Keep The Blue Front Cafe Afloat

Introduction
My name is Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, owner & operator of the Blue Front Cafe in Bentonia, Mississippi.  Bentonia is a rural Mississippi town near the gateway to the Delta. I have created this GoFundMe campaign to keep the legendary Blue Front Cafe afloat.  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting tourism decline, the Blue Front has lost at least 80% of its normal income this year.
 
History
Let me tell you a little bit about the Blue Front Café.  It is the oldest, still operating and family run juke joint in Mississippi, and it is believed to be the oldest in the world.  This modest cinderblock building is rich with history and continues to be important to our local community and to Blues community throughout the world.
 
In September 2020, The Blue Front turned 72 years old. I was one year old when my mom and dad started running the cafe.  It was the first African American retail establishment in Bentonia and continues to be the oldest.  It was the place where blues legends (before they were legends) would come play for tips – musicians like Henry Stuckey, Jacob Stuckey, Skip James, Jack Owens and Tommy West. 
 
Bentonia is the home of a particular style of blues – the Bentonia blues, known around the world for its unique tuning.  I am the last of the Bentonia bluesmen, and I take the time to teach other interested musicians this style of blues so that this tradition does not die with me.  And this all takes place at the Blue Front Café.
 
During its 72 years, the Blue Front Café has been a place for the local community as well. A place to stop, share a conversation, gather information, buy goods and relax in a safe and friendly space.  Over the years, it has also become that same respite for travelers interested in the blues.  Last year a trucker and his wife parked their rig next to the Blue Front for the weekend while waiting for their Monday morning delivery time.  They immediately felt at home in the Blue Front, hanging out during the day, going on little tours of the blues trail sites with locals, and sharing story and song.  It’s just that kind of place.  And there are hundreds of stories like theirs.


Who will benefit from this campaign?
The Bentonia locals will benefit by having a place to continue to visit for refreshments and share conversation at a safe distance. Tourists and blues fans, traveling the blues trail will still be able to come inside, take pictures and soak in the deep cultural and musical history.   The Blue Front brings in business for Yazoo County as one of its biggest tourist attractions.    In July 2020, six young and talented blues musicians traveled from as far as Wisconsin to meet with me for an old school Bentonia style workshop.  This came together at the last minute and was an opportunity to share the knowledge I hold about my blues tradition to young artists who are excited to incorporate it into their repertoire.  All types of interactions like this take place at the Blue Front because I am typically there and because the doors are open.

How will the funds be used?
To keep the lights on, keep it open, make it feasible for me to be here during the day for those who still are venturing out to take in the history.
 
What the support will mean to me
It will mean that the Blue Front truly means something to those from all areas of the world who constantly tell me what an honor it was to spend a little time here, passing through on their journey, sharing stories and listening to a little blues.  It will mean my parents’ legacy is being honored and that their struggles and mine have not been in vain.
 
I appreciate any donations you are inspired and able to give.  And I hope you will come visit me soon at the Blue Front Café.
 
Feel free to reach out to me with your questions or comments: Jimmy “Duck” Holmes at [phone redacted] or [phone redacted]