The Hill Country Blues

It might be hard for some of my West Virginian friends to believe this, but where I live in Mississippi is actually consider "hill country." Hills yes, mountains no. Can't wait to come home for Thanksgiving!

One great thing about living in hill country in Northern Mississippi is taking in the Hill Country Blues. Most people are more familiar with the Detla blues (if you're not you can check out Eric Clapton's Me and Mr. Johnson for a contemporary take on classic Delta blues). The hill country blues are more up beat and more fun to dance to if I do say so myself!

Abby and I got a chance to experience the local blues seen first hand last Sunday at the Foxfire Ranch in Holly Springs MS (about 1/2 hour from Oxford). Thanks to a tip from one of my professors we made it to the event that featured country cuisine, a bonfire, and some serious blues. It was great to spend the evening just relaxing with a diverse crowd and enjoying some music. Can hardly wait for next summer when the Foxfire Ranch let the blues roll again.

I didn't recognize hardly any of the music that was played that night (besides a cover of Bad Bad Leroy Brown). But with the blues it's not about specific songs or words. It's a style, a feeling, and a way of life down here. One that I hope to become more familiar with will I live in the beautiful Northern Mississippi hill country!