Blues Cruise Day 4; Searching for Robert Johnson

Spent the day in the Greenwood, Mississippi area.  The morning efforts concentrated on visiting the 3 Robert Johnson memorials.  The first is a monument in a Zion Church outside of Quiota, MS.  No particular reason for it to be there except for the decision of some record executives.  RJ is not resting there but it is a nice memorial.



The second grave site is about a mile from this memorial in a small church graveyard.  Again, this is not believed to be the grave of RJ but there is a marker there claiming it as his resting place.  Who knows? We ran into a distant relative of Poor Eddie, Martin (no relation to Robert) Johnson.  Martin must leave his house across from this church to greet any visitors to the site to hustle a tip.  Art offered him a $5 tip and Martin's response was "What am I gonna do with fi dollas (five dollars)?" Art offered him another $5 eliciting a promise to buy himself a pint. We also ran into several of the Europeans that were attending the festival in Greenwood.

Europeans getting in the way (again)

Grave marker

Martin, me, Art, and Vern at grave marker

The third site shown below is thought to be the most likely resting place for Mr. Johnson.  There is an eyewitness who still attends this church that saw the burial of someone who was a famous singer from the area.  The current grave marker was set many years later; it is commonly believed that Mr. Johnson lies in rest somewhere on these grounds, not necessarily at the grave marker.  While we were there, a number of other Blues junkies showed up to pay respects/take photos.  My Northwestern friends were introduced to fire ants here.  One other note, my Northwestern friends were also introduced to Zero candy bars on this trip.  We have stopped several times for Zero bars and Co-colas.



Church where RJ is believed to be buried; still active.



Others visiting the site including several Europeans.



Hwy plaque at entrance to Church




Other side of plaque




The Boys at the marker; the guitar is Arts.



There has been a 100th birthday celebration in Greenwood last night and today.  Today had quite a line up including Keb Mo and Warren Haines.  Keb Mo was wonderful; Warren was LOUD and not very bluesy.



Early festival; we had great seats and the weather could not have been better.