The New Port M.B. Church (and cemetery), between Ebenezer
and Lexington, Mississippi, is the only cemetery (so far) to have
more than one blues musician buried nearby. Those would be Elmore
James and Lonnie Pitchford.
Front of the New Port M.B. Church (the cemetery is
behind it)
The front of Elmore James Tombstone. All black (except
for the relief of Elmore) and starting to sink into the ground.
More info: This monument was dedicated on December
10, 1992. Phil Walden of Capricorn Records led an fundraising
drive to furnish this tombstone for Elmore. It is supposed to
have a bronze relief of Elmore (it too has turned black) created
by Dr. Sam T. Barnes of Cookeville, Tennessee
The back of Elmore's grave. That is a glass slide someone
else left on top Elmore's grave.
Besides Elmore James, New Port also has resting here
Lonnie Pitchford. I tried to spot shadow both graves in this photo.
Elmore is near the right edge, Lonnie is near the left edge of
this photo.
Lonnie Pitchford is one of many blues singer whose
life was cut short before he could reap his rewards. He was only
able to record one album (for Rooster Blues label out of Clarksdale),
but he also appeared in the documentary Deep Blues, a John Melencamp
album, and several other compilation albums.
The back of Lonnie Pitchford's grave with more text.
Links
Dead
Blues Guys - Elmore James
Photos taken in May, 2003
Page created on January 15, 2004/ last updated on July 11,
2006
Questions and comments can be sent to Sandor
Gulyas
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