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A New Chapter on the Mississippi Blues Trail in Clinton
The City of Clinton proudly unveiled its second Mississippi Blues Trail marker on March 5, 2026, honoring the historic Grits & Gravy Recording Studio and the powerful musical legacy that once lived in the community.
Hosted in partnership with Visit Mississippi, the Mississippi Blues Commission, and Mississippi College, the ceremony celebrated the artists, producers, and visionaries who helped shape a piece of Mississippi’s musical history from inside the former Hilltop Theatre.
Founded by Bob McRee and brothers Cliff and Ed Thomas in the mid-1960s, Grits & Gravy Recording Studio became a hub for recording talent that would go on to influence blues, soul, and American music. Artists such as Dorothy Moore, Junior Parker, Barbara Lynn, Freddy Fender, and the GRAMMY-nominated duo Peggy Scott & Jo Jo Benson recorded within its walls, leaving an enduring mark on the sound of the era.
After the recording studio era ended, Mississippi College continued the building’s musical tradition by using the space as the Choctaw Band Hall, keeping the sound of music alive in the building for years before it was ultimately demolished in 2013.
Speakers during the ceremony included Mayor Will Purdie, Mississippi College President Dr. Blake Thompson, Mississippi Blues Commission Chairman Craig Ray, and Visit Mississippi Chief Sales Officer Kammie Carpenter. The marker was officially unveiled by Maggie Lowery, Cultural Programs Manager for Visit Mississippi.
While the studio itself no longer stands, its story does. With the installation of this marker, Clinton joins more than 200 locations across the state recognized on the Mississippi Blues Trail, a statewide initiative honoring the people, places, and moments that helped shape Mississippi’s reputation as the Birthplace of America’s Music.
Markers like this do more than commemorate the past. They invite visitors from around the world to discover the stories that live here, strengthening tourism, celebrating culture, and ensuring that Mississippi’s musical legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Today’s unveiling marks another proud step in sharing Clinton’s rich musical history with the world.
