AVALON — Barring unforeseen weather, the annual Mississippi John Hurt Blues and Gospel Festival is scheduled to begin here Saturday at the Mississippi John Hurt Museum.
Mississippi John Hurt, a legendary bluesman, died in 1966. He is credited with influencing many musical artists, such as Bob Dylan and Jerry Garcia, both of which have done covers of Hurt’s songs.
The blues festival runs from noon until 5 p.m. Saturday, followed by a graveside service at 5: 30 p.m.
All musicians are invited to perform at the festival.
The gospel fest takes place from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Hurt has been recognized for his musical contribution with a Mississippi Blues Trail Marker in Avalon.
Hurt was born in Teoc in 1893 and raised in Avalon.
Hurt, who was a self-taught musician, first recorded for Okeh Records in 1928. He spent most of his life in Avalon working as a farmer until his work was rediscovered during in the 1960s.
