M
MISSISSIPPI MUSICIANS

 


Mississippi has a unique and diverse musical heritage. Originally. the students at Starkville High School researched these musicians who are native to Mississippi or who have spent a significant part of their lives in the state of Mississippi. That original information is now being updated. The music of Mississippians may be blues, jazz, country, classical, gospel, rock 'n roll, rhythm and blues, rap, or popular.  Click on green highlighted or underlined name for specific information on that musician.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K -L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - U - V - W - Y - Z

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A

  • Afroman (aka Joseph Foreman) Hattiesburg, MS
  • Akers, Garfield  (blues guitarist) 1900-1958, Brights/Hernando
  • Aldridge,Tommy - (drummer) born August 15, 1950, in Jackson, raised in Pearl, MS, graduated from Pearl High School in Pearl, Mississippi, in 1968. Drummer for Black Oak Arkansas (1973-1977), Whitesnake, and Ozzy Osbourne's Band, considered veteran heavy metal and hard rock drummer and pioneer of double bass drumming
  • Alexander, John (New York Metropolitan Opera star) Meridian, Mississippi
  • Allison, Mose (jazz pianist and songwriter), Tippo, MS
  • Allman Brothers Band (See Johanny Johanson (aka Jaimoe), born John Lee Johnson, Ocean Springs, MS
  • Ames, Abie "Boogaloo" pianist and singer (Greenville, MS) died 2002, see also Eden Brent
  • Andy Anderson and the Rolling Stones (lead singer of original Rolling Stones, rock and roll) group formed in Starkville in 1955, You Shake Me Up
  • Anderson. Jimmy  (Natchez) 1950
  • Attaway, William Alexander (novelist and composer of 500 songs including Day-O Banana Boat Song) Greenville, 1911-1986
  • Applebaum, Mark (jazz pianist and composer of electronic music), Starkville, MS
  • Atwood, George (bass player for Buddy Holly) 1920- present, born in Alabama but moved to Meridian, MS, at age 5. He also lived in Quitman in Clarke Co, MS,  his father and step-mother are both buried in Mississippi. George died March 27, 2005
  • Austin, Bryan (country music) Pass Christian, MS 1967
  • Azar, Steve (country) Greenville, MS "Waitin' on Joe" 2003

B

  • Babbitt, Milton (influential composer and music educator),  Jackson, MS
  • Dennis Bailey (operatic tenor and member of New York Met)
  • Earle Poole Ball (country, pianist from Marion County, MS) 1940, Columbia
  • Glen Ballard (Natchez, MS) 1953
  • Moe (Marion R. ) Bandy (country music singer and songwriter) 1944-
  • David Banner (Lavell Crump) rapper, Jackson, MS
  • Booba Barnes (blues), Greenville, MS
  • Clay Barnes  Meridian (guitarist for Steve Forbert on Nemporor Records in NYC, works in studio and tours with Forbert, also played and recorded with Willie Nile from NYC and opened for "The Who,"  currently owns Point Recording in Meridian, has produced, recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered several CD's with High Cotton Records
  • Prentiss Barnes (rock n' roll--member of The Moonglows) Jackson, MS
  • Bucky Barrett (acoustic and electric guitarist and composer) Canton, 1943
  • Dee Barton (composer and Starkville High School graduate), born 1937 in Houston, MS, grew up in Starkville, MS, died 2001 in Jackson
  • Lance Bass (singer with NSYNC) Laurel, MS, 1979
  • Frederic Lee Beckett (first great modern jazz trombonist) Nettleton, MS
  • Carey Bell (blues) Macon, MS, 1936
  • Big Time Sarah (see Sarah Streeter) blues, Coldwater, MS
  • Bruce Blackwood Greenville, Mississippi, song writer and singer, in mid-60s he formed Eternity’s Children, had a top 100 hit with “Mrs. Bluebird” in 1968 and appeared on American Bandstand, left the group and moved to Atlanta in 1969, in 1972 formed “Mississippi,” in 1974 joined a group called “Extravanganza" with Bo Wagner, vocalist Elgin Wells, keyboardist Sloan Hayes, drummer David Snavely and bassist Jimmy Cobb, 1975 Private Stock Records, a NYC company, signed the group to a single deal for “Moonlight Feels Right,” which rose to the top of the national and international charts, selling over 3 million copies, "Everybody Be Dancin," was also a top chart song, Blackman serves as CEO of his own music publishing and production companies and is producing an album project with his daughter Sarah and  several other artists.
  • James Blackwood and the Blackwood Brothers Quartet, (gospel) Ackerman, MS
  • Andrew "Andy" Blakney (jazz trumpeter), Quitman, 1898
  • Johnnie Billington Clarksdale, MS (blues) born Crowden, MS
  • Steve Blailock (jazz guitarist)
  • Blind Melon (hard rock group included three Mississippians: Glen Graham, drummer from Columbus; Brad Smith, bass guitarist, Columbus; and Thomas Stevens, guitarist, born in West Point, MS)  1993-1996
  • Big Daddy Michael Blue Port Gibson, plays with swamp boogie band called The Wee Hours
  • Lucille Bogan
  • Eddie Riley Boyd (piano blues, Clarksdale, MS) born in Stovall, 1914, died in Finland
  • Ishmon Bracey (blues) Byram, 1901-1970)
  • Bobby Lee Bradford (jazz trumpeter) Cleveland, MS, 1934
  • Brandy (see Brandy Norwood)
  • Delaney Bramlett, Ponotoc, Mississippi
  • Jackie Brenson, Clarksdale, 1930-1979 (rock and roll) Rocket 88
  • Brent, Eden (see also Boogaloo Ames) Greenville
  • Jimmy  Brewer (blues), Brookhaven, MS
  • Big Bill Broonzy (blues) Scott, MS (1893-1953)
  • Andrew Brown (blues) Jackson, MS
  • Kenny Brown guitarist, born 1953, lives in Nesbit, Mississippi, new CD, Stingray was released in February on Fat Possum/Epitaph Records, first CD, Goin Back to Mississippi, released on Plumtone Records, played with R. L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough, played Boxcar Blues in movie Big Bad Love.
  • Richard Jess Brown (jazz) Jackson, 1956
  • William Brown (opera) tenor, Jackson, MS
  • Willie Brown (blues) Clarksdale, MS
  • Bobby Bryant (jazz) Hattiesburg 1934
  • Jimmy Buffett (singer, songwriter and author) Pascagoula, MS, 1946
  • George "Mojo" Buford (blues harmonica) Hernando, MS,  1929
  • Chester A. Burnett (see Howlin' Wolf) West Point, White Station, Clay County, MS (1910-1976
  • Little Eddie Burns (blues) Belzoni, MS
  • R. L. Burnside (blues) Oxford, MS, 1926--September 1, 2005
  • Aron Burton (Senatobia, Mississippi)
  • Larry Burton (Coldwater, Mississippi), 1951
  • Jerry "The Iceman" Butler (rock and roll singer of 65 albums, rhythm and blues) Sunflower County, 1939, formed The Roosters, also politician

