Ryan Whittington
rmwhitti@olemiss.edu
May 28, 2008
OXFORD, MS – The eighth annual L-O-U Summer Sunset Series begins Sunday, June 1, at 7 p.m. when the Grove stage plays host to a free concert by blues musician Reverend John Wilkins.
Wilkins, a native of Memphis, is the pastor of Hunter’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Como, MS, the leader of a motorcycle group, and a performer of “gospel blues,” which, according to Highway 61 host and former Living Blues editor Scott Barretta, is a style of gospel with a blues base. Wilkins’s father, Reverend Robert Wilkins, recorded blues in the 1920s and 30s and later performed gospel on the blues festival circuit in the 1960s and 70s.
“John really walks the line between secular blues and gospel blues,” said Joe York, the producer of the Highway 61 radio show. “He’s an incredible guy, an incredible performer and a great preacher.”
York said Highway 61 will replay a previously taped broadcast on Reverend John Wilkins on Saturday at 10 p.m. The show can be heard on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Visit www.outreach.olemiss.edu/docproj to learn more about Highway 61.
Media Contact: Joe York, jayork@olemiss.edu, 334-803-1185
