For The Observer

After hours of researching Mississippi musicians, the blues came alive for Northwest Mississippi Community College students on Nov. 18 when local Blues musician, Jimbo Mathus performed for Beth Bunce’s English composition II class.

The class was given an assignment to research a Mississippi blues artist. Bunce has been assigning this research paper since 2004 when she first started teaching English at Northwest. Her hopes are that the paper will expand the knowledge of some of the incredible things that Mississippi has contributed to the world, particularly the blues.

Two years ago, Bunce asked Dr. Ken Sipley, director of the Fine Arts division, to join the project and make it a collaborated effort. Students with both teachers would receive grades in both classes for completing the project. This combination seems like an unlikely pair, but the mixture of music and compiling a research paper compliment each other.

Alison Heafner, a student from Batesville, chose to research Charlie Patton after hearing about him from Mathus. Heafner and Mathus met in 2007 and have even performed together on a couple of occasions; she performed “Honky Tonk Woman” by the Rolling Stones on Nov. 18, while Mathus accompanied on the guitar.

Mathus is a Grammy Award-winning singer/song writer who was born in Clarksdale and currently resides in Como, where his recording studio, Delta Recording Service, is located. At age 6 he started playing the mandolin, and at 13 he decided to make music his career. He is a music lover and a blues enthusiast, and especially loves any music that comes from Mississippi.

He describes the influence that the blues has on music all over the world and comments on the fact that most Mississippians don’t even realize it.

“People all over the world look at our area and view it as a magical place,” he said. “Most people don’t even realize we have that in our backyard.”

Mathus played songs by various artists including Charlie Patton and also played some of his own original songs. The atmosphere was very intimate and relaxed, and students were allowed to ask questions in between songs.

One student asked what inspires his songs. Mathus responded by saying, “Inspirations come from talking to someone or some situations, or a woman, everything from life.”

He also discussed what life was like for musicians during the early years of the blues. “Blues musicians were outlaws that were often associated with the devil and evil,” Mathus said.  “A lot of times they wouldn't even let you be buried in the cemetery if you messed around with the Blues.”

The students in the class were very impressed with Mathus’ performance and most of them have become real blues admirers.

Bobby Lee, a freshman from Horn Lake, said, “Doing this project and seeing Jimbo play today made me realize that all music basically has the same concept. A lot of songs, no matter what genre, are all about the same stuff. There are songs being made today about the same stuff old blues musicians sang about.”