Mississippi Blues Marathon

“The Blues are really about telling a story.  Ask any blues musician what the blues represent to them and they will tell you it’s about life and telling their stories.  Mississippi has produced more blues musicians than any other part of this country.  It has not only affected Mississippi, but the culture of the entire United States.”

Dr. Edgar Smith

This Saturday, January 10, runners from around the country will gather at the Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art for a beloved race around the city of Jackson.  The Mississippi Blues Marathon, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield, boasts a beautiful, rolling course in the capital city.  Participants will enjoy a spectacular mix of Blues music throughout the race, and award-winning medals will greet them at the finish line.

John Noblin, Director of the race, says, “We are looking forward to again welcoming runners from all over the country and beyond for the 8th Annual Mississippi Blues Marathon.”

While the course is impressive, what’s most impressive is who directly benefits from the race. 

A portion of the proceeds from the annual marathon is donated to the Mississippi Blues Commission’s Musician Benevolent Fund.  Dr. Edgar Smith, founding chairman of the Blues Musician Benevolent Committee explains, “Many of the Mississippi blues musicians are living in extreme poverty, needing food, shelter, and medical care.  We are about assisting these needy blues musicians who don’t have the funds to pay for their medical bills or everyday expenses.  We have even taken care of burial costs.”

Mississippi is the “Home of the Blues” and this poignant music has roots deeply planted in our Delta soil. However, many of the artists who express their heart and soul in the blues are greatly struggling. 

The need to help our blues musicians is real. 

Though Dr. Smith spent much of his life as a biochemist researcher and professor in Boston, Massachusetts, he has returned to his hometown to retire and enjoy life.  “I am a native of the Mississippi Delta.  I have been involved in the blues all of my life.  I grew up next to the biggest juke joint in town and those are the people with whom I grew up.”  Dr. Smith’s heart is in the blues.  Wishing to help these ailing musicians, he took the leadership role with the Fund Committee and says, “The group has been outstanding.”

Photo of Dr. Edgar Smith with the late blues guitarist James T Model Ford and his wife, Estella (Photo courtesy of Dr. Edgar Smith)

The Mississippi Blues Marathon grants $10,000 each year to the Benevolent Fund.  “This has been a tremendous help to us and we are extremely grateful to Blue Cross Blue Shield.  This is a way for people to directly benefit our blues musicians.”  What a wonderful way to support the musicians who so beautifully express their life stories through the blues. 

For information on the MS Blues Marathon, please click here.

To learn about the Mississippi Blues Commission, visit their website here.  You can learn about the Benevolent Fund here. 

Thank you, Dr. Edgar Smith, for sharing your story and the opportunity to help Mississippi's blues musicians in need!
{Blog by Mitchell Walters}