By Josh Troy
Clarksdale Advocate
he Birthplace of American Music Festival has been a fixture in Clarksdale on the weekend near the Juneteenth holiday since 2018. Delta Blues Alley Cafe owners Adhel Henderson and JeCorry Miller founded the BAM Festival and are looking to make it bigger than ever this coming weekend.
The BAM Festival is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, and musicians will be playing at 10 different venues in downtown Clarksdale. Candidates running for office will have opportunities to pass out information and speak during the festival.
“We actually just want people to come out,” Henderson said. “We have people that are coming, a lot of our tourists. But we want our locals and others to come out and support and just see what we’re trying to do. We’re just trying to do things to better Clarksdale, to improve our business and provide people with another avenue for experiencing a festival. Because you’ll actually get a chance to hear all the entertainers. Instead of all the entertainers playing at once, they have scheduled time frames. You won’t have to miss an entertainer you want to hear.”
Henderson reflected on the history of the festival. “We didn’t realize how much work it would be, but we were learning as we went,” he said. “But the second year went much smoother and gained traction. And then we had to skip a couple of years.”
The COVID pandemic caused the BAM Festival to be canceled in 2020 and 2021. However, there was a BAM Festival in 2022, and Henderson estimated that 150 people attended.
“We’re really just trying to get back on our feet after COVID and all that,” he said. “I think this is going to be one of our biggest years so far. We’re steadily trying to grow.”
Most of the entertainers for the BAM Festival will be performing inside venues. Henderson has already discussed security with Clarksdale Police Chief Robbie Linley to ensure officers will patrol the festival area.
“We’re going to have security,” Henderson said. “We’ve already talked to the chief. I had a meeting with him on Monday, and he’s going to make sure people are patrolling and all. We’ll also have our own security, with personnel accompanying us to each venue.”
Passes for the BAM Festival can be purchased at bamfestms.com/. A three-day pass for the festival costs $75, and there is a $40 cover charge to attend on Saturday.
“We actually share the money with the vendors, but you buy your wristband online,” Henderson said.
A complete schedule and more information about the festival can also be found at bamfestms.com/.
SCHEDULE FOR BAM FESTIVAL
Friday:
- Deejay Hustleman: 5 to 8 p.m. at Delta Blues Alley Cafe
- Edna Nicole & Band: 8 to 11 p.m. at Delta Blues Alley Cafe
Saturday:
- Edna Nicole & Band: noon to 1 p.m. at Our Grandma’s House of Pancakes
- Jordan Sledge & The Night-Cast: 1:10 to 2:10 p.m. at Buster’s Down Home Blues Club
- The Southern Soul Band: 2:20 to 3:20 p.m. at Messenger’s Pool Hall
- Frank “Guitar” Rimmer & Band: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Red’s Blues Club
- Big T & The Family: 4:40 to 5:40 p.m. at Levon’s Bar and Grill
- The Grandboiz: 5:50 to 6:50 p.m. at Meraki Roasting Co.
- Terry Harmonica Bean: 7 to 8 p.m. at Delta Blues Alley Cafe
- Queen Iretta & Johnie B: 8:10 to 9:10 p.m. at Hooker Grocery & Eatery
- Lady Trucker & Band: 9:20 to 10:20 p.m. at Bluesberry Cafe
- Jake & The Pearl Street Jumpers: 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Crossroads Cultural Arts Center
- Otis TCB Taylor & Band: 11:40 p.m. to 12:40 a.m. at Delta Blues Alley Cafe
Sunday:
- Queen Iretta & Johnie B: 6 to 8 p.m. at Delta Blues Alley Cafe
- Allen Mane: 8 to 10 p.m. at Delta Blues Alley Cafe
- Edie Blues: 8 to 10 p.m. at Delta Blues Alley Cafe
- Chad Jones: 8 to 10 p.m. at Delta Blues Alley Cafe
- Gold Grills: 8 to 10 p.m. at Delta Blues Alley Cafe
- Big John Cummings: 8 to 10 p.m. at Delta Blues Alley Cafe
- David Brinson: 10 p.m. until closing at Delta Blues Alley Cafe
