“Railroadin’ Some Book Signing Tour : Tennessee, Mississippi & Arkansas” by Max Haymes (edited by Alan White)
Preamble
“Railroadin’ Some : Railroads in the Early Blues” by Max Haymes
This groundbreaking book, written by one of the foremost blues historians in the UK, is based on over 30 years research, study and absolute passion for early blues music. It is the first ever comprehensive study of the enormous impact of the railroads on 19th and early 20th Century black American society and the many and varied references to this new phenomenon in early blues lyrics.
The book was published in 2006 and two book signing tours were arranged to promote the book, one in the UK and the other, naturally, in the USA. Prior to publication I had been approached by Liza Schnabel, Director of the Martin & Sue King Railroad History Museum in Cleveland, Mississippi, who had been reading railroad essays on the Earlyblues.com website and had also read the advance promotion for Max’s book on the website. She was keen to get a copy to help in her ‘History of the Railroads in the Delta’ timeline she was compiling for the museum. After many emails this was the start of planning a trip to Mississippi for Max to present a copy of his book to Liza and also to Keith Dockery, the widow of Joe Rice Dockery decd. (son of the founder Will Dockery) and the (then) owner of Dockery Farms Plantation. Sadly Keith passed away during the planning of the trip but Liza arranged for the presentation to be to other members of the Dockery family, in the guise of the newly evolving ‘Dockery Farms Foundation’. Click here for information about the Dockery Farms Foundation.
To make the most of the trip to the USA, Max contacted his long term friend Dr. David Evans, (Ethnomusicologist and Director of the Ethnomusicology/Regional Studies program in the University of Memphis, author and musician),who had also been involved in reviewing the original manuscript of the book. David invited us to stay at his home in Memphis for the first stage of our trip for a few days of discussion, music, and merriment!
The stage was set, Max, his brother Rex and I arranged the trip in two parts, five days in and around Memphis, Tennessee and five days in and around Cleveland, Mississippi. David arranged to take us to iconic venues and events in Memphis whilst Liza, not only arranged the formal ‘Dockery’ presentation ceremony in the museum in Cleveland (to include various dignitaries and eminent blues scholars) but also escorted us on a tour of southern Mississippi blues haunts par excellence!
Alan White
Earlyblues.com
This is Max’s take on the trip …
Part One – based in Memphis, Tennessee with host Dr. David Evans (Ethnomusicologist and Director of the Ethnomusicology/Regional Studies program in the University of Memphis, author and musician), the tour includes Millington TN, Memphis TN, Oxford MS, Jackson TN, Helena AK and Lula MS.
Thursday, 31st August 2006
Delta bound… travelling from Manchester, UK to Atlanta, GA then to Memphis, TN, staying for 4 nights at the home of Dr. David Evans.
Friday, 1st September 2006
Wine tasting at the Old Millington Vineyard and Winery, Millington, TN then shopping on Beale Street, Memphis, TN, and finally back to David’s home for an evening of blues guitar.
Saturday, 2nd September 2006
Square Books Store, Oxford, MS, then to the N. C, & St, L, Depot & Railroad Museum and the Casey Jones Railroad Museum, both in Jackson, TN.
Sunday, 3rd September 2006
The Old Millington Vineyard and Winery, Millington, TN (for more wine and good sounds), then on to the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival, Memphis, TN.
Monday, 4th September 2006
Moving on from Memphis, down Highway 61, branching off to Helena, AK and then on to Cleveland, MS for the next 5 nights at the fabulous Molly’s B&B.
Coming soon …
Part Two – based in Cleveland, Mississippi with host Liza Schnabel (Director of the Martin & Sue King Railroad Museum, Cleveland and leading Southern historian), the tour includes Cleveland, Clarksdale, Merigold, Mound Bayou, Drew, Ruleville, Greenville, Greenwood, Itta Bena, Belzoni, Indianola, Port Gibson and Edwards.
Tuesday, 5th September 2006
Further on down Highway 61 crossing over Sunflower County to Club Ebony Juke Joint, Indianola, MS, then on Steve LaVere’s Blues Heritage Museum and Gallery, Greenwood, MS. A visit to Robert Johnson’s grave, on to Itta Bena, and finally on to the Old Jailhouse at Belzoni, MS.
Wednesday, 6th September 2006
Back up Highway 61 to Helena, AK to appear on the King Biscuit Time Radio Show (KFFA 1360), then on to Lula, Friars Point, Stoval and Rosedale. Finally back to the Martin & Sue King Railroad Heritage Museum, Cleveland, MS for presentations on ‘Mississippi Delta – Past, Present & Future’.
Thursday, 7th September 2006
Morning relaxation at Dockery Farm, Cleveland then a guided cultural tour of the Delta in the afternoon by Dr Luther Brown (Director of the Delta Center for Culture & Learning, Delta State University, Cleveland) visiting Po Monkey’s Juke Joint, Merigold, Mound Bayou, Drew, on to Ruleville, then back to Cleveland, MS.
Friday, 8th September 2006
Way on down Highway 61 passing by Vicksburg and on to the ‘Cultural Crossroads’ Gallery, Port Gibson, MS, then back to Edwards, MS, and on to Greenville, MS.
Saturday, 9th September 2006
Delta Blues Museum and Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art, Clarksdale, MS and on up Highway 61 back to Memphis, TN
Homeward bound… Delta Airways from Memphis, TN to Atlanta, GA to Manchester, UK.
Sunday, 10th September 2006
Home and sleep at last!
Themed Photo Galleries and Information
Clarksdale, Mississippi (photos from later 2008 tour)
Dockery Farms Plantation, Cleveland, Mississippi
N.C.&St.L. (Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis) Depot & Railroad Museum, Jackson, Tennessee
Port Gibson and the Rabbit Foot Minstrels, Mississippi
Bibliography and other useful information