Blues Musicians’ Graves

As part of our series on Blues Musicians’ Graves, here is a page on the grave of R.L. Burnside (23 November 1926-1 September 2005)

R.L. (Rural) Burnside is buried in the cemetery behind Free Springs C.M.E. Church in Harmontown, Lafeyette County, Mississippi.

To get to the Free Springs C.M.E. Church, turn south from Highway 310 onto County Road 511. The GPS location of the turn off is N 34º 32.213’ W 89º 39.018’.

Here is a map showing the location of Free Springs C.M.E. (United Methodist) Church, Harmonton, Lafeyette County, Mississippi:

Free Springs C.M.E. Church as it appears from the road. R.L. Burnside's grave is in the cemetery behind the church.
Free Springs C.M.E. Church as it appears from the road. R.L. Burnside’s grave is in the cemetery behind the church.

Drive south until you come to the Free Springs C.M.E. Church, which is on the west side of the road.

The GPS location of the Free Springs C.M.E. Church is N 34º 31.136’ W 89º 39.131’.

You’ll see the Free Springs C.M.E. Church sign (shown below) alongside the church.

The Free Springs C.M.E. Church cemetery is located in a clearing behind the church building. In the photo below, the cemetery is visible behind the sign.

 

 

Free Springs C.M.E. Church sign as it appears from the road. R.L. Burnside's grave is in the cemetery visible behind the sign.
Free Springs C.M.E. Church sign as it appears from the road. R.L. Burnside’s grave is in the cemetery visible behind the sign.

The GPS location of R.L. Burnside’s grave is N 34º 31.099’ W 89º 39.143’.

R.L. Burnside grave, Free Springs C.M.E. Church cemetery.
R.L. Burnside grave, Free Springs C.M.E. Church cemetery.

Here are some videos of R.L. Burnside shot by Alan Lomax in 1978.

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