Stars land at Ground Zero
By Rebecca Hood-Adams • Lifestyle Editor • Clarksdale Press Register • May 28, 2001

Heads turned when Hollyood royalty hustled into Ground Zero Blues Club.

Necks snapped as music's superstars strolled into Sunday night's private party celebrating the grand opening of Clarksdale's newest blues club.

But deep Deltans knew serious money was headed in the door with the arrival of Puddin' Hatchett, the 71-year-old Southern sultan of three-card monte.

Puddin' crossed the threshold on the heels of a press pack led by People magazine, The Atlanta Journal Constitution and assorted East and West Coast talking heads. They left with their wallets lighter and their tailbones shaking from one of the biggest parties in the history of a county that gave Tennessee Williams a lifetime's stage material.

Inside, locals mingled with co-owners Bill Luckett, Howard Stovall and Morgan Freeman, who introduced his special guests: the Judd sisters.

Ashley Judd--in black slip dress with a feathered purse and plumed coche--recently starred with Freeman in the filmAlong Came A Spider.The pair kicked off the evening dancing in the aisles to Mustang Sally, performed by the Ground Zero house band, Big T and The Family.

Although Ashley Judd's appearance had been rumored, the appearance of sister Wynona--Nashville's queen of blues and rock-flavored country--was egg in their beer for not-easily-impressed Deltans.

In her trademark widebrimmed black hat and long-jacketed pants suit, Wynona's style impressed local ladies engaged in recreational rating of guests' attire.

Partyers provided more dish than spoon: Buttery leather coats encrusted with mirrors the size of mandarin oranges. Barely-there dresses clearly without foundation garments. Men in makeup. But it was just another pig for blues legend Pinetop Perkins, who refused to go on stage until 12:01 am.

"The place is nice," he said. "But my Daddy was a Baptist preacher who said to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. I still mind him--no blues on Sunday."

The early portion of the evening was a mix of media schmoozing and presentations. Nancy and Miro Ferracci of Miro's Music Shoppe joined representatives of Peavey Guitar in presenting to Ground Zero a "Clarksdale Flat Top," one of five in a new line of historical acoustical guitars designed by the Meridian company.

The Clarksdale model--unusual for its bolt-on neck design--joins the Indianola, Tupelo, Aberdeen and "Route" 61 guitars. Like much associated with the Delta bues, the Clarksdale guitar is the least expensive in the line, but ultimately may prove the most valuable.

Production has been suspended, according to Peavey sales rep Hollis Calvert, until quality-control problems can be remedied. This gives the blues club possession of a--for now at least--rare instrument.

The only production problems, however, for Ground Zero's party were averted after Moter Nature was wrestled to the ground by Father Time.

For an hour-and-a-half, the Judds' Lear jet circled Clarksdale as lightning autographed the night sky. Despite one of the worst electrical storms in recent memory, the Judds' pilot persisted until their plane finally touched ground--just in time to drench both sisters as they dashed though the doors.

After a quick change and dinner at Madidi--the fine-dining restaurant Freeman and Luckett opened six months ago--the Judd contingency arrived to find locals well on their way to what Luckett called "one of the wildest nights" for people always "ready to rock."

"This is where America's music all began," said Freeman, explaining the origins of the club's name. "Clarksdale is not just 'The Cross-roads' for the blues. It's the epicenter, ground zero for our nation's musical heritage. Everything from jazz to rock is rooted in blues born in the Delta."

"What a great economic opportunity for Clarksdale," said Daniel Vassel, a Delta Council executive who attended the bash with wife Tana. "Bill Luckett could live and do business anywhere in the world, but he deserves a lot of credit for choosing to be here."

Vassel's calm bloodstream, however, soon gave way to fullfledged fanitis. As word spread that the Judds were about to arrive. Vassel eased from Tana's side to wait by the door.

When the Judds cross the threshold, Vassel stepped between Ashley and Winona long enough for a quick photograph and a worshipful word.

"We can go now," he chortled afterward."I've lived 'the life!' I know how it feels to be in Hollywood.

"They're both very pretty," was Tana's lone comment as her husband continued to tease.

"You know, Ashely asked me for my phone number," he joked with Chamber of Commerce director Ron Hudson, "but that's where I draw the line."

A glance from their wives and the men resumed talk of local politics, sports, and the weather. But nothing wiped the grin off Vassel's face as the band played on.