviewing grant applications, fundraising guidelines, and leadership initiative. The council
1189-460: The arts; so as to include practicing artists, civic cultural leaders, members of the museum profession, and others who are professionally engaged in the arts; and so as collectively to provide an appropriate distribution of membership among major art fields and interested citizens groups. In making these appointments, the President shall give due regard to equitable representation of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities who are involved in
1230-479: The attacks. Republican representative Dick Armey , an opponent of federal arts funding, began to attack a planned exhibition of photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe at the Corcoran Museum of Art that was to receive NEA support. On June 12, 1989, The Corcoran cancelled the Mapplethorpe exhibition, saying that it did not want to "adversely affect the NEA's congressional appropriations." The Washington Project for
1271-497: The categories of arts projects, national initiatives, and partnership agreements. Grants for arts projects support exemplary projects for artist communities, arts education, dance, design, folk and traditional arts, literature, local arts agencies, media arts, museums, music, musical theater, opera, presenting (including multidisciplinary art forms), theater, and visual arts. The NEA also grants individual fellowships in literature to creative writers and translators of exceptional talent in
Mississippi Blues Trail - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-411: The center of the controversy was Piss Christ , a photo of a plastic crucifix submerged in a vial of an amber fluid described by the artist as his own urine. Republican Senators Jesse Helms and Al D'Amato began to rally against the NEA, and expanded the attack to include other artists. Prominent conservative Christian figures including Pat Robertson of the 700 Club and Pat Buchanan joined
1353-698: The founding of the Mississippi Blues Trail, two preliminary markers were placed in Indianola, Mississippi , at a corner where B.B. King played as a young man, and at the Club Ebony. The first three Mississippi Blues Trail markers were dedicated on December 11, 2006. The first, at Holly Ridge , is dedicated to Delta blues pioneer Charley Patton . The second marker is located by the Southern Whispers Restaurant on Nelson Street in Greenville . Nelson Street,
1394-410: The funding of controversial artists, others argued the endowment was wasteful and elitist. However, despite massive budget cutbacks and the end of grants to individual artists, Gingrich ultimately failed in his push to eliminate the endowment. The budget outline submitted by then-president Donald Trump on March 16, 2017, to Congress would have eliminated all funding for the program. Congress approved
1435-639: The grant money in question, though the case would make its way to the United States Supreme Court in National Endowment for the Arts v. Finley . The case centered on subsection (d)(1) of 20 U.S.C. § 954 which provides that the NEA Chairperson shall ensure that artistic excellence and artistic merit are the criteria by which applications are judged. The court ruled in 524 U.S. 569 (1998), that Section 954(d)(1)
1476-565: The home of many nightclubs, cafes, and juke joints over the years, was once the primary center of African-American business, entertainment, and social life in the Delta. For many decades this historic strip drew crowds to the flourishing club scene to hear Delta blues ; big band ; jump blues ; rhythm & blues ; and jazz . The third marker was unveiled at the original location of WGRM radio station in Greenwood , where B.B. King first broadcast as
1517-467: The language embodied in the Williams-Coleman substitute prevailed and subsequently became law. Though this controversy inspired congressional debate about appropriations to the NEA, including proposed restrictions on the content of NEA-supported work and their grantmaking guidelines, efforts to defund the NEA failed. Conservative media continued to attack individual artists whose NEA-supported work
1558-663: The outbreak of World War II Charlie McCoy entered the military, but a heart condition kept Joe McCoy from service. He formed a band, Big Joe and his Rhythm, which performed during most of the 1940s. The band featured Robert Nighthawk on harmonica and Charlie McCoy on mandolin . McCoy died of heart disease in Chicago in 1950, at the age of 44, only a few months before Charlie died. They are both buried in Restvale Cemetery , in Alsip, Illinois . Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant took
1599-527: Was an American Delta blues singer, musician and songwriter. McCoy performed under various stage names but is best known as Kansas Joe McCoy. Born in Raymond, Mississippi , he was the older brother of the blues accompanist Papa Charlie McCoy . As a young man, McCoy was drawn to the music scene in Memphis, Tennessee , where he played guitar and sang during the 1920s. He teamed up his with future wife, Lizzie Douglas,
1640-531: Was deemed controversial. The "NEA Four", Karen Finley , Tim Miller , John Fleck , and Holly Hughes , were performance artists whose proposed grants from the United States government's National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) were vetoed by John Frohnmayer in June 1990. Grants were overtly vetoed on the basis of subject matter after the artists had successfully passed through a peer review process. The artists won their case in court in 1993 and were awarded amounts equal to
1681-426: Was important. Frank Hodsoll became the chairman of the NEA in 1981, and while the department's budget decreased from $ 158.8 million in 1981 to $ 143.5 million, by 1989 it was $ 169.1 million, the highest it had ever been. In 1989, Donald Wildmon of the American Family Association held a press conference attacking what he called "anti-Christian bigotry," in an exhibition by photographer Andres Serrano . The work at