C

  • Butch Cage (blues fiddle player) Hamburg, MS
  • Joe Callicott (Mississippi Joe Callicott) Nesbit, MS
  • Julius "Rasheed Abdullah" Cain  1932
  • Eddie Campbell (blues guitarist and singer) Duncan, MS
  • Kate Campbell (blues to funk) (grew up in rural Mississippi towns--Sledge)
  • Little Milton Campbell (blues) Inverness, MS, 1934
  • "Ace"Cannon, aka John Henry Cannon, Jr., saxophone (May 5, 1934, in Grenada, Mississippi)
  • Gus Cannon (Banjo Joe) Red Banks, MS 1884-1979
  • Canton Spirituals (gospel) Canton, MS, founded by Harvey Watkins, Sr.,
  • Joe Frank Carollo (Leland, MS)  played with Joe Frank and the Knight, then as member of trio with Dan Hamilton and Tommy Reynolds, Don't Pull Your Love made the top five in 1971 and "Fallin' in Love" hit number one  four years later. Hamilton, Joe Frank Carollo and Tommy Reynolds had previously played in the T-Bones. Their  instrumental "No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In),"  which began life as an Alka Seltzer jingle, made it to number 3 on Billboard's music chart.
  • Sam Carr (blues drummer) Friars Point, MS
  • Bo (Armentor) Carter also known as Bo Chatmon (Chatmon family string band) blind, 1893-1964, Bolton, MS, sometimes member of The Mississippi Sheiks, a fiddle and guitar band that included brothers Lonnie and Sam and Walter Vinson
  • Brown Carter, member of the Southland Quartet from Corinth, Mississippi
  • Vikki Helms Carter, Tupelo, MS
  • George Cartwright  Midnight and Belzoni, Mississippi, jazz saxophonist,  graduate of Mississippi State University, now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota
  • Leonard "Baby Doo" Caston (Big Three Trio pianist with Willie Dixon) Sumrall, MS
  • Chambers Brothers, The-- Lee County, MS (song Time Has Come Today used in over 30 movies and commercials)
    • Lester Chambers
  • Armenter "Bo" Chatmon (see Bo Carter) Bolton, Mississippi, (blues) brother of Lonnie and Sam Chatmon
  • Lonnie Chatmon (Mississippi Sheiks) blues
  • Sam Chatmon (aka Sam Chatman of Mississippi Sheiks) blues, Bolton, Mississippi, 1897-1983
  • Steve Cheseborough (acoustic blues) Oxford, Mississippi
  • Tena Clark (Waynesboro, MS) songwriter, producer "I'll Be Okay"  "You Deserve a Break Today," "That’s The Beat of a Heart,"  co-writer with Patty LaBelle of song sung at memorial service for the Columbia astronauts at National Cathedral, music for NASA and Air Force One by her company Disc Marketing
  • Otis Clay (gospel/soul-blues) Waxhaw, MS, February 11, 1942
  • Eddy "the Chief" Clearwater (blues) aka Eddie Harrington, Macon, Mississippi
  • Willie Cobbs (blues) Greenwood, Mississippi
  • Hank Cochran (Nashville country song writer, thirty-three BMI awards) Isola, MS 1935
  • Bud Cockrell (Greenville) 4 gold records --singer and bass guitar player with Pablo Cruise in the 70's, left the band for joint project with then wife, Patty Santos (vocal on "White Bird" from the "It's a Beautiful Day" band out of San Francisco in the early 70's). They  formed The Cockrell-Santos Band.
  • Charles Cockrell  a deceased singer who recorded for Hi Records and in later years operated his own studio in partnership with Kenneth Reich of Amory.
  • Courtenay Collins
  • Sam Cooke  (gospel, soul, and rock n' roll) Clarksdale, Mississippi, 1931-1964
  • Crocker, Jack Mississippi Delta native, songwriter who signed with Stax co-founder Estelle Axton on her Fretone Records in Memphis which later released “Disco Duck.” Played baseball for Delta State, has a Ph.D from Texas Tech, a recording artist and poet
  • James Cotton (blues), Tunica, MS, 1935
  • Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup (blues singer and songwriter--author of That's All Right) Forest, MS, 1905-1974
  • Peck Curtis (blues washboard, drums, and jug player and tap dancer) King Biscuit Entertainer, Benoit, MS
  • George Cummings--played with Dr.Hook in the 70's and 80's, from Meridian, now lives in New York, and still plays and write songs in Nashville, TN.
  • Morris Cummings (harmonica) Clarksdale, MS.

