Mississippi Blues Commission

The Blues Commission is a body of
eighteen appointed Commissioners
representing major organizations and
geographic/political regions supporting
Blues initiatives throughout the state.
It is chaired by an appointee of the Governor.

Mississippi Blues
COMMISSION Members

MDA MISSISSIPPI TRAILS DIRECTOR:
Alex Thomas Jackson, Miss
STATUTORY MEMBERS:
D. Craig Ray, Vice Chairman MDA Tourism Division	Marie Antoon Jackson, Miss.
H.T. (Hank) Holmes Jackson, Miss.	Ted Ownby University, Miss.
Malcolm White Jackson, Miss.	Dr. Luther Brown Cleveland, Miss.
GOVERNOR APPOINTMENTS:
James Butler, Sr. Clarksdale, Miss.	Charles Reid Clarksdale, Miss.
Bill McPherson, Chairman Indianola, Miss.	Jesse Robinson Jackson, Miss.
Bill Seratt, Secretary Vicksburg, Miss.	Edgar E. Smith, Ph.D. Jackson, Miss.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR APPOINTMENTS:
Senator Hilman T. Frazier Jackson, Miss.

SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS:
Willie Bailey Greenville, Miss.	Representative Sara Thomas Indianola, Miss.
ALTERNATES:
Ken P’Pool Director, Division of Historic Preservation Jackson, Miss.	Larry Morrisey Director of Mississippi Heritage Program Jackson, Miss.
Chrissy Wilson Public Information Officer, MDAH Jackson, Miss.	George Irvin State Director, RDA Jackson, Miss.

Legislation

The Mississippi Blues Commission was organized in October 2003 by gubernatorial decree and was legally re-constituted in 2004 by the State Legislature. Senate Bill 2082 officially established the Mississippi Blues Commission and declared that the Commission will develop a plan to promote authentic Mississippi Blues music and Blues culture for purposes of economic development.

This Bill also enables the Commission to accept and expend grant funds and gives permission to purchase and erect Mississippi Blues Trail historical markers with the assistance of the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
(Senate Bill 2082).