Mississippi John Hurt (1892-1966) was one of the great early blues players from Mississippi.
He recorded 13 tracks for Okeh Records in 1928 and then faded into obscurity until two music researchers traced him to his home in Avalon, Mississippi in the early 1960s.
His re-discovery led Mississippi John Hurt to a new recording contract with Vanguard Records and a successful new recording and performing career until his death in 1966.
Last year, a friend and I visited Mississippi John Hurt’s grave in Avalon, Mississippi.
The Mississippi Blues Trail has placed a marker in Avalon, Mississippi commemorating Mississippi John Hurt.
Mississippi John Hurt’s grave can be difficult to find if you are unfamiliar with the area. It’s in an abandoned and overgrown cemetery, obscured by trees, off the side of a dirt road.
Mississippi John Hurt’s grave is at the back of the cemetery.
Here are some close ups of the gravestone.
Fans visiting the graves of Mississippi blues musicians often leave tributes of flowers, liquor, musical instruments and other tokens on the grave. Mississippi John Hurt’s grave is no exception.
We will post more information about Mississippi John Hurt and other great Mississippi blues musicians in due time.