B.B. King's 1997 Indianola Homecoming

The following reviews, photos and links were sent to us by Tom Davis, Scott Jeffcote and Bill Horton. All three had attended this year's annual homecoming benefit concert in B.B. King's hometown of Indianola, Mississippi. Click on the small GIF images to view the full size JPG images.

The first 5 photos were on stage at the Homecoming. It was a really great show. B.B. played the entire show standing up, even though they provided a chair. He was having a real good time and everyone listening was too! I stood next to a couple from Holland who had traveled to the US to see several shows. They were really great to meet.

Toward the end of the show, B.B. asked local children to come on stage and dance. He took out his wallet and paid cash to the winners of the contest. The kids had a BLAST! (Their parents did too as many asked me for photos). At the end of the show he had all of his grandchildren in attendance come up on stage. There were about 8, I would guess there. It was a real good time and very laid back. Everyone had fun.

After this we went to Club Ebony. This was my first trip to the club. Everyone was really nice and warm at the club. We sat and visited and listened to Willie Foster play and around midnight BB came out. Again he played and played. More than an hour and never sat down. When he finished with "The Thrill Is Gone" he played the ENTIRE song before exiting the stage. It was nice to hear it played all the way through since he usually leaves about 3/4 of the way though and waves to the crowd.

B.B. looked great and seemed to be in good health. I only got to say hello between shows really fast as there was a mob of folks there. One last thought about the Homecoming. A photographer from National Geographic was there and taking shots for an issue on Blues in America.

Club Ebony

B.B.
King's
tour bus

Scott and B.B.

Ever since I first heard of this event four years ago, I haven't missed it yet. It is truly the best place to see the King perform. You also get to mingle with the band and the man himself. He plays a show at the local fairgrounds first and then afterwards goes to the club where he got his start - Club Ebony. It is definitely a highlight of my year.

I wish all of you could have been there. B.B. and the band were sounding great - as usual. I was somewhat disappointed in the opening acts at the fairgrounds. I think it would be a much better show if the chamber of commerce would focus on getting better opening acts. The only one worth watching was 24-7 out of Jackson, they got the crowd jumping with their rhythm and blues. B.B. and the group put on a good show. The highlight was when he brought kids out of the audience for a dancing contest. He gave all of them a cash reward.

After the park, B.B. and the group went over to Club Ebony. I did not get to see B.B. earlier in the day when he was signing autographs, but I got to speak to him for a few minutes at the Club. He seemed to be in good spirits and was glad to be home. I was suprized when he played at the club, in years past he has only played about 30 minutes, but he and the band played for over an hour and they didn't get on stage until after midnight. It is definitely a pleasure to hear B.B. play anytime.

Have you seen the "King of the Blues" at his annual Homecoming Concert in his Hometown of Indianola, MS? For over 10 years, B.B. King returns annually to Indianola for a Benefit Concert for the "Seeds of Indianola - the Children." This year promises to be another special evening - without a doubt the true "King of the Blues". Friday May 30, 1997 outdoors in the heart of Indianola, MS.