Putting blues on the map in Navasota
As musicians and fans roll in for the annual Navasota Blues Festival this Friday and Saturday, I wondered: How did this town get its title as the “Blues Capital of Texas?”
Mance Lipscomb died in 1976 in his hometown of Navasota, Texas.
A key figure in the area’s music heritage is songster and blues musician Mance Lipscomb, who was born in Navasota in 1895 and spent much of his life as a tenant farmer before releasing his first album 1960. (The term “songster” refers to traveling musicians who played in a wide variety of styles that influenced and blended with blues music as it’s known today.) After being signed by a major label at age 65, Lipscomb became a regular at music festivals and blues clubs around the country before returning home to Navasota in his final years. Today, the city celebrates his musical legacy with a two-day festival featuring celebrated local and regional blues performers.
This year’s Navasota Blues Fest is Aug. 10-11 at the Grimes County Expo Center (yes, it’s inside with air conditioning – an important detail during a Texas summer!) For details, check out our event listing here.
Other events happening around the state include:
Alpine: Big Bend Ranch Rodeo, Aug. 10-11
Chappell Hill: Lavender and Wine Fest, Aug. 11
De Leon: Peach and Melon Festival, Aug. 7-11