Inspired by the Robert Palmer book and Mugge/Palmer film titled Deep Blues, Chris Johnson’s love of the music grew into the Deep Blues Festival. A combination of travels, the culture and of course, the festival naturally evolved into the Bayport BBQ. An establishment featuring that same spirit, a deep south meal and down to earth atmosphere. For now, let’s spend some time here discovering, visiting and revisiting all the connections. So drop in for a moment, meet some of the artists, listen, watch, learn about and learn from the documentaries.
“What excited me about this music was that it was so different,” said Johnson. “It was raw and immediate and went all the way back to the roots, and artists like R.L. and Junior had so much character.”… “Next came his discovery of artists like the Black Diamond Heavies, Scott H. Biram, and Bob Log — younger independents making music under the influence of Kimbrough, Burnside, and their hill country kin, including Jessie Mae Hemphill and Othar Turner.”… “This new, raw strain of hybrid blues offers deep roots to fans of traditional music. And while Burnside, Kimbrough, Hemphill and Turner are now dead, T-Model Ford, Kenny Brown, Elmo Williams and Hezekiah Early, and a handful of other Mississippians soldier on.” Excerpts from The Blues Is Not Dead: The New Blues Underground Rises Up by Ted Drozdowski about Chris Johnson and the Deep Blues Festival.
Artists | Film Festival | Posters | Press
