The beginning
In the early 1900's the first blues tourists started arriving in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Our secret was out, they had heard of our rich musical history. They were seeking that "real deal" blues experience. During this time, a handful of juke joints in Clarksdale were the place to find it. This is where we give a shout out to those that came before us. Margaret's Blue Diamond Lounge, The Red Top Lounge aka "Smitty's", and last but not least, Red's. Each place anchored a scene for local, and legendary, blues musicians to play. Big Jack Johnson, The Wesley Jefferson Band, Johnnie Billington, and the Stone Gas Band to name a few. Not every night was one for the blues during the 1990's and because of this a dream was born.
Morgan Freeman, Bill Luckett, and Howard Stovall envisioned a place. A place where anyone, and everyone, who came to Clarksdale could experience the blues. In May of 2001 Ground Zero Blues Club opened it's doors.
Howard STOVALL
Ground Zero Blues Club, Owner
“Having spent so much time in building up blues tourism, I wanted to create something that didn’t re-slice the pie, but created a brand-new branch of music tourism."
-Howard Stovall
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new addition
In 2017 During his in person indoctrination to Delta Blues, Eric Meier met our trio of owners. One year later, because of his love for the blues, Meier chose to join the Ground Zero Blues Club family as an investor. In 2021, Eric assumed a greater role in the company.
Ground Zero Blues Club, Owner
eric meier
Morgan freeman
Ground Zero Blues Club, Owner
To the world Morgan Freeman is an Academy Award winning actor and narrator. To us at Ground Zero Blues Club Clarksdale, he's one of the bosses. (A good one at that.) Morgan is a blues music fan and when his schedule allows for it, he comes on down to Clarksdale, MS.
William Luckett
March 17, 1948 - October 28,2021
Ground Zero Blues Club lost one of our founding owners, Bill Luckett. In losing Bill we lost more than an owner, a boss, we a lost a piece of us. When he walked through the door of Ground Zero he was home and wanted to make everyone feel like they were at home too. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't miss him, or carry him with us in our hearts.
"Bill, you will forever be the best part of us and will never be forgotten. We will always remember you as Brother Bill, drink Tito's, and twirling Ms. Francine across the dance floor. Until we meet again."
Ground ZERO BLUES CLUB
CLARKSDALE, MS
Ground Zero, defined as a starting point, square one. Our name is our way to pay homage to the Mississippi Delta, an area that produced musical legends. Musicians that fought hard to establish themselves. Blues musicians that changed all genres of music. As musician Willie Dixon once said, "Blues are the roots and the other musics are the fruits."
Situated in a repurposed, un-remodeled building. A building that once housed the Delta Grocery and Cotton Co. in 1905. Ground Zero Blues Club offers an experience you can't find anywhere else. We've hosted several renowned blues artists. Musicians including, but not limited to, Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram, James 'Super Chikan' Johnson, Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, and Anthony 'Big A' Sherrod.
Whenever you find the time, come on down to the Mississippi Delta, and stop by Ground Zero Blues Club. We have rooms to stay in, food to eat, and when the sun goes down we'll play the blues for you.
Established in 2001