In Clarksdale, in the Mississippi Delta, the Ground Zero Blues Club ranks among the venues that put the town back on the musical map in the early 2000s. Co-founded by Morgan Freeman, housed in a former cotton warehouse and programming blues four nights a week, the club blends local talent, Southern cuisine, and upstairs lodging. Here's what you need to know before spending an evening here.

Why go there

Clarksdale is considered the "ground zero" of blues, the birthplace of a musical genre born in the Delta plantations. Ground Zero Blues Club takes its name from this notion. Since opening in May 2001, it has established itself as one of the places where you can hear, several nights a week, musicians carrying on the legacy of Charley Patton, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker.

The club serves a dual purpose: providing a regular stage for Delta musicians and attracting an international audience curious about this musical history. The result is a lineup that alternates between lesser-known local talents and headline acts passing through.

History and founding

Ground Zero opened its doors in May 2001 in a former warehouse of the Delta Grocery and Cotton Co., a building dating from 1905. The industrial shell has been preserved almost intact: mismatched chairs, string lights, walls covered with graffiti left by visitors over the years. The décor wasn't recreated—it has accumulated organically.

Three co-founders are behind the project: Morgan Freeman, a Mississippi native, Memphis producer Howard Stovall, and lawyer and former Clarksdale mayor Bill Luckett (since deceased). Their idea: create a permanent club where Delta blues could be played year-round, not just during festivals. The model's success led to the opening of a second venue, Ground Zero Blues Club & Restaurant Biloxi, on the Gulf Coast.

The club sits next door to the Delta Blues Museum, making them a natural pairing for a visit focused on the genre's history.

On stage and at the table

The lineup

The stage has hosted a wide variety of artists, from the local circuit to international names: Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Super Chikan, Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush, but also Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, and Paul Simon. Morgan Freeman himself occasionally stops by, sometimes taking the stage.

Every Thursday night, an open jam session is hosted: musicians present in the room can sign up on the spot to play with the house band. The detailed schedule is available on the official website ("Events" section), www.groundzerobluesclub.com.

The menu

The cuisine features Southern classics in generous portions:

• Wings & Fries: chicken wings and fries.
• Fried green tomatoes served with homemade Gitback sauce.
• Big T Nachos: chips, pulled pork, cheese, and barbecue sauce.
• Sandwiches: Real Deal smoked pork, Jukin' Blues Burger with fried onions and jalapeños.
• Main courses: Smokin' Joe barbecue plate, Kingfish Platter (fried catfish), Super Chikan chicken tenders.
• Sides: fried okra, black-eyed peas, beans, collard greens.
• Dessert: fried pecan pie.

Sleep above the club

The building's upper floor houses apartments operated by Delta Cotton Company Apartments, with views of Blues Alley. The lofts are spacious, with an eclectic style, and you'll hear the club's music on concert evenings—a deliberate choice, better suited for blues enthusiasts than families with young children. Access is via a secure coded stairway.

Practical information

The club is located on Blues Alley, in downtown Clarksdale, immediately next to the Delta Blues Museum. From the town center, it's easily accessible on foot. Parking is available on-site or in the immediate vicinity for those arriving by car.

As for programming, Ground Zero typically opens Wednesday through Saturday nights, with concerts starting in the early evening and going late into the night on weekends. Admission is charged (moderate price, slightly higher on Friday and Saturday), usually paid at the door. For special events, advance ticket sales may be available.

For groups of ten or more, advance reservation with the club is required. For smaller groups, simply showing up works, though the room fills quickly on headline nights. Be sure to check current hours, prices, and the schedule on the official website before heading over.

When to visit

The club operates year-round, but Clarksdale has two prime seasons for blues: the Juke Joint Festival in April and the Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival in August. These periods draw musicians and crowds in numbers, and Ground Zero programs enhanced lineups. Conversely, a weekday visit outside festival season allows you to experience local blues in a more intimate setting. Summer in the Delta is hot and humid; spring and fall are more pleasant for combining concerts and exploring the town.

What to see nearby

• Clarksdale: the town itself, with its legendary intersection of Routes 49 and 61, juke joints, and murals.
• Delta Blues Museum: directly next door to the club, it traces the history of Delta blues through instruments, photographs, and archives.
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, to further explore Southern music.
• Broadway (Nashville): another premier live music venue, leaning more toward country.

Frequently asked questions

Extend your journey

Ground Zero Blues Club naturally fits into a musical itinerary through the American South, between Memphis, the Mississippi Delta, and Nashville. To plan a custom trip, explore our ideas for travel to the États-Unis.