Singer-dancer Loretta Harris-Wilson says she now has a greater appreciation for some of the things she was taught at Amanda Elzy High School.
Now 35, she admits that she didn't always see the point of some of the material. But as a member of bluesman Bobby Rush's band, she has traveled all over the world and seen history and geography come alive in places such as Finland, Norway, Italy and Spain.
On Tuesday, she will venture into new territory when she and the band leave for a nine-day, four-concert tour of China. They will perform at the Yuling International Music Festival in Shanxi Province with artists from many other nations, and Rush Up Productions will film a documentary about the tour. If the shows go well, there's a good chance they could perform in China again during the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Harris-Wilson grew up on Egypt Plantation in Holmes County and later moved to Greenwood. These days, when she is off the road, she lives on Valley Drive across the street from her mother, Rosie Wilson.
Harris-Wilson was scheduled to speak to some Elzy students today and urge them to take advantage of what school offers. She also planned to stress perseverance.
"I never though I could make it this far," she said. "Even when people said the worst things, I held on."
Rush's manager, Greg Preston, first mentioned the idea of a China tour about two months ago, saying some people there had expressed an interest. Harris-Wilson said Rush initially resisted because he didn't know anything about China and was concerned about all the paperwork requirements. But she insisted she wanted to go, and by the end of that day, Rush gave in.
Harris-Wilson said the publicity from performances in Finland last year has opened many doors for the band internationally. Based on their success there and in other countries, where their shows often are front-page news, she is confident that Rush and the band will be well-received in China.
"He's excited now," she said. "But at first he told me, 'Lo, I'm not doing this.' I said, 'You have to do it. We're gonna do this show.'"
The trips there and back each will be spread over three days. And it won't be all work, either; Harris-Wilson said she will have plenty of time for shopping and sightseeing. "I'm really looking forward to seeing China," she said.
The travel schedule is likely to get even busier.
Later this year, Rush and the band will perform in Japan and also will go back to Finland. Next year, they will tour with Frankie Beverly and Maze, and they might perform in Africa if the upcoming China trip goes well. There has even been talk about touring with the Rolling Stones in 2008.
Just getting to spend time with some of the biggest names in blues music is a thrill for Harris-Wilson.
On Saturday, the band performed at the annual Tri-State Blues Festival in Southaven, where the scheduled lineup included J. Blackfoot, Marvin Sease, Mel Waiters, Shirley Brown, Billy "Soul" Bonds and Sir Charles Jones. In February and March, Rush toured for more than two months with Waiters, Jones, Lattimore, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Theodis Ealey and others.
"It's been amazing, and it has really been successful," Harris-Wilson said.
Rush was named Blues Artist of the Year at the W.C. Handy Awards and also was honored last week at the Jus' Blues Music Awards. Those at the Jus' Blues event included Lattimore, Millie Jackson, Willie Mitchell, who wrote songs for Al Green, and William Bell, who worked with Isaac Hayes.
Harris-Wilson said she planned to spend some time with her family today while also getting her things together.
She has been taking care of her three daughters for years, but only one is left at home now. The oldest, Nanetta Harris, attends the University of Memphis, and Shaquisheia Harris is a freshman at Jackson State University. The youngest, Le-Porchia Wilson, attends Elzy.
Harris-Wilson's husband, Leo Wilson, is an alderman in Tchula and drives a bus for S.V. Marshall High School. His wife said he has done a great job of caring for their two sons, Generio Harris and Kadarious Wilson, both students at S.V. Marshall.
"He keeps them safe. He keeps them in church. He keeps them in school," she said. "He does what mothers do."
She also gets valuable help from friends in the area, including Lou Jordan and people at Ola's, Highland Park Cleaners and Twice Is Nice Beauty Shop. Friends send her e-mails asking how things are going, and she reads and answers them when she can.
She also has worked on her voice in the studio, played the guitar and keyboards a little and even taken up belly dancing. It's all part of pursuing her goal of performing on her own one day.
"Before long, I'll be doing my own thing," she said. However, she added, "whatever I do, I'm going to take my time."
