Arkansas Delta - Music

Music

The Arkansas Delta, a land of vastly rich soil, is equally known for its rich musical heritage. While defined primarily by its deep blues/gospel roots, it is distinguished somewhat from its Mississippi Delta counterpart by more intricately interwoven country music and R&B elements. Arkansas blues musicians have defined every genre of blues from its inception, including ragtime, hokum, country blues, Delta blues, boogie-woogie, jump blues, Chicago blues, and blues-rock. Eastern Arkansas' predominantly African American population in cities like Helena, West Memphis, Pine Bluff, Brinkley, Cotton Plant, Forrest City and others has provided a fertile backdrop of juke joints, clubs and dance halls which have so completely nurtured this music. Many of the nation's blues pioneers were either born in the Arkansas Delta or lived in the region highlighting their craft. As a result, the region hosts several blues events throughout the year culminating in the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Fest. The festival averages about 85,000 people per day over its three day run and is rated in the top 10 music events in the nation by festivals.com.

Gospel music, the mother of Delta Blues, is enshrined in the lives and social fabric of residents. Many popular Delta artists in all other genres had their start singing or playing in church choirs and quartets. Given the historic racism and entrenched segregation in the Delta, the African American church and, by extension, its music, have taken on an even greater role in the lives of residents. Hence, African American gospel music's roots are deep in the Delta. Unlike blues, which has been historically dominated by men throughout the Delta, women have established a pioneering role in gospel music. From the quartet traditions which dominate south Arkansas to the classic and contemporary solo artists which have found national prominence in the east, gospel music in the Delta has made and continues to make a significant mark on the cultural landscape.

Additionally, the Arkansas Delta's country music roots have depth with legendary performers coming from the area. While more geographically dispersed throughout the region, these artists, nonetheless, represent the very best in country genres including bluegrass, rockabilly, folk music, and alternative country. This music underscores the long standing relationship between blues and country as one can often hear the influences of one in the other. As young country musicians continue to develop in the Delta, they continue to help the genre grow and evolve.

R&B music has also had a presence as an outgrowth of the strong blues and gospel traditions. Ostensibly, the East Central Delta area has produced a small number of talented and influential R&B artists.

Arkansas Blues Influence, sharing the blues heritage with Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee, Arkansas was home to numerous blues masters that are now held in high esteem by newer generations learning blues history. Arkansas blues artists influenced decades of pop culture music by such artists as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rolling Stones & John Meyers. Most notably by such Arkansas artists as; Albert King, Big Bill Broonzy, Bobby Rush, Eb Davis, Frank Frost, George Harmonica Smith, Hollis Gillmore, Howlin’ Wolf, Hubert Slumlin, James Cotton, Jimmy Witherspoon, Johnny Shines, Junior Walker, Junior Wells, Larry Davis, Louis Jordan, Luther Allison, Memphis Minnie, Michael Burks, Robert Johnson, Robert Lockwood Jr., Robert Nighthawk, Sam Carr, Scott Joplin, Sonny Boy Williamson and William Bunch.

Top: This flat, rural landscape along US 65/US 165/US 278/Great River Road in Desha County is very common in the Arkansas Delta
Bottom: Downtown Jonesboro, the largest city in the delta region.