D

  • Olu Dara  born Charles Jones, (blues, jazz singer, guitarist, harmonica player, and trumpeter, Delta Blues, Jazz, Afro-beat and Caribbean influences,  long-running top 20 Billboard hit in 1998 in THE WORLD: FROM NATCHEZ TO NEW YORK, father of hip hop artist Nas) Natchez, MS
  • Dardanelle  (see Marcia Marie Mullen Hadley) (jazz singer), Avalon, MS, 1917-1997
  • Lester Davenport (blues harmonica) Tchula, MS
  • Blind John Davis (session pianist) Hattiesburg, MS, 1913-1985
  • Mamie "Galore" Davis, Elwin, Mississippi
  • Paul Davis (country/soft rock--"I Go Crazy" ) Meridian, MS, 1948-April 2008, Kemper County, MS, near Cleveland
  • Tyrone Davis (pop, soul, blues) Greenville, MS, 1938
  • Walter Davis (blues) Grenada, MS
  • William Houston Davis Born 1914, Died 1987. Wrote Mississippi State song, also teacher, arranger, composer, born in Oklahoma and moved to Mississippi in 1942.
  • William W. Davis The late band director at Jackson State
  • Jimmy Dawkins (blues guitarist) Tchula, MS
  • Delta Rhythm Boys (jazz) founded in 1930's by Lee Gaines of Buena Vista, first African-American entertainers to perform in Las Vegas
  • Bo Diddley  aka Otha Ellas Bates McDaniels (guitarist, singer, songwriter, considered by many to be the father of rock-and-roll, blues), McComb, MS, 1928
  • Scott Didlake Crystal Springs, MS, -1994, best known as an artist, also a gifted musician and a writer, a craftsman who made gourd banjos, which he called banzas, which originally came from Africa, a member of the craftsmen's guild of Mississippi. He died of  Lou Gehrig's disease at the age of 46 in 1994;  his instruments are now collectibles. He and a handful of others sparked the now fast-growing movement of gourd banjo players and makers.
  • Willie Dixon (composer, producer, arranger, bass player, recording artist, band leader) Vicksburg, MS, 1915-1992
  • Dr. Ross (see Isaiah Ross) (one-man blues band) Tunica, MS
  • Harold Dorman
  • Duff Dorrough and the Revelators (see also Charlie Love Jacobs and The Tangents )
  • K. C. Douglas (acoustic Delta blues) Sharon, MS 1913-1975
  • Ann Downing (gospel singer, former member of the Speer Family)
  • Grover Duke (gospel)
  • Roby Duke (gospel)
  • Gayle Dumas (songwriter) Jackson, MS
  • Omar Dykes (blues) McComb, MS

E

  • Billy Earheart  Fulton, MS, Plays piano, Hammond B3, accordian,and harp; 
    - Original member of the Grammy award winning Rhythm Aces band, (still touring after 32 years), also 22 years with Hank Williams, Jr., has also performed with BB King, Al Green, Kid Rock, Rufus Thomas, Wet Willie, Eddie Hinton, Tony Joe White, Waylon Jennings, Gate Mouth Brown and many others.
  • David "Honeyboy" Edwards (Chicago blues) Shaw, MS, 1915
  • Meredith Edwards (singer) Clinton
  • Theodore "Teddy"/"Babe Ruth" Edwards (jazz and bebop) Jackson, 1924
  • Jimmy Elledge (pop/rock, country singer,1962 hit "Funny How Time Slips Away")  Meridian
  • Ruby Elzy (first Serena in the opera Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin) Pontotoc, Mississippi, 1908-1943
  • Chris Ethridge (Meridian) "bassist" in "The Flying Burrito Brothers" and others, toured with Willie Nelson for almost 8 years, has written a number of songs recorded by other artists including "She"... recorded by the Black Crowes, and which is now being played live by Norah Jones on tour, bass player on "Whiskey River" by Willie Nelson  
  • Lehman Engel (three time Tony winner, composer, conductor, and author), Jackson, MS, 1910-1982
  • Morris "Mo" Evans Starkville, MS
  • Betty Everett (singer) Greenwood, MS
  • Ralph Ezell ( original bass guitarist for country band Shenandoah) Born in Union, MS, on December 30, 1953 graduated from Pearl High School in Pearl, MS. Died November 30, 2007 of an apparent heart attack

F

  • Alvin Fielder (jazz drummer) Meridian, MS, 1935
  • Jerry Fisher - former lead singer of Blood Sweat and Tears, born in Oklahoma, lives in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, since early 70's
  • Five Blind Boys of Mississippi (gospel) led by Archie Brownlee, (also known as The Cotton Blossom Singers) Utica Institute, MS
  • Steve Forbert (country) Meridian 1955
  • Forrest Family (gospel) Winona, MS
  • Willie Foster (blues) 1921-2001
  • Vernel Fournier (jazz drummer)
  • Frank Frost (blues) Augusta, AR
  • Fabulous Thunderbirds, Anson, MS, now in Texas with Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets
  • Johnny Fuller (singer, gospel-influenced soul, blues, R & B, rock and roll) Edwards, MS

