An Arkansas Originals Music Culture Program
Celebrating Pioneers of the Arkansas River Delta Blues
An Arkansas Originals Music Culture Program
Celebrating Pioneers of the Arkansas River Delta Blues
Our Heritage
The Arkansas River Delta Blues Trail is dedicated to preserving the rich blues heritage of the region. Through music education and storytelling, we honor the musicians who helped shape the Blues genre and the American music industry.
These stories are foundational to our history as a state and southern culture, and the Trail helps connect people to the soul of Arkansas pioneers and the influential music they created. It's entertainment, but it is also educational, establishing a common thread and inspiring hope in future talents who are drawn down the same path.
Honoring Arkansas Legends
Celebrating and Collaborating
The launch of the Arkansas River Delta Blues Trial is an inaugural preservation program offered through its philanthropic partner, Arkansas Originals, which champions the people, places, and projects that define Arkansas culture.
The first initiative of the Arkansas River Delta Blues Trail involves collaborating with key stakeholders from recognized cities and counties along the planned Arkansas River Delta Blues Trail. This collaboration aims to increase awareness of blues legends through historical markers, visual story experiences, and educational and event components in local schools and communities.
Recognizing the historical Arkansas River Delta Blues legends will be a fundamental part of the initial launch. This includes fundraising to place the markers in their honor and create community events along the trail, showcasing local blues musical talents while paying homage to those who have forged the path before.
To start, the first six honorees have been announced along with fundraising and partnership efforts to complete all historical markers and planned events over the next twelve months. Over the next few months, additional markers celebrating historical blues legends will be unveiled across key sites in Scott, Pine Bluff, and surrounding towns in the Arkansas River Delta, with events and educational resources highlighting each artist’s story and musical legacy.
2025 Honorees
The first set of the Arkansas River Delta Blues Trail honorees are:
- Bobby Rush (Emmett Ellis, Jr.), GRAMMY-winning showman and “King of the Chitlin’ Circuit”
- Big Bill Broonzy (Lee Conley Bradley), Folk-blues ambassador and Delta-to-Chicago bridge
- Ellis CeDell Davis, Slide guitar innovator with punk-blues edge
- Larry “Totsy” Davis, Electric blues songwriter of “Texas Flood”
- Elmon Mickle (Driftin’ Slim), Harmonica-driven storyteller of Delta roots
- Sylvia Lee Burton (Queen Sylvia), One of the first Black women to lead blues bands in the Delta
