MPB celebrates the Natchez tricentennial this October with NEW episodes of Mississippi Roads and Conversations. 

Mississippi Roads Natchez 300th Anniversary Special

October 6 at 7PM

Walt visits Natchez to celebrate the city’s 300th birthday. Join him as he takes us to Emerald Mound, one of the nation’s largest Indian mounds, then visits with famed Natchez author Greg Iles to learn about the city’s colorful history. Walt also explores how the Mississippi River made Natchez one of the richest cities in America, but also made it the location of an infamous slave market, the Forks of the Road. Movie producer and Natchez native Jennifer Ogden Combs tells how the 300th birthday has brought all segments of the Natchez community together, reflecting on their city’s legacy in new ways.

Conversations:

Enjoy special episodes of Conversations featuring notable individuals from Natchez. 

JENNIFER OGDEN COMBS – OCTOBER 2 at 5:30PM

An Emmy-award winning film & TV producer, Jennifer Ogden Combs works with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Her latest project brought her back to her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi to head up the city’s year-long celebration of the Tricentennial.

CHARLES WRIGHT – OCTOBER 9 at 5:30PM

Charles Wright of Natchez is one of the few surviving relatives of the legendary writer Richard Wright.  It’s a heritage Charles takes seriously as he fulfills his role as the Wright family historian and tour guide of the various sites associated with his famous cousin.

REGINA CHARBONEAU – OCTOBER 16 at 5:30PM

Regina Charboneau is owner of the Twin Oaks Bed and Breakfast in her hometown of Natchez, but that barely skims the surface of her high business profile. Charboneau is an author, chef and restauranteur who traces her culinary skills back to Paris. She has rubbed elbows with some of the most famous people in the world.

GLEN BALLARD – OCTOBER 23 at 5:30PM

Natchez native Glenn Ballard lays claim to six Grammy Awards and an Oscar-nominated song.  Ballard creates music for Broadway, television and movies.  Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith and Alanis Morissette are some of the artists he has worked with.  Ballard looks to Quincy Jones as his mentor.

CHESNEY DOYLE – OCTOBER 30 at 5:30PM

Chesney Doyle can tell you a lot about history that extends well beyond her 300-year-old hometown of Natchez.  Doyle travels the globe as the executive producer for the TV series “Great Museums,” airing on public broadcasting stations nationwide