G

  • The Gants (Greenwood pop band) 1960's, member were/are Don Wood, Sid Herring, John Sanders, Vince Montgomery (the group has recently begun performing together again
  • Bobbie Gentry (born Roberta Lee Streeter) Chickasaw County 1944
  • Mickey Gilley (country) Natchez, 1936
  • Jazz Gillum (William Gillum) harmonica player, Indianola, MS
  • Will Gilmer (fiddler and founder of Leake County Revelers, 1926) Sebastopol, MS, 1895
  • John E. Gilmore (jazz tenor sax) 1931-1995
  • Jimmy Gilreath (songwriter of Band of Gold recorded by Sonny James), Tupelo, MS
  • Will Golden (country/blues)
  • Marshall Grant (bassist) 1928, played with the Tennessee Two, the band which backed Jonny Cash
  • Mark Gray (country singer and songwriter) Hinds County, MS
  • Lil Green, Chicago based rhythm and blues singer, Mississippi Delta, 1919-1954
  • Elizabeth Greenfield  1824-1876 (the Black Swan), first African-American concert singer, born into slavery in Natchez, Mississippi. Greenfield's owner, Mrs. Jesse Greenfield, freed her slaves sometime in the late 1820's and moved to Philadelphia, taking the young Greenfield with her. Mrs. Jesse Greenfield acted as guardian and patroness to her ward until her death in 1844. In 1853 Greenfield toured England, returned to Philadelphia in 1854 where she continued to sing, teach voice, and during the 1860s, she directed productions of the Philadelphia Opera Troupe. Greenfield died in Philadelphia in 1876, reportedly of paralysis. 
  • Dick Griffin  Trombonist, pianist, painter
  • Guitar Slim (born Eddie Jones ) Greenwood, MS

H

  • Marcia Marie Mullen Hadley (jazz singer known as Dardanelle ) 1920-1998, Avalon, MS
  • Jack Hale Cleveland, MS, (trombone player for The Memphis Horns for 14 years, played on many gold records), retired, played Blues Concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York, made into a movie by Martin Scorcese entitled "Lightning in a Bottle."
  • Joe Hall  musician who operated Ole Barney Recording Studio of Blue Springs
  • Fannie Lou Townsend Hamer (gospel singer, Civil Rights Activist) died in Ruleville, MS in 1977
  • John Handy jazz musician, composer, and recording artist, born in 1900, he died in 1970 at his Pass Christian, Mississippi home
  • W. C. Handy (father of the blues) Clarksdale, MS, and Tutwiler, MS, 1892
  • Travis Haddix
  • Jimmy Harrell (Alton and Jimmy)
  • Eddie Harrington (see Eddy Clearwater, Macon, MS)
  • Kenneth Haxton (classical composer) Greenville, MS
  • Patrick Hayes - Mendenhall,  MS, lives in Chicago, plays guitar, toured with Darius Brooks of EMI recoreds, recorded with Bobby Rush and last 4 albums of David Banner
  • Jessie Mae Hemphill (female blues singer) Senatobia, MS
  • Sid Hemphill
  • Jimmy Henderson ( guitarist) born on May 20, 1954, played with Black Oak, Arkansas, graduated from Pearl High School in Pearl MS
  • Michael Henderson (jazz) Yazoo City, 1951
  • John "JoJo" Herman (keyboardist for Widespread Panic), Oxford, MS
  • Al "Fish" Herring trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Caroline Herring--Canton, MS, co-founder of Oxford radio's Thacker Mountain
  • Benjamin Herrington (classical trombonist) 1964 Pascagoula
  • Faith Hill (country) Jackson, Mississippi, born in Star, Mississippi, in 1967
  • Arthur "Art" Hillery (jazz pianist) Jackson
  • Quincy Hilliard (composer and SHS graduate, Starkville, MS)
  • Milt Hinton (jazz) bass player and composer, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 1910
  • Claire Holley (singer/songwriter from Jackson, Mississippi)
  • Herbie Holmes (jazz, creator of big band style of Lawrence Welk), Yazoo City, MS, 1912-1981
  • Redd Holt (jazz drummer)  Rosedale, 1932
  • Earl Hooker (slide guitarist) Clarksdale, MS, 1930-1970
  • John Lee Hooker (blues, rhythm and blues) Clarksdale, MS, 1920-2001
  • Hooks Trio (gospel), Collins, MS
  • Big Walter "Shakey" Horton (Chicago blues harmonica stylist) Horn Lake, MS
  • Craig Horton
  • Mark Howell (recipient of Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters award for music composition--1997)
  • Son House (born Eddie James, Jr.) (blues) Riverton, Mississippi, in Coahoma County, teacher of Robert Johnson
  • Thelma Houston
  • Guy Hovis  Lawrence Welk Show, Tupelo, Mississippi
  • Howlin' Wolf (Chester A. Burnett) (singer, songwriter, blues musician) West Point, MS
  • Neilson Hubbard (Jackson)
  • Cary Hudson (Oxford) member of now defunct alt-country group Blue Mountain, new recording The Phoenix
  • Keith Hunter
  • Mississippi  John Hurt  Teoc, Miss. (blues-folk singer and guitarist) 1892-1966
  • Buck Huteson  Nettleton, MS, played guitar for many years for Jerry Lee Lewis

I

  • International Sweethearts of Rhythm (all female swing band), organized by Laurence C. Jones, founder of Piney Woods School, 1930's, 1940's

