Along for the ride
Photo Left : The interactive music-centered GRAMMY Museum Mississippi , located in Cleveland , stands as a testament to the state ’ s musical heritage . Photo courtesy of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi Photo Right : “ The Sounds of Southern Rock ” exhibit currently on display at the GRAMMY Museum explores how Southern rock rose to become one of the most popular musical genres of the 1970s . Featuring guitars from Duane Allman and Dickey Betts and an acoustic fiddle from Charlie Daniels , the exhibit ends Aug . 5 . Photo by Dori Lowe
Exploring Cleveland :
where culture and history collide Story by Brandi Perry and Dori Lowe
Located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta and a little more than three hours from Meridian , Cleveland beckons travelers with its rich tapestry of history , music and Southern charm .
This unassuming town , often overlooked by mainstream tourists , is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered . From its deep roots in the blues to its vibrant arts scene , Cleveland offers a unique blend of experiences that captivate the soul .
Music enthusiasts find themselves drawn to Cleveland for its pivotal role in the birth of the blues . The GRAMMY Museum Mississippi stands as a testament to the state ’ s musical heritage , showcasing exhibits that celebrate the legends who called Mississippi home and shaped American music .
Located on the banks of the Sunflower River , this museum not only pays homage to Mississippi ’ s Grammy-winning artists but also offers interactive experiences that highlight the evolution of music genres across decades .
Lee and Pup McCarty , founders of McCartys Pottery , developed their own glazes which included the jade , cobalt blue and signature nutmeg and adorned their pieces with a wavy black line that represents the Mississippi River . Photo by Glenda Sanders
For those tracing the origins of the blues , a journey along Highway 61 and the Mississippi Blues Trail is a must . Known as the Blues Highway , Highway 61 winds through the Delta , connecting iconic sites for blues music , like Dockery Farms .
Here , amidst cotton fields and rural landscapes , legendary blues musicians , such as Robert Johnson and Charlie Patton , found inspiration , laying the groundwork for a genre that would influence music worldwide .
Beyond its musical legacy , Cleveland is a pivotal stop on Mississippi ’ s Civil Rights Trail . The trail currently has nine stops on it . Visitors can walk in the footsteps of activists who fought for equality , visiting sites like the Amzie Moore House , a meeting spot for leaders such as Bob Moses , Stokely Carmichael and Dr . Martin Luther King Jr . Additionally , the trail includes a marker for the Emmett Till murder and a visit to the oldest African American-founded community in the United States .
46 • MERIDIAN LIFE