I've got new music on the way, so expect a new series soon. Thanks for all of your words of encouragement. Keep 'em coming! Ross

Some of you might have wondered why there have been no new podcasts lately. In the two years that I have been doing this podcast, I have taken breaks on a regular basis. This is the longest time off that I have taken however and I thought that I would take a moment and try to explain why. My life is in transition right now. This year has been one of great change for me. I have decided to pursue a long time dream of mine to become a writer. This Spring, I will return to college full time for the first time in 20 years. It is my desire to enter the graduate program at the University of Southern Mississippi with the eventual goal of obtaining a PHD in fiction writing. I would like to teach at the college level and write the great American novel. I don't know if I will continue the podcast. I am going to take some more time and think it over. The past episodes will still be available for the foreseeable future. Thank you for your support. I will keep you posted. Have a blessed and safe holiday season. Merry Christmas! Ross Walton

There are three ways to listen to our podcast. You can use the streaming player at the top left of this page. Simply press the play button and away you go. If you wish to skip to the next episode, press the forward button.

The second way to listen is by direct download. To download a show, point to the name of the file and right click. Then select save target as and press save. The file should then start downloading.

The third way to listen is to subscribe. To subscribe, you will need iTunes software or a similar program. Simply enter location of our rss file: http://smms.libsyn.com/rss . That's it! Happy listening. rw

Today we have the great Bobby Rush, recorded live in Ocean Springs, MS on July 8th, 2007. In this beautiful recording by taper jedi Kevin Byram, we hear the essence of the blues: one man, one electric guitar (ok, so not really unplugged), one harmonica and a whole lot of music. This legendary story teller and song writer has been an important part of the blues scene since 1951. SMMS is proud to bring you 42 minutes of Bobby Rush on this, our second anniversary. Be sure to check out Bobby's website: bobbyrush.net . With thanks to Bobby, Greg Preston and Kevin Byram...enjoy, my little taters, enjoy! rw

This week we're getting ready for the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic in Potts Camp, MS happening June 29th and 30th. We've got cuts from Burnside Exploration, T-Model Ford, Jimbo Mathus, Kenny Brown, North Mississippi All Stars and Taylor Grocery Band. Go to kennybrown.net in the linkage section for the complete lineup and directions. Good food, good music, good times! rw

Today we have Tommie T-Bone Pruitt of Ellisville recorded this past February at The Shed BBQ in Ocean Springs.  Thanks to Butch Johnson and congrats to The Shed for winning all those awards at the Memphis In May BBQ competition this month.

It's shaping up to be a big year for Tommie. On March 17th, T-bone and the boys were recorded by a visiting Croatian film crew for inclusion in a documentary for Croatian Public Television about volunteerism in the USA (no, it wasn't Borat ;o)

Also check out Tommie's new page on the Mississippi Arts Council web site by clicking on "T-bones MAC Page" in the Linkage section on the left. Thanks to Scott Barretta for his effort in coming to Laurel to interview Tommie and setting the whole thing up. Scott is the host of HWY 61 a weekly blues show on Mississippi Public Radio as well as contributing editor for Living Blues magazine.  (photo courtsey of Scott Barretta for the MAC) rw

Today we've got Eden Brent recorded live at The Shedhead 3 Blues Festival on November 12th, 2006 in Ocean Springs, MS at the Shed BBQ.  Part of our continuing Shed series, this recording comes courtesy of Butch Johnson.

Eden Brent is a blues and jazz pianist and vocalist from Greenville, MS.  Known as Little Boogaloo, she is the 2006 International Blues Challenge Solo Artist of the Year.  Her debut CD, Something Cool is available from edenbrent.com. Follow the link in the linkage section while you check out this future blues legend! rw

Today, we continue our Shed series with Part One of Big Al and the Heavyweights recorded live at the Shed BBQ in Ocean Springs, MS.  Big Al and the Heavyweights are from New Orleans and their blend of Blues and Zydeco is sure to please. Be sure to check out their website at www.bigal.net and you can pick up their CD at www.mardigrasrecords.com (click on the links in the Linkage Section to keep the music from being interupted if you are listening with our pod player) Thanks to Butch Johnson and the entire Shed staff. Later taters! rw

This episode kicks off a new series of shows recorded live at The Shed BBQ in Ocean Springs, MS. These recordings are courtesy of Butch Johnson. Big Sam's Funky Nation hails from New Orleans and their funky brass sound is a holiday treat you don't want to miss. Be sure to check out their website listed in the Linkage section. Happy Holidays!! rw

This Sunday, Nov. 12th, L.C. Ulmer will be performing at the 3rd annual Shedhed Blues Festival at The Shed BBQ in Ocean Springs, MS and to celebrate we have L.C. performing live at Martin's in Jackson recorded on Sept. 15th. He will be joining an all star line up including: Coco Robicheaux, Duwayne Burnside, Big Joe Turner, Henry Gray, Eden Brent and T-bone Pruitt. For Shedhed details go to http://www.theshedbbq.com and join us! Check out L.C.'s page at http://www.myspace.com/lculmer .  Enjoy, my little taters, enjoy. RW