Jimmy "Duck" Holmes has lived a life steeped in blues. Today he 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 and is the organizer of one of the longest-running festivals in the state.
Born to sharecroppers Carey and Mary Holmes in the summer of 1947, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes has lived his entire life in and around the small Mississippi town of Bentonia, home to one of the most unusual and beloved strains of Delta blues. The town was first placed on the musical map in 1931 when one of its residents, Nehemiah "Skip" James, recorded nearly two-dozen songs for Paramount Records. These recordings have gone on to become touchstones for several generations of blues fans.
Since James' death in 1969, several other blues guitarists from Bentonia emerged including Cornelius Bright, Jacob Stuckey, Henry Stuckey and, most famously, Jack Owens, all of whom have since died.
Fortunately for fans of real-deal country blues, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes has emerged as the keeper of the flame for the Bentonia blues. In April 2006, his debut CD Back to Bentonia was released by Broke & Hungry Records to universal praise. BluesMatters Magazine hailed it as an "early contender for Best Traditional Blues Recording" of 2006. Blues & Rhythm Magazine wrote, "Down-home and Delta blues fans are in for a treat – this is the real deal. A magnificent debut set from Holmes and Broke & Hungry Records." The CD was awarded three Living Blues Awards including Best Debut CD, Best Traditional/Acoustic CD and Producer of the Year for Broke & Hungry Records owner Jeff Konkel. Holmes' sophomore CD, Done Got Tired of Tryin’, recently was released to similarly rapturous reviews.
"I’ve been around blues my whole life," Holmes says. "It’s not really something I chose. I feel like it chose me. I’m just happy that people seem to like what I’m doing."
Mr Holmes , Thank you so much for teaching me E- Crosstuning . The true Bentonia playing style, then you playing it for me with a free concert and then you letting me play at your Blue Front Cafe! I will never forget my vacation on the Blues Trail because of you . I am still not quite believing it ! Thank you so much !! You are such a wonderful man and the best guitar teacher on earth!
See You at the Minnesota Music Cafe Sunday May 11th.
ALSO --- As a sponsor of the Deep Blues Festival, all members of the Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society Receive a HUGE discount on Deep Blues Fest Tickets. Become a society member today!
Thanks for the add, much appreciated, as Hawkeye Herman would put it. ;) Here's looking forward to more of that Bentonia Blues you brought back into the world ! René
A Friend Is Like A Four Leaf Clover: Hard To Find And Lucky To Have! Have A Great And Wonderful Weekend! And I Hope You Feel Good! A Big Hug For Your Friendship!
KM Williams, the Reverend of Texas Country Blues and Wesley Jefferson, one of the great country blues artists from Coahoma County, Mississippi, are the Featured artists on LiveBluesWorld this month. Stop on by, check out their profiles, listen to their music, and join the fastest growing blues community on the web.
We're excited to have Jimmy "Duck" Holmes as our featured artist on LiveBluesWorld. com, as part of our preview of the upcoming Juke Joint Festival. We're even more excited to be going to Clarksdale in April to see the man himself.
right now I am eating hoppin' john, fried chicken, corn bread, and drinking beer... while listening to you... man I am in heaven, thanks for turning us on . Rev. BD
