PhillyCheeze's Rock & Blues Reviews: Phillip Smith

Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival - 2025

Clarksdale, Mississippi

August 7-9, 2025

By Phillip Smith; August 12, 2025

There’s nothing quite like a little getaway to Clarksdale, Mississippi, where one can take it easy for a few days and listen to world-class blues. Although I have visited this mecca for music fans over a dozen times, this marks my fifth trip down for the annual Sunflower Blues & Gospel Festival. Before landing in at the Crossroads though, letting loose on Beale Street in Memphis was very much in order. It’s hard to top a lip-smacking rib dinner at Rendezvous followed-up with live music at Rum Boogie Café. A three-piece ensemble called Soul Street Mojo fronted by Richard Cushing of the legendary band Freeworld rocked the joint last Wednesday night and was absolutely fabulous.

Thursday, the trek to Clarksdale began with a quick stop-over at the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Arkansas to catch the airing of King Biscuit Time radio show hosted by Thomas Jacques. The show that day featured a live musical performance from Oklahoma-based blues band Big Train and the Loco Motives. Afterward, a caravan of vehicles driven by band members, friends, and accomplices made their way to Delta Fish Market Bar & Grill for a scrumptious lunch. I had really been hankering for some catfish and fries. That kept the belly full until evening rolled around for the Grits, Greens, & BBQ dinner/welcome party next the festival stage in Clarksdale. The food there was delicious and the music by Sean “Bad” Apple (with guest Lucious Spiller) and Stan Street & The Hopeless Case Band was wonderful.

Friday started out with a haircut from Bear Ryan at Marty’s Barber Shop. When one is in the Clarksdale area, and a haircut is needed, this is the place to go. Word on the street is that Bear has a new album coming out in the near-future. I’ll sure be looking out for that one. The artists I caught playing on the main stage Friday night were the Delta Blues Museum Band, Heavy Suga & the SweetTones, Lucious Spiller, with headlining act of James “Super Chikan” Johnson & the Fighting Cocks. It’s always a pleasure to hear each and every one of these acts.

I stuffed as much music as I could into Saturday. The morning kicked off with a quick set from Kenny Brown at the acoustic stage under the VIP tent. That followed up with a late breakfast accompanied by a performance by Watermelon Slim at the Bluesberry Café. Then I headed back to the acoustic stage to hear Australia “Honey Bee” Jones with Stud Ford on guitar. Ground Zero was a great place to cool off from the Mississippi heat, and hear Big Train and the Loco Motives, Mississippi Marshall, and Little Willie Farmer. I finished off the day at the main stage with Mark “Mule Man” Massey & The Parchman Band, Terry “Big T” Williams & The Family Band, and Edna Nicole & Delta Avenue. It was a great day indeed.

As always, special thanks go out to the Patrick brothers: Kevin, Galen, and Kyle, who introduced me to Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival. You are all great friends. This is a one-of-a-kind festival which started in 1988 which I highly recommend to every blues fan.