The Muddy Magnolias are an indie rock band based in Nashville formed in 2014 by songwriters, Jessy Wilson and Kallie North. Their songs reflect Wilson’s Brooklyn roots and North’s Texas/ Mississippi background. Their debut album, Broken People, was released in 2016 and is described as “city grit meets Delta dirt.” The Magnolias have been touring extensively (including a memorable show last year at Proud Larry’s) and recently had one of their songs included on the soundtrack of the new Ghostbusters movie. The New York Times describes their music as “merging soul and country on a shared foundation of gospel and blues.”

Jimmy “Duck” Holmes is the last living practitioner of the celebrated style of “Bentonia blues” made famous by Skip James and Jack Owens. In addition, Holmes operates what is arguably the oldest juke joint left in Mississippi, the Blue Front Café, and is the organizer of one of the longest-running festivals in the state – the Bentonia Blues Festival. Holmes’ latest CD is It Is What It Is. Holmes’ manager is Oxford resident and veteran blues promoter/photographer, Dick Waterman.

Peter’s Cooper’s entertaining new book is Johnny’s Cash & Charley’s Pride: Lasting Legends and Untold Adventures in Country Music (Spring House Press). Cooper is Director of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a senior lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. A Grammy-nominated songwriter, he played bass for Loretta Lynn and his friendships stretch from Waylon to Taylor; from Merle to Dierks. One hilarious essay describes his introducing the Grateful Dead’s Robert Hunter to Porter Wagoner. As acclaimed music author Peter Guralnick says, “There’s a gem on every page. You’re in for a treat.”