J

  • Jackson Southernaires Huey Williams; Roger Bryant, Jr.; Maurice Surrell; James Burks; Luther Jennings (only remaining original member), Franklin Williams, also member of group and founded Mississippi Mass Choir
  • Bessie Jackson (see Lucille Bogan ) Amory, MS
  • Carl Jackson  Louisville, Mississippi,  played with Glen Campbell, won a grammy.
  • Cordell Jackson (guitarist) old lady of Pepsi commercial
  • Jim Jackson (blues singer-guitarist) Hernando, MS
  • Vasti Jackson (blues)  McComb, MS, 1959-
  • Charlie "Love" Jacobs (singer with the Tangents)
  • Jaimoe (Born Johnny Lee Johnson 7-8-44, Ocean Springs, MS, and original drummer with  the Allman Brothers Band
  • Eddie James, Jr (see Son House)
  • Elmore James (born Elmore Brooks) slide guitarist, Richland, MS, 1918-1963
  • Nehemiah "Skip" James  Bentonia, MS, 1902-1969
  • Bobby Jay (born in Meridian, Ms 1940 as Robert James McCarty, Jr., died 1993
  • Big Jack Johnson (blues) Lambert, Mississippi, in 1940 one of Jelly Roll Kings
  • James Johnson (Super Chikan), Darling, MS, 1951
  • Jimmy Johnson (blues) born Jimmy Thompson, 1911,  in Holly Springs, MS
  • Jimmy Johnson (country) born in Canton, went to Starkville High School, plays with Patty Lovelace, TV shows
  • Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson (blues) Itta Bena, MS, 1939
  • Robert L. Johnson (King of the Delta blues, songwriter, guitarist)  Hazelhurst, MS, 1911-1938
  • Syl Johnson (soul singer) brother of Jimmy Johnson, Holly Springs, MS, 1936, guitar and harp
  • Tommy Johnson (blues) Born: 1896 in Terry, MS  Died: 1956 in Crystal Springs, MS
  • Calvin Jones (bass in The Legendary Blues Band)  Greenwood, MS
  • Casey Jones (drummer and singer) Nitta Yuma, MS
  • Henry "Hank" Jones (bebop, jazz) Vicksburg, 1918
  • Eddie Jones (Guitar Slim)  (rhythm and blues) Greenwood, MS, 1926-1959
  • Johnny Jones (blues pianist) Jackson, MS, 1924-1964
  • Samuel Jones (award winning composer and conductor, founder of school of music at Rice University), 1935, Inverness, MS
  • Margie Joseph  (singer, Misty Blue)

K

  • Kansas City Red (see Arthur Lee Stevenson), Drew, MS
  • Karson Karlisle aka Brandi Shurden, Starkville, MS (country)
  • Murray Kellum (country/novelty type songs) Jackson, MS
  • Willie Kent (bass player and vocalist) Shelby, MS
  • Les Kerr (songwriter and recording artist) Jackson and Pascagoula , MS
  • Junior Kimbrough (blues)  Hudsonville or Holly Springs, MS, 1930-1972
  • Albert King born Albert Nelson (major blues guitarist) Indianola, MS, 1923-1992
  • B. B. King  (born Riley B. King, blues guitarist, singer, songwriter)  Indianola, MS, eight Grammys, 1925
  • Willie King
  • Lester "Big Daddy"  Kinsey (blues singer and guitarist) Pleasant Grove, MS
  • Pat Kirby (country) Newton, MS
  • Fred Knobloch (guitarist, country singer, and songwriter) Jackson, MS, 1953

L

  • Patrick Lamb  Jackson, MS  performed with Diane Schuur and also Tom Grant has solo recordings
  • Denise LaSalle soul-blues singer and songwriter)  Belzoni, MS (Leflore County) or Sidon, MS, 1939
  • Law of Nature  See also Chapman Welch, Starkville, MS
  • Rick Lawson--Raymond, Mississippi
  • Albert "Sonnyland Slim" Laundrew (blues)  Vance, MS, 1907
  • Lafayette Leake, blues pianist, Winona, MS
  • Leake County Revelers formed 1926 (see Will Gilmer (1895, Sebastopol),
  • Lee, Daniel Curtis and Nathaniel, Jr.  album Warming by Brotherlee, both brothers are well-known as actors
  • Furry Lewis  Greenwood, MS, ca. 1893-1981, first blues recording artist from the 1020's rediscovered in the 1960's revival of the blues, album In His Prime 1917-1928
  • Chris LeDoux (country) Biloxi, MS, 1948, died 2005
  • Joe Lee "Papa" (blues) Inverness, MS
  • Lucas Leigh (16 year old pianist  from Hernando, Mississippi)
  • J. G. Lenoir, blues composer of social commentary songs, Monticella, MS
  • Furry Lewis, born Walter Lewis, (guitarist, songwriter, TV shows) Greenwood, MS
  • Jerry Lee Lewis (rock and roll) born Ferriday, Louisiana in 1935, has lived in Nesbit, MS, since 1979
  • Alexander "Papa George" Lightfoot, Campbell, MS, died 1971
  • Little Milton (guitarist, soul-blues guitarist and singer) Inverness, MS
  • Alexander "Papa George" Lightfoot, died 1971 Campbell, MS
  • Johnny Littlejohn (Chicago blues)  Lake, MS
  • Jimmie Lunceford (jazz, swing), Fulton, 1902-1942
  • John Avery Lomax (pioneer in recording and collecting black field and folk songs, blues, spirituals) Goodman, MS
  • Alton Lott (of Alton and Jimmy)
  • Louisiana Red, born Iverson Minter (blues guitarist and singer now in Europe) Vicksburg, MS
  • Willie Love, (piano player and singer) Duncan, MS
  • Mundell Lowe (jazz guitarist)  Laurel, MS, 1922

