Hambone Art & Music — Local services in Clarksdale

I just returned from my second Mississippi Delta Blues Music bus tour organized by Salem Travel in Salem, IL. We spent the second night of our tour at the Hambone Art Gallery and Bar for another night of music and fun.

Stan Street is the proprietor Hambone. Stan is an artist, a multi-instrument, highly talented musician who regularly performs at venues around the globe. He's a real character and lots of fun to be around.

When we arrived at Hambone Saturday night, Stan met us and said he was short handed that night and we'd have to keep track of our drinks and settle up at the end of the night. The next minute I found myself behind the bar serving drinks to my fellow tour members. The night started out great and was on its way to being crazy great!!

One of the delights of going to Hambone is you never know who's going to show up and play music. Kingfish, a major blues music star and Clarksdale resident, occasionally appears unannounced at Hambone to perform. The night we were there, Stan played tenor sax, Joe played the guitar, and another musician provided rhythm on a washboard. It seemed like an odd combination of instruments, but they played the blues and got the crowd moving.

Stan had the band jumping, the dance floor was hopping, and business was good at the bar. Everybody was having fun and enjoying the music.

Hambone is a loose, casual, comfortable, and easy place to hangout. You're surrounded by wonderful art while the music flows in and around you. Stan Street is a gracious and welcoming host. It almost feels like you're walking into Stan's living room. There are big, soft, comfy couches for you to lounge in. Plenty of nicely spaced tables and chairs to sit at. Of course if you didn't like the way the seating was setup I'm pretty sure you could move it around anyway you liked and Stan wouldn't care.

The stage is a step above the floor and is close enough to create just the right amount of intimate space between the musicians and the audience. During breaks Stan and the band stepped off the stage to mingle and chat with the audience. It was really nice, and by the end of the evening you feel like you have a connection with the place.

It makes you feel like you want to...

Stop here, enjoy a cool drink and the AC - but most importantly say hi to Stan, the wonderful owner of Hambone Art & Music. He will be able to tell you all about Clarksdale, as he is a very active member of the close-knitted community that lives in this town. Besides being a great human, Stan is also a musician and artist. His art pieces come in every size and will be the perfect original souvenir to take back home! Live music...

We love Stan's place, he always has great music and he knows absolutely everyone who is anyone in Clarksdale, Mississippi. We saw Anthony 'Big A' Sherrod play this night - he's tremendous for such a young bluesman. Hambone, like most places in Clarksdale, is eclectic and interesting with a diverse clientele. We had a great time. I'm planning to come back for Juke Joint...