1. In October the West Memphis Blues and Rhythm Society will help unveil the
first marker on the Arkansas Delta Music Heritage Trail to commemorate the
original site of the Plantation Inn.
The unveiling is set for 2 p.m. on Oct. 26 in front of Pancho’s Restaurant on
Broadway in West Memphis. The event is part of the Blues and Rhythm Society’s
second annual salute to the Plantation Inn.
The music heritage trail will highlight those places in the Arkansas Delta
where local artists created innovative and influential music. The signs will
incorporate local photos and site information in a dynamic graphic symbolic of the
Mississippi River itself.
“These markers will signify the importance of these music sites,” said Beth
Wiedower, field representative for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s
Rural Heritage Development Initiative in Helena, Ark., “and it’s quite fortuitous the
first sign will be in downtown West Memphis, which has such a strong blues
tradition.”
According to Wiedower, the concept of the music byways was the brainchild
of planners for Arkansas Delta Byways and RHDI, which began research over a year
ago on producing interpretive venues for tourists and residents to learn more about
the musical heritage of the Delta. The RHDI provided the initial funding to design
the signage template, which local groups or individuals can obtain for their historic
sites. Those groups will in turn supply the distinctive photos and commentary for
their own signs.

2. Unlike the metal signs used as traditional historic markers, the music trail
sign is a high-grade laminate, one of the latest materials being used in outdoor
signage. Said Wiedower, the low maintenance sign will stand up to the scorching sun
of Delta summers. Plus, the use of photos along with the sign’s unique design – a
snaking shape reminiscent of the river – will make the marker stand out to travelers.
The Plantation Inn marker will incorporate photos of the locale’s most
renowned musical innovators and performers, including Morris Berger and family,
Isaac Hayes, the Floyd Newman Orchestra, Willie Mitchell and Calvin Newborn.
“It’s quite a testament to West Memphis that the members of Main Street
West Memphis approached me, saying ‘We want to be the first.’ And they are
making it happen,” said Wiedower. “We hope more signs will follow in West
Memphis, because there are so many sites of musical importance.”
“We are so excited to be receiving this heritage trail marker for the Plantation
Inn site,” said Main Street West Memphis Executive Director Leigh Ann Hastings,
“and we already have plans for markers at two other sites within our Main Street
area.”
Marketing chair for the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce, Diane Ayres
said that historically speaking, West Memphis is a new community, and around the
region and the state, people do not know or appreciate the history of the city,
especially the blues history.
“But talk about a blues tour through the cotton fields,” said Ayres, indicating
West Memphis’ significant historic sites, such as the Ice House, K-WAM radio
station and the Eighth Street clubs along with the Plantation Inn.

3. The Crittenden County Board of Realtors is also lending their sponsorship for
the local marker in an effort to foster tourism.
“We have a rich heritage,” said Board of Realtors President Jack Goff, “and
we need to identify historic spots. The quickest way to grow the economy of a given
area is tourism, and we need to help grow the economy of Crittenden County.”
Dr. Ruth Hawkins, Delta Byways Executive Director, said so much of the
Delta’s music heritage has been lost because many buildings, juke joints, clubs, etc.,
no longer exist.
“It’s critically important to remember these places with a trail marker,”
Hawkins said. “With the first marker at the Plantation Inn, this will help present and
future generations to know what it was like in the heyday, where there was really
more ‘jumping’ than in Memphis. People just don’t realize it.”
The Plantation Inn Gala is being hosted at the Southland Park Gaming and
Racing Event Center on Oct. 25. The evening will feature a plated dinner from 6 to
7:30 p.m. and entertainment by the PI Tribute Band led by the Memphis Horns’
Wayne Jackson from 8:00 till midnight.
Prior to these festivities, the Society will host a cocktail reception from 4:30
to 5:30 for its first Morris Awards, named for the PI founder. This year’s recipients
are former club musicians Calvin Newborn, Willie Mitchell, Floyd Newman, the late
Isaac Hayes and the late Charles Turner.
The City of West Memphis A&P Commission is underwriter for the gala, and
First Community Bank of Eastern Arkansas is signature sponsor. Southland Park is
reception and dinner sponsor. Mike Ford is event chairman.

4. Tickets to the gala are $50 per person.
For more information, call the Crittenden Arts Council office at 870-732-
6260.