the blues & mr barretta.

Earlier we met with a Mr. Scott Barretta. He is known as “Mississippi’s Blues Detective” and he is a writer and researcher. He is known for hunting down the stories of blues musicians. He hunts down those who may not have gotten the exposure they deserved in order to piece together a better a more complete picture of Mississippi music. He soon got a name for his ability to track down even the most elusive of blues artists.

He spoke with us mainly about the “Blue Trail” markers that have been placed all around Mississippi. They are a signs with facts and history about a person, area, or land mark in the area. The number and popularity of these markers is already high, and still rising. He helps research and write them, and he was one of the first people involved with the project from its humble beginnings.

We also spoke more casually about music and life. He seems to be a very laid back, relaxed guy. He runs a radio show, which i can see him doing. He seems to be a guy who has found what he enjoys in life and stuck with it. He also told us where we can get the best barbecue in the area, even though Oxford isnt exactly the best place to find barbecue apparently.

He discovered blues when he was around 15 through rock and roll. He was soon buying records of blues artists. Eventually he grew more and more involved and ended up working on blues journalism and he began working with “Living Blues” the premiere blues magazine which is based in Mississippi. At some point he began teaching sociology an University of Mississippi, all the while still involved in blues music. I recommend looking him up.