If
you're in Clarksdale, MS and you look real close at the Northwest corner of
Sunflower Avenue & MLK Drive, catty corner from the Grange Cemetery, you just might
find RED's LOUNGE. It doesn't look like it's open and Big Red only opens
when he feels like it. There's no 
schedule
that I'm aware of and Red will be around when he wants to have a little fun and
let his hair down some. Not that Red has a lot of hair these days, but Red
does have a "Juke Joint". You just have to drive
by and see if Red is open. Clarksdale's not jumping like the "old" days
with
Smitty's Red Top, the Blue 
Diamond, the Big House, Gene's Snack Bar,
Mac's, and several other joints open, but Red still carries on. Red was recognized in 2006 with the Early Wright Award
for keeping the Blues alive. Red's joint represents one of the last
of the real deal jukes in Clarksdale.
If you're fortunate enough to find Red's open, you'll probably
run into Wesley Jefferson along with several other local musicians sitting in
with the house band. On this typical Friday night, I ran into Gladys
from Shelby, Dr Mike James, Big T, Joe Iceman Williams,
Blackjack, Jeremy Horton, Willie Butler, Artie Renkel from PA, Frankie Lee, and Josh
Stewart. These guys have been playing together for many years and it's a
real treat to just hang out at this Big Ole House party at Red's.
Everyone participates freely. You can sing along if 
you
want,
shoot some pool, dance by yourself or with someone, or just drink some
beer. No one pays you no nevermind, it's just another night of blues in
the land where the blues began.
Here's some photo's taken at Red's from 2003 through 2008.
If you're in Clarksdale, MS and you miss
Red's, you didn't do yourself a favor.
Next time you're there, maybe Big Jack will stop in.
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page added April 30, 2004 page updated
July-2008
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