Son House Tribute Festival
THURSDAY, MAY 29 - SATURDAY MAY 31, 2025
CLARKSDALE, MS
For the uninitiated, Son House was and still is a Delta Blues legend. He was born in the Clarksdale, MS area, and was a mentor to both Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. He was a musical star in the 1920s and 1930s, and was recorded by the archivist Alan Lomax and by Paramount Records in the 1930s. He was also a preacher who was often torn between his roles as a musician and as a man of the church.
For reasons unknown, he disappeared in the early 1940s, only to be rediscovered in Rochester, NY in 1964. He had to learn to play guitar again, and his career was resurrected for 10 years. While in Rochester, he became acquainted with two musical legends in their own right — Joe Beard and John Mooney. They are probably the last two musicians alive who knew Son House.
This festival not only celebrates the legend of Son House, but it will also honor Joe Beard and John Mooney, who will be participating in panel discussions and a performance at the iconic Ground Zero Blues Club. We advise that you check out all these musicians!
Lineup
John Mooney
John Mooney, born in New Jersey and raised in the Rochester, New York area, dropped out of high school to become a Blues musician and guitarist. He traveled across the country playing gigs and eventually played with Joe Beard, who introduced him to Son House in the early ‘70’s. He was largely influenced by Son House, and led a prominent band in Rochester in this period.
In 1976, John moved to New Orleans, where he continued to develop his own unique style that combines Delta Blues with the funky second-line beat of New Orleans. Since the early 1980’s he has toured around the world with his band, the Bluesiana Band, recording several well-received albums and playing at many popular festivals.
At the Son House Tribute Festival, John will reunite with his old friend Joe Beard, where he will participate in panel discussions and perform solo at the Groud Zero Blues Club.
Joe Beard
Mississippi born and bred Joe Beard is a Blues man through and through, with an authentic Blues style to match. He eventually moved to Rochester, New York where he worked by day as an electrician and gigged at night as a musician, eventually leading his own band, Joe Beard and the Blues Union. He has played and recorded with many of the Blues greats and has toured all over the United States and Europe.
He long has been the the leader of the Blues scene in upstate New York. In the early sixties he became friends with Delta Blues legend Son House , who lived nearby to Joe in Rochester. In the ‘70’s, John Mooney joined the scene, first as Joe's bass player and eventually as mentee to Son House himself.
Joe, now 87 and still going strong, will be attending and performing at the Son House Tribute festival, not only as a honored guest who is a direct link to Mr. House, but as a legendary Blues Artist as well. He will be backed by Hanna PK on piano and local band, Big A and the Allstars. John Mooney will also be attending the festival as the other featured guest.
Big A and the Allstars
Bio coming soon
Schedule
Thursday
May 29
Opening Night fundraiser and reception • The Blue Room (216 3rd St. Clarksdale, MS) • 6:00pm
Friday
May 30
Afternoon: Film Screenings & Panel Discussions • The Blue Room • Time TBD
Film Screenings: We will show the documentary Two Trains Runnin’ which depicts the rediscovery of Son House in 1964, as well as the Civil Rights movement at that time. We will also show a recorded performance of Son House live.
Panel Discussions: We will have panel discussions with musicians Joe Beard and John Mooney, and various authors, including Daniel Beaumont, who wrote the definitive Son House biography Preachin’ the Blues. Also on the panels will be Tammy Turner, author of the biography Dick Waterman: A Life in Blues, about the man who helped rediscover and later managed Son House. Finally, we will hear from playwright Keith Glover, who wrote the play REVIVAL, The Resurrection of Son House.
Evening: Jam Session • Location & Time TBD
Saturday
May 31
Son House Tribute Show featuring Joe Beard, John Mooney, Big A and the Allstars
• Ground Zero Blues Club • 7:00pm