M

  • Sterling Magee (blues)
  • Sam "Magic Sam" Maghett (blues) Grenada, MS, 1937-1969
  • Magic Slim, born Morris Holt (Chicago guitarist and singer) Grenada, MS
  • Tom "Bones" Malone (Hattiesburg/Sumrall, Mississippi), trombonist with  David Letterman CBS Orchestra, the Blues Brothers, Saturday Night Live, 1947
  • Bobby Mann drummer, Macon, MS, 1950
  • James Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers)
  • Charlie Mars Band  (see also Matt Ulmer)  Laurel, MS
  • Mac McAnally (country) Belmont, Mississippi 1957
  • Tommy McClennan (Delta guitarist and blues singer) Yazoo City, MS, 1908-1958
  • O.B. (Obie Burnett)  McClinton (country) Senatobia, Mississippi, 1940-1987
  • Douglas McConnell (composer of opera and contemporary music) Starkville, MS
  • George McConnel (guitarist with Widespread Panic, orignially with band named "Beanland")
  • Charlie McCoy (blues singer, accompanist and guitarist) Jackson, MS, 1909-1950
  • Joe McCoy (guitarist) Raymond, MS
  • Jim "Fish" Michie (former member of the Tangents)
  • Mississippi Fred McDowell, (country blues) Como, MS, 1904-1972
  • Mississippi Sheiks Bolton, MS (see Bo Carter and Sam Chatmon)
  • Willie McTell
  • Elsie McWilliams, (country music composer of 39 of Jimmie Rodgers's hit songs) Harperville, MS, 1896-1986
  • Henry "Skeets" McWilliams (jazz, country guitarist) Jackson, 1924
  • Big John Meholic (horn player, leader of the Nite Liters)
  • Mulgrew Miller (jazz) Greenwood, 1955
  • Hoyt "Floyd" Ming and his Pep-Steppers (Tupelo, MS)
  • Iverson Red Minter (blues) Vicksburg, MS
  • Mississippi Boys Choir
  • Mississippi Mass Choir Jackson, MS, founded in 1988 by Frank Williams
  • Willie Mitchell (professional musician and arranger, prominent bandleader) March 23, 1928, in Ashland, MS, owns the world-famous Royal Recording Studio
  • Mary Ann Mobley (singer) 1939, 1959 Miss America, Broadway, movie musicals Girl Happy, Harum Scarum with Elvis Presley
  • Robbie Montgomery (singer) Columbus, MS
  • Aaron Moore (boogie-woogie) Greenwood, MS, 1928
  • Brew Moore (jazz) Indianola, MS, died 1973 in Stockholm, Sweden, tenor sax
  • Dorothy Moore (blues) Jackson, MS 1947
  • Johnny B. Moore (blues guitarist) Clarksdale, MS
  • Steve Moore (alternative, rock, country) acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica, mandolin, percussion, and lead vocals, began music career in 1977 has worked as a singer/songwriter, studio owner, publisher, recording engineer, record producer, independent label head for New South Records, Meridian, MS
  • Tommy Moran (Bay St. Louis, MS)
  • Colonel  Robert Morris Singer/Songwriter/Musician, Senatobia, MS
  • McKinley Morganfield, better known as Muddy Waters, Rolling Fork, MS, 1915-1983
  • "Blind" Mississippi Morris (Clarksdale, MS)
  • Moon Mullen (jazz trumpet, composer) Mayhew, 1916
  • Matt "Guitar" Murphy (guitarist) (Sunflower, MS)
  • Charles Douglas "Charlie" Musselwhite (blues)  Kosciusko, MS, 1944
  • Dave Myers  aka The Thumper (blues), Byhalia, MS
  • Louis Myers (blues) Byhalia, MS
  • Sam Myers (blues singer, harmonica player, drummer) Laurel, MS, 1936, appeared in blues band in film China Moon in 1994, Nominated for the 2005 Handy Award, played with Anson Furnderburgh and the Rockets, suffers from throat cancer in 2006.

N

O

  • Alexander O'Neal  Natchez, MS, 1953, balladeer, funkster, gospel, early in career a member of  Jackson, Mississippi, based group called Wynd Chymes
  • Paul Ott (country)Listen to the Eagle show, Dixie Springs, MS
  • Paul Overstreet (country songwriter)  Vancleave, MS, 1955
  • Jack Owens (blues) Bentonia, MS (featured in Lomax's The Land Where the Blues Began)
  • Jimmy Owens (gospel composer) Clarksdale and Jackson, 1930,  brother of Pat Fordice, founder of School of Music Ministries International, now retired

P

  • Willard Aldrich Palmer (accordion and pianist, teacher, author of numerous piano books), 1917-1996, McComb, MS
  • "Little Junior" Parker 1932-1971,  Clarksdale
  • Van Dyke Parks 1943 (songwriter) Hattiesburg, Mississippi, wrote music for the Beach Boys
  • Michael Passons (gospel--Avalon) Yazoo City, MS
  • James Pasquale - recording guitarist and song writer, Meridian, Mississippi, co-wrote "Slip Away" for Ray Charles plus 27 other ASCAP credited works, Played two concerts last year at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Played on the Buddy Guy album that was one of the Grammy nominations; Recorded on Al Green's last 2 albums, working on a new John Mayer album,  played on album in 2005 for film actor, Peter Gallagher, co-founder of The Flares.
  • Charley Patton, (first great Delta bluesman) near Edwards, MS (Hinds County) 1887-1934
  • Hartley Peavey  founder of Peavey Electronics in Meridian, member MS Musicians Hall of Fame, Rock Walk of Fame
  • Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins (blues pianist)  Belzoni, MS, 1913
  • Ben Peters (country songwriter for many recording stars) Greenville, MS and Hollandale, MS, 1937
  • The Pilgrim Jubilees or "The Jubes" (gospel), founded in 1944 by Elgie Graham and Willie Johnson, Houston, MS
  • Lonnie Pitchford  (blues) Lexington, MS
  • Clyde Pitts (country singer, musician, lead guitarist, songwriter) Jackson
  • Tommy Polk (Nashville songwriter)
  • Eugene Powell (blues) Greenville, MS
  • Elvis Presley (rock and roll) Tupelo, MS, 1935-1977
  • Leontyne Price (Operatic soprano, first black to achieve stardom in opera, winner of fifteen Grammy awards)
  • Charley Pride (recording artist, three-time Grammy winner in country music), Sledge, MS, 1938
  • Tommy T-Bone Pruitt
  • James Edward "Snooky" Pryor (blues)  Lambert, MS

