Memphis, Tenn., may bill itself as the “Home of the Blues,” but Vicksburg is quickly becoming known in blues circles as a home of top performers.

In the past three years, musicians and bands representing the Vicksburg Blues Society have taken first place in the International Blues Competition in Memphis.

Mr. Sipp won the crown in 2014, and Eddie Cotton in 2015, and Blues Society-sponsored performers have been finalists in the 2013 and 2016 competitions.

As Brinda Willis, manager for Keith Johnson, this year’s entry sponsored by the Blues Society, “Mississippi has set a winning tradition,” and Vicksburg has played a major part in that tradition. The blues are an important part of Vicksburg’s history, and many performers began their careers in the area performing in local nightclubs over the years. Our city is known as the birthplace of Willie Dixon, who was a pioneer of not only blues music, but all other musical genres that followed.

While we think about the Vicksburg National Military Park as the area’s top tourist attraction, many tourists come to the city to learn about our blues heritage and to listen to the music. And Vicksburg has its place in the history of the Delta Blues.

And the Vicksburg Blues Society has done much to enhance the city’s blues tradition, holding concerts honoring Willie Dixon and programs like the local competition to name a representative to the International Blue Competition.

Sharing that heritage and preserving it is what the Blues Society is about, and Shirley Waring, who founded the Blues Society, has been a driving force to reinvigorate the interest in the blues locally and give visitors and residents the opportunity and experience of hearing live blues.

The efforts of Waring and others who have worked to develop Vicksburg into an important stop on the Blues Trail are paying off.

We commend the Blues Society for its efforts, and wish our entry in the IBC good luck and look forward to having another winner.