Sharde Thomas has led fife and drum bands since her grandfather, Otha Turner, was alive, leading his own band that she was a part of. In 2003, Sharde started her […]

Jonathan Ellison was crowned the new “King of Beale Street” in 2019. He is the recipient of the WC Handy Heritage Award. Jonathan is currently nominated for a Contemporary Blues […]

Growing up in Mississippi, surrounded by the blues and country and having a fascination with alt-rock, Hayden Hunter has spent time grinding out bar gigs with his band H.H. and […]

Tara Janique is a jazz vocalist, arts entrepreneur, arts philanthropist, and arts educator. She’s performed on several platforms, including before the president and Carnegie Hall with the Alcorn State University […]

John Mohead was born near the banks of the Mississippi River and raised in a cotton field on the outskirts of Clarksdale, MS. He is known for his swampy slide […]

Andrew Dillon is an artist, performer, and educator born and raised in Jackson, MS, who is passionate about music through social change. Andrew matriculated from Jackson State University with a […]

Active in music for more than 25 years, Brian Blake is a North Mississippi-based performing songwriter who writes heartfelt and thought-provoking folk, Americana, and roots music. In 2021 he was […]

Holley Rumbarger was born into this world to play music, but more locationally, she was born in the south. Her roots in music link back to a rusty 1984 Jeep […]

Kessey Monae is a Jackson, MS native who has always had a passion for music and the art of dance. As many others, she began singing in her church choir […]

Shannon “Bayou” Williford is a veteran of more than 40 years in entertainment and education. He is an award-winning musician and educator. He has played thousands of schools, festivals, clubs, […]