R

  • The Red Tops Vicksburg, MS
  • Jimmy Reed  Mathias James Reed (blues) Dunleith, MS, 1925-1976
  • Del Rendon and the Puerto Rican Rum Drunks, Starkville, MS (Del Rendon died September 4, 2005)
  • Rhonda Richmond, (jazz) Jackson, MS
  • Sonny Riddell
  • Dave Riley (blues) 1949 Hattiesburg
  • LeAnn Rimes (country music singer) Jackson, 1982
  • Johnny Robbins - singer in clubs in and around Tupelo beginning in the early 60's until his death from cancer in the early 80's. He recorded four songs at Fame in 1963 as a backup singer with the TEMPOS. He also recorded two songs on the Sun Label which have been released in Europe as Johnny Robbins and the Peppers.
  • Fenton Robinson (blues), Minter City (Greenwood), MS, 1935-1997
  • Andy Rodgers (harmonica blues) 1922
  • Jesse Rodgers (country) first cousin of Jimmie Rodgers, Waynesboro, MS, 1911-1973
  • Jimmie Rodgers (father of country music, songwriter, blues) 1897-1933, Meridian, MS
  • Jimmy Rogers  (blues) born in Ruleville, MS, 1924-1997
  • Charles Isaiah "Doc" Ross (guitar blues)  Tunica, MS, 1925
  • Steve Rouse (bassoonist, rhythm and blues, theory and composition) Moss Point, 1953
  • David Ruffin  (lead singer of the Temptations) Whynot, Mississippi 1941-1991
  • Jimmy Ruffin
  • Bobby Rush (funky blues)  Jackson, MS
  • Otis Rush  (blues)  Philadelphia, MS, 1934
  • Johnny Russell (country) Sunflower County, MS, 1940

S

  • Bob Saxton (country) Newton County and Jackson, MS
  • James Sclater, composer, clarinetist, winner of American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) for nine consecutive years, Clinton, MS  (CD with Angela Willoughby called Conversations)
  • Second Mile (gospel) Philadelphia, MS
  • Eddie Shaw, (Chicago blues saxophone player) Stringtown, MS
  • J. D. Short (blues singer) Port Gibson, MS
  • Brandi Shurden  Starkville, Mississippi (country)
  • Chad Simmons (country) Brookhaven, MS
  • Gene Simmons  Tupelo, original rockabilly artist and the lead singer for the Bill Black Combo for years, recorded many songs for Hi and Sun Records in Memphis,third songwriter on Time McGraw's Indian Outlaw,  hit in the 60's called Haunted House.
  • James Simmons - Tupelo, singer with the Tempos
  • Dalton Smith (jazz trumpeter) Forest,  lead trumpet for Stan Kenton in the 60's, studio freelance artist
  • Mack Allen Smith Carroll County, Mississippi
  • Wadada Leo Smith (jazz, world music theory) 1941 Leland
  • Otis "Big Smokey"  Smothers (Chicago blues guitarist) Lexington, MS
  • Albert "Little Smokey" Smothers (Chicago blues) Tchula, MS
  • Son House  (Eddie James, Jr.)
  • Otis Spann, (pianist) Belzoni, MS, 1930-1970
  • Britney Spears (McComb, Mississippi)
  • H. C. Speir (Jackson businessman known as the Godfather of Delta Blues, discovered many blues artists) died 1972
  • Squirrel Nut Zippers (see Jimbo Mathus )
  • The Staple Singers  (Roebuck "Pop" Staples) Winona, MS
  • Garrison Starr (Hernando, Mississippi)
  • Frank Stewart
  • Lisa Stewart (songwriter--country, rock) Louisville, MS, 1968
  • William Grant Still (composer, Afro-American Symphony first symphonic work by a black performed in US), Woodville, MS
  • Laurie Stiratt (Oxford) vocalist, once member of now defunct Blue Mountain group
  • Sarah Streeter (aka Big Time Sarah) Coldwater, MS
  • Frank Stokes
  • Napolian Strickland (blues)  Como, MS
  • Barrett Strong
  • Marty Stuart (country) Philadelphia, MS, 1958
  • Hubert Sumlin (guitar blues)  Greenwood, MS, 1931
  • Slim Sunnyland, born Albert Luandrew, (pianist) Vance, MS
  • Glenn Sutton (Jackson and Utica, MS)  songwriter of 27 BMI hits, formerly married to Lynn Anderson, produced her hit, "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden" for which he received a Platinum Album and Gold Single Award
  • Jimmy Swan (country "The Way You're Living") Hattiesburg, MS
  • Bobby Joe Swilley, Langford, MS, (Mississippi Mud) Rockabilly Hall of Fame

T

  • The Tangents (see Charlie Love Jacobs, also Duff Durrough and the Revelators, Fish Michie, and Bob Barbee)
  • Greg "Fingers" Taylor, (rock and roll) Jackson since high school
  • Eddie "Playboy" Taylor (blues guitarist) guitarist for Jimmy Reed,  Benoit, MS, 1923
  • Hound Dog Taylor, (slide guitarist) Natchez. MS, 1917-1975
  • Melvin Taylor , Jackson, MS
  • W.C. Taylor
  • 3 Doors Down (rock) from Escatawpa, Mississippi, 3 Doors Down is Brad Arnold, lead vocals; Matt Roberts, guitar; Todd Harrell, bass and Chris Henderson, guitar
  • Johnny "Geechie" Temple, Canton, MS, 1906-1968
  • Pat Thomas (blues)
  • Rufus Thomas (blues) Cayce, MS 1917-2001
  • Son Thomas, (blues) born James Thomas,  Eden, MS
  • Paul Thorn  singer who tours all over the US,  has written several songs recorded by artists such as Sawyer Brown and Tanya Tucker.   
  • Henry Townsend (blues pianist and guitar player)  Shelby, MS
  • Walter Turnbull (leader of Boys Choir of Harlem, opera) Greenville, MS,  wrote Lift Every Voice : Expecting the Most  and Getting the Best from All of God's  Children
  • Ike Turner (blues, rock and roll) Clarksdale, MS, 1931
  • Othar Turner (blues) Gravel Springs, MS, 1908
  • Conway Twitty  (born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, country music singer and songwriter),  Friars Point, MS, 1933-1994

U

  • Matt Ulmer (Charlie Mars Band) Jackson, MS
  • Utica Jubilee Singers, (gospel) Utica, MS

V

  • Steven Van Acker Madison, MS
  • Mose Vinson (blues pianist) Holly Springs, , MS, 1917
  • Walter Vinson, (guitarist and singer with Mississippi Sheiks) Bolton, MS, 1901-1975

W

  • "Big Moose" Walker (Chicago blues piano) Greenville, MS
  • Robert Bilbo Walker, Clarksdale, MS
  • L'il Bill Wallace (bass of Delta Blue)
  • The Walley Family (gospel) Richton, MS
  • Wade Walton (harmonica and guitar playing barber) Lombardy, MS
  • John Ward (songwriter) Natchez, MS
  • Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield)  Singer, blues guitarist, songwriter (Rolling Fork and Clarksdale, MS)
  • Harvey "Pop" Watkins, Sr.
  • Libby Rae Watson (blues)
  • William Watson (new age/classical pianist) Hattiesburg, MS,  new album Burnham Woods, debut album Fields
  • Freddie Waits jazz drummer
  • Jim Weatherly Ponotoc, (has written over 120 songs registered by ASCAP), best known for writing hit songs for Gladys Knight in the 1970s,  born on March 17, 1943. 
  • Boogie Bill Webb, Jackson, MS
  • Lloyd Wells (country and jazz guitarist) Music Director of Opryland USA, guitarist for Broadway shows, 1938
  • Bobby Whalen (blues) Indianola, MS
  • Chapman Welch  See also Law of Nature
  • Artie White (blues singer) Vicksburg, MS
  • Bukka White (traditional blues singer and slide guitarist) Houston, MS, 1906-1977
  • Harry K.  White  saxophonist, born 1967 in Gulfport, graduated from Starkville High School, brother of Oxford playwright Neil W. White III, performs throughout US and Europe, Rascher Quartet
  • Johnny Wiginton (country) North MS, a studio guitar player in and around Tupelo since the early sixties, has opened for or jammed with many older stars in the U.S, a regular on The Morning Show on Channel 9 in Tupelo since the show came on the air. He still continues to work in several studios in North Mississippi, operates a guitar repair shop in Tupelo Consignment Music.
  • Geeshie Wiley early Delta country blues woman
  • Joe Willie Wilkins, (played guitar behind Sonny Boy Williamson) Davenport, MS
  • Robert Timothy Wilkins (blues) 1896-1987
  • Williams Brothers  (gospel) Summit, Mississippi, founded 1960 by Leon "Pop" Williams
  • Robert Wilkins, (guitarist and singer) Hernando, MS
  • Frank Williams (see Mississippi Mass Choir )
  • Big Joe Williams (Delta blues guitarist and singer) Crawford, MS
  • Melvin Williams
  • Milan B. Williams
  • Sonny Boy Williamson II (aka Rice Miller) Glendora, MS 1899-1965
  • Al Wilson  Meridian, MS, 1939-2008, singer, performer, drummer
  • Lester Senter Wilson (opera singer, Mississippi Governor's Award 2001)
  • Cassandra Wilson (jazz singer and songwriter) 1997 MS Governor's Award for Excellence, Jackson, MS, 1955
  • Gerald Stanley Wilson (jazz trumpet) 1918, Shelby
  • Mary Wilson (the Supremes) Greenwood, MS, 1944
  • Smokey Wilson (blues)  Glen Allan, MS
  • Johnny Winter (blues) Leland, MS
  • Craig Wiseman (country) Hattiesburg, MS., CMA 2004 Song of the Year award for "Live Like You Were Dying" (Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman) and received 2005 Grammy nomination (singer  Tim McGraw), writer of the hit songs “Where the Green Grass Grows,” “The Good Stuff,” “Just Another Day in Paradise,” “The Cowboy in Me,” and many more, author of inspirational book Live Like You Were Dying.
  • David Womack (composer, song writer, performer, producer) Jackson, MS, wrote  I Was Born to Be Country (TV), Max (commercial), Brookhaven (commercial), Ain't No jokin' (commercial), Eden (musical), Fantasy Island (TV series), What's Woodie Say? (TV promo) Song writer, performer, producer, ASCAP Award winner, 2 time recipient of the Eudora Welty New Play Series for Musicals award, Best Jingle - Jackson Music Awards 
  • Nanette Workman, (popular Canadian singing star), raised in Jackson, MS
  • Bobby Wood   New Albany, MS, (one of the Memphis Boys, singer, songwriter, session player, producer), co-wrote "Talkin' In Your Sleep," wrote "Committment" for Le Ann Rimes, and many others songs for many singers,  born on Jan. 25, 1941.
  • Tammy Wynette (country music singer), Tremont, MS

Y

Z

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Last updated December 3, 2008
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