About the Event:
From 1966-1969, the Overton Park Shell hosted the annual Memphis Country Blues Festival, uniting white and black artists on stage. These festivals served as a benefit and showcase for blues masters like Furry Lewis, Bukka White, and Reverend Robert Wilkins, aiming to rectify the historical mistreatment of blues artists by white society and recognizing them as American cultural icons.
About the Artists:
North Mississippi Allstars
NMA started by brother Luther and Cody Dickinson in 1996 as a loose collective of musicians from their North Mississippi home inspired by their father Jim Dickinson as well as neighbors and musical elders of their community; RL Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, Otha Turner and Fred McDowell.
Luther’s first national tour was the RL Burnside Ass Pocket of Whiskey tour in 1997, selling out shows in the US and Canada. “Kenny Brown hired me to tour with RL and Cedric and showed me the ropes. That experience blew my mind. Cody and I have been on the road ever since.”
NMA began touring in 1998 and over the years the touring lineup has included, Cedric, Duwayne and Garry Burnside, Chris Chew, Berry Oakley Jr, Oteil Burbruidgem and currently Joey Williams of the Blind Boys of Alabama and Ray Ray Hollowman, guitar player for Eminem and Nee-O.
Since their debut album in 2000 and hitting the never ending road, they have shared the stage with countless legends; Phil Lesh, Mavis Staples, Robert Plant, John Hiatt, the Allman Brothers, The Black Crowes, Buddy Guy, Snoop Dogg, and Jon Spencer to name a few, while earning multiple grammy nominations for their experimental albums of they like to call Modern Mississippi Music.
Artist Socials
Mr. Sipp
Malaco Recording Artist, Castro Coleman a-k-a Mr. Sipp, was born August 25, 1976 to Johnelle and the late Vera Coleman in the small town of McComb, MS. He began playing the guitar at the tender age of 6. Through hard work and perseverance, Mr. Sipp has become a Delta Blues Force to be reckoned with! Being recognized for his amazing vocals, songwriting ability, musicianship, ability to produce records and entertain Fans with an upbeat, outlandish show all makes Mr. Sipp “The Total Package.” Above all of that, Mr. Sipp is a God fearing family man. With over 125 recording credits to his name, Mr. Sipp has played on over 50 national recordings with several Grammy ® nominated projects. He is well traveled and ready to come to play for you and spread his great gift of music to the World.
Mr. Sipp is the 2014 International Blues Challenge Winner by way of The Vicksburg Blues Society as well as the 2014 Gibson Best Guitarist Award Winner. The same year Castro was given the Bobby Rush Entertainer of the Year Award by the Jus' Blues Foundation. In 2015, he won several Jackson Music Awards including International Male Blues Artist, Blues Artist of the Year, and Entertainer of the year. 2024 Grammy Award winner of the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album with the Count Basie Orchestra for the album Basie Swings The Blues. Memphis May 2025, BB King Entertainer of the Year Award at the Blues Music Awards.
He was the BMA Best New Artist Album winner 2016 and The Spirit of Little Walter Award 2016. The same year, Castro was the first blues artist to have his handprint inducted into the Wall of Fame in Fredrikshavn Denmark. For the 25th Annual Living Blues Awards, he won the Best Blues Album of 2017 New Recordings award (Contemporary Blues) with "Knock a Hole In It," and in 2018 he won the National Blues Artist of The Year award at 44th Annual Jackson Music Awards. In 2014, Mr. Sipp was cast in the James Brown movie, “Get on Up”, in 2016 he was casted as the young B.B. King on three episodes of the CMT series “Sun Records” and in 2021 he was casted as a blues singer and musician in the movie “Texas Red” performing one of his original songs from his new album “Sippnotized” with special arrangements for the movie. Mr. Sipp’s favorite quote, “I’m living to love the life that I live, Music!!!!”
Mr. Sipp spent more than 25 years in the Gospel Music Business as a Recording Artist and a Producer! Since his BIG WIN at The International Blues Challenge in 2014 and the release of his debut Blues CD, “It’s My Guitar,” the music community has been a Buzz and welcomed him with open arms! He fills venues, theaters and festivals all over the world with his second Malaco multi award winning album “The Mississippi Blues Child” (2015). In 2017, with "Knock a Hole In It' he shares his music all over the planet from France to Switzerland, Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, and USA... and in April 2021 he “Sippnotized” the world in the middle of the pandemic.
One of THE Top performers on the Blues and Roots scene. A must for Festivals.
Artist Socials
Know Before You Go:
Food Trucks: Tops BBQ | BBQX | Eat Good Groceries | Hot & Heavy Dogs | Mempops
Picnic baskets, coolers, beverages, blankets, and lawn chairs are always welcome. We also offer food and beverage for sale in the Autozone Food and Beverage Concourse. Dogs on a leash are welcome in designated areas. Overton Park Shell is a nonsmoking facility.
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