Festival Review- Way Down in Mississippi Weekend - Hosted by Jason Eady
In Clarksdale, Mississippi, birthplace of the Delta Blues and once home to music legends including Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson, Jason Eady hosted an intimate music weekend to culminate the tour for his latest album Mississippi. Held the second weekend in November, the inaugural Way Down in Mississippi Weekend featured music from Eady and those that had a part in the making of the album: Adam Hood, his only co-writer on the album; Courtney Patton and Kelly Mickwee, who sang harmonies on the album, and Midnight River Choir, who toured the album with him. The first two days, festival attendees stayed at the historic Shack Up Inn, where restored sharecropper shacks make up the sleeping quarters and the original cotton gin, the lobby and bar area. Rustic is the word that comes to mind – but the authenticity and nostalgic charm made up for any lack of luxury.
On Thursday night, after a gumbo dinner made by Eady himself (with some help from family and friends), attendees enjoyed an acoustic set by Eady, Hood, Patton and Eric Middleton of Midnight River Choir. Some highlights included “Shine” by Middleton, Hood and Eady singing “Burn it Down” with harmonies by Patton. Hood and Patton shared their take on Bonnie Raitt and Delbert McClinton’s “Good Man, Good Woman,” after which they said they would be recording that in the future – we can only hope it happens. Eady closed the set with Willie Nelson’s “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” a personal favorite.
Friday afternoon the schedule was open, allowing festival goers to explore the town of Clarksdale. Many chose to take in the Delta Blues Museum and Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club. A traditional southern dinner was made by members of Midnight River Choir on Friday night, followed by a full band show, where Eady, Hood, Middleton and Patton were joined by Kelley Mickwee and the remainder of Midnight River Choir. While it was an unplanned jam session, you would have thought it had been rehearsed and with a set list because it felt seamless. Kelley Mickwee sang “Liars and Fools” which she wrote with Eady. “Creature Comfort” was one of the songs sung by Patton. It’s a co-write with Mickwee and a track on the album she is set to record in December. Based on the few new ones I heard this weekend, the new album promises to be outstanding and full of soul. Hood played “Cars, Trucks and Me” from his recently re-recorded and re-released Different Groove. “Tombstone Lullaby” by Midnight River Choir seemed to be a favorite. Suffice it to say if the crowd were less familiar with their music than some of the other artists, Midnight River Choir gained some new fans over the weekend. The artists seemed to enjoy this format and even continued the song swap around a fire outside.
Saturday, after lunch in another historic music town, Rosedale, and an unplanned hike for some attendees, the festival moved to Jackson, and a public show at Hal and Mal’s. Midnight River Choir opened the show with a five song set. Afterward, Eady opened his set with “Way Down in Mississippi,” as he had the first two nights. The crowd erupted in applause when he sang the lyric “Everything changed on that old front porch when JC Cannon taught me that groove” because Cannon himself was in the audience. Eady gave a heartfelt introduction after the song. He played all the songs from the Mississippi album as well as some old favorites, including, of course, “Back to Jackson.” Eady also sang a new one, “Mean Spirits,” a co-write with Patton and Cody Jinks. He debuted the song at the Grand Ole Opry the month before. Hood, Mickwee and Patton each sang two songs during the set. Included, “Casualty,” Patton’s popular track from the Electrostatic album. Mickwee wowed the crowd with “Trouble About my Soul,” a traditional spiritual that was recorded by The Trishas and has had new life since being featured on TV’s “Yellowstone.” Hood sang “Way Too Long” and proved why it’s a crowd favorite. Eady wrapped the set and the weekend with “Once Upon a Time in New Orleans.”
The first-time music festival proved to be a weekend full of excellent music from some of my favorites. Mark your calendars for November 2024. You will definitely want to catch the 2nd Annual Way Down in Mississippi Weekend.
Find out more about Jason Eady at the links below:
All images in this article are courtesy of Chris Couture Photography