The Blues Live On

by Kathy K McClellan

Title

The Blues Live On

Artist

Kathy K McClellan

Medium

Photograph - Photographs

Description

This sculpture sat on the lawn of the Historic 100 Men Hall in Bay Saint Louis, MS when we lived there. Recent photographs of the Hall show open lawn where this sculpture once rose out of the grass.

In 1894, twelve African American residents from the Bay Saint Louis area started The One Hundred Men Debating Benevolent Association by drawing up a set of bylaws. Originally started as an organization to help community members, the bylaws allowed entertainment to help grow the treasury.

The original screened pavilion built in 1922 was later enclosed. Events included plays, pageants and wedding receptions helped establish the "pavilion" as the center of the community.

During the 40's, 50's and 60's, many of the region's greatest blues, rhythm and blues and soul music artists performed at The One Hundred Men Hall as they traveled what was referred to as the "chitlin circuit" . Many of the greatest stars during the heyday of New Orlean's rhythm and blues music performed regularly at the hall. From Big Joe Turner, Etta James and Guitar Slim to James Booker, Professor Longhair and Deacon John, the list was a variable who's who of musical stars at the time. Many longtime coast performers such as Harry Fairconnetue, George Woods and The Sounds of Soul, Carl Gates and The Decks, The Claudettes and Guitar Bo and Miss Dee all regularly performed at this venue.

In the mid 1980's the DAV bought the building and used it as a bingo hall. Ownership changed again in 2004.

In 2005, the building was rescued from demolition following Hurricane Katrina by Jesse and Kerrie Loya, who lovingly restored the hall to its original state with the help of a generous grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Uploaded

April 25th, 2015

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