Nationally Acclaimed Bentonia Blues Artist Headlines July 23 Concert at the University of North Alabama

FLORENCE  — The Salt & Pepper Roots Music Celebration, an ongoing initiative dedicated to documenting, preserving, and presenting the musical traditions of the American South, continues its 2026 season on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in The Mane Room at the University of North Alabama.

The evening will feature internationally acclaimed Mississippi bluesman Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, widely recognized as the foremost living practitioner of the historic Bentonia Blues tradition. Holmes is owner of the legendary Blue Front Café in Bentonia, Mississippi—the oldest continuously operating juke joint in the state—and has devoted his life to preserving one of America’s most distinctive blues styles. A Grammy Award nominee and internationally touring recording artist, Holmes continues to represent an unbroken musical lineage that traces directly to Henry Stuckey, Skip James, and Jack Owens.

Opening the evening is Maxwell Russell, one of North Alabama’s emerging blues artists whose performances reflect the enduring influence of the Muscle Shoals musical tradition while bringing a fresh voice to contemporary roots music.

Produced by Russell Gulley, the Salt & Pepper Roots Music Celebration is more than a concert series. It is a cultural documentation project that brings nationally recognized artists together with regional musicians to preserve and celebrate the music, stories, and traditions that have shaped Alabama and the American South. Each performance contributes to an expanding archive highlighting the cultural significance of roots music and its continuing impact on American culture.

The July 23 program continues the series’ commitment to presenting authentic artists whose work reflects the living traditions of blues, folk, gospel, and Southern roots music. Through live performance, documentation, and educational outreach, the Celebration seeks to strengthen public appreciation for these important cultural resources.

“This series is about honoring the artists who have carried these traditions forward while ensuring that future generations understand their importance,” said producer Russell Gulley. “These musicians are living cultural treasures whose stories deserve to be preserved alongside their music.”

The Salt & Pepper Roots Music Celebration is produced with the goal of creating a permanent record of Alabama’s musical heritage while providing audiences with opportunities to experience authentic roots music in an intimate listening environment.

Salt & Pepper Roots Music Celebration

Featuring: Jimmy “Duck” Holmes

Special Guest: Maxwell Russell

Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Venue: The Mane Room, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama

Admission :$20.00 at the door

$10.00 in Advance at Counts Brothers Music in Muscle Shoals or on-line at Eventbrite.com