Blues Stars Rally For Kimbrough
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A benefit is planned Monday for Kinney Malone Kimbrough after a fire destroyed his home.
WATER VALLEY — Musicians from across North Mississippi and beyond will gather in Water Valley Monday for a benefit concert supporting longtime hill country blues drummer Kinney Malone Kimbrough after a fire destroyed his home in Marshall County.
The benefit will be held Monday, May 18, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Voyager’s Rest, located next to Crawdad Hole on South Main Street.
Benefit organizer Justin Showah said Kimbrough, of Chulahoma, lost nearly all of his possessions in the fire, including medications, clothing and memorabilia connected to his family’s historic juke joint. The home was considered a total loss.
“His drum set survived because it had been stored in a nearby shed,” Showah added.
Showah also said the fire came just days before Kimbrough was scheduled to undergo rotator cuff surgery, which is expected to sideline him from performing for approximately a month.
Kimbrough is widely recognized as one of the torchbearers of the drumming style closely associated with the late Junior Kimbrough and the North Mississippi hill country blues sound. He appeared on three of his father’s albums released through Fat Possum Records during the 1990s and helped manage the Kimbrough Juke Joint before and after his father’s death.
Over the years, Kimbrough has also performed on recordings with artists including Hank Williams Jr., Robert Finley, Eric Deaton, Davis Coen and Afrissippi, among others. He also released a solo album, “Super Funky!,” in 2010 through Hill Country Records.
Organizers said the benefit lineup reflects the deep ties Kimbrough has built throughout the regional music community.
Scheduled performers include:
Kenny Brown of Potts Camp, longtime guitarist for R. L. Burnside and host of the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic.
Garry Burnside of Holly Springs, bassist and son of R.L. Burnside.
Eric Deaton of Oxford, former bassist for Junior Kimbrough’s band who currently tours with The Black Keys.
Lightnin’ Malcolm of Holly Springs, known for his one-man-band performances and collaborations with numerous hill country blues artists.
Kody Shade Harrell of Sardis, who has backed several hill country blues musicians.
Davis Coen of Oxford.
Tate Moore, longtime member of the Kudzu Kings.
Scott Barretta, also known as DJ Swarthy Menace, who will provide vintage soul, blues and gospel music on vinyl.
Bouyel Gaye of Memphis, originally from Mauritania, whose music blends West African Fulani traditions with blues influences.
Guelel Kumba of Oxford, whose band Afrissippi combines hill country blues with traditional West African music.
Food plates will be available for $10 and will be prepared by Guelel Kumba, John Stokes of Tarasque Cucina and Tim Lee.
The event will also feature raffles and a silent auction. Raffle prizes include donated items from local businesses and music supporters, including passes to the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic, gift certificates and music bundles from Cool Dog Sound and Dial Back Sound.
The silent auction will include framed photography prints by Adam Smith and Bill Steber.
