BILLY
GIBSON~FEATURED HARMONICA PLAYER IN "MAIN STREET
OF THE BLUES" EXHIBIT, HELENA, ARKANSAS
Billy Gibson, a Memphis-based harmonica player and
vocalist, is featured in an interactive learning video
in the Delta Cultural Center’s 2004 Heritage Month
exhibition "Helena, Arkansas: Main Street of the
Blues."
In the video produced by The Communications Group
of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gibson takes the audience
through the basics of the harmonica and concludes with
improvisations demonstrating the instrument's range
and versatility.
"This is something I’ve been wanting to do
for a long time," says Hohner-endorsee Gibson.
"It’s a goal of mine to introduce children to
the thrill of the harmonica and show them how much fun
it is to play." As an added incentive, Hohner
provided the Delta Cultural Center with harmonicas and
songbooks to distribute to visiting school children.
The exhibit, displayed through 2007, examines one
of urban Helena’s most influential contributions -
blues music. In the mid-twentieth century, Helena,
Arkansas was the Destination City for Delta blues
musicians. Helena was a network where musicians met
and exchanged ideas, pioneered in radio broadcasting
via the "King Biscuit Time" program, and
developed a musical style that continues to impact
popular music today.
The story depicts a wide-open river town that was
home to Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, and a
host of other blues Greats. It is a multimedia
experience with video and audio components, as well as
interactive learning devices. Display items include
musical instruments, stage clothing, and items used by
CeDell Davis, George Smith, Frank Frost, Jimmy Rogers,
Earl Hooker, James Cotton, Snooky Pryor, Elmore James,
Sonny Boy Williamson, and many more.
Gibson is having quite a year. His two acts, Delta
Cats, an acoustic duo with David Bowen (guitar and
vocals), and The Billy Gibson Band with David Bowen,
James Jackson (bass) and Cedric Keel (drums), are now
two of the featured artists at Rum Boogie on Beale
Street. The Memphis Flyer listed him as one of
2004’s top 20 musicians following in the footsteps
of North Mississippi Allstars, Gamble Brothers and
Free Sol. Visit www.billygibson.com
to find out more.
For more information on Billy Gibson, contact
Betsie Brown at Crows Feet Productions, 901.278.6850 /
betsie@crowsfeet.biz.
For more information on the Delta Cultural Center,
contact Terry Buckalew, 870-338-4350 / terryb@arkansasheritage.org.
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