B.B. King Homecoming Weekend

B.B. King keeps up his strenuous touring schedule and never forgets to come home to Mississippi. (Credit: Special to The Clarion-Ledger)

For blues legend B.B. King, heading home to Mississippi each year isn't just a tour date, it's a chance to spread the gospel of blues to a younger generation.

"It's part of who I am and I want young people there to see how important this music is," King says in response to e-mailed questions. "They live among a heritage, the blues that is world acclaimed—people travel here from all over the world to soak in the experience of blues country—we're blessed to be a part of this wonderful music and its roots."

King's itinerary on this trip includes two big events: the B.B. King Homecoming Festival in Indianola and the Medgar Evers/B.B. King Homecoming in Jackson.

The Indianola homecoming features a lineup chock full of musical talent in addition to a performance by the timeless bluesman himself, including the Stax Music Academy of Memphis, the Mayhem String Band from Oxford, vocalist Vickie Baker of Vicksburg and David "Honeyboy" Edwards of Chicago.

Other attractions include beer, plenty of food and a fireworks display as a nightcap. One might call it an affair fit for a King.

There will also be some special guests to the festival as a Norwegian delegation from the town of Notodden makes a special pilgrimage.

"To see and hear B.B. King playing in his own town, is more than you can expect in your life," says Ragnhild Kraugerud of Notodden's European Blues Center in an e-mail interview. "Music is a conversation without limits, and when you are listening to B.B. King, you feel you are in a dialogue with the roots of all modern music, linked to a great historical scenery."

During their stay, Notodden and Indianola will become sister cities and the Norwegians will present the B.B. King Museum with a gift.

As always, King's focus is on the children. Kids 12 and younger get the VIP treatment, complete with free admission (if accompanied by an adult) and a special area in front of the stage.

Next stop: Jackson. For 46 years, since civil rights activist Medgar Evers was gunned down outside his home, King has performed a concert in his honor.

"The main goal is to show how far we've come socially, politically and economically," says Charles Evers, general manager of sponsor WMPR 90.1 FM and elder brother of the event's namesake. "When Medgar died, there were no black elected officials in Mississippi. Now we have the most of any state."

Although the blues may not have the same ring for younger ears, King's famous largesse still resonates.

"Most of their parents were B.B.'s fans, (but) it's a new day and a new time. Now we're in hip-hop time or rap time. We came up with jazz and blues," says Evers. "They respect him for what he's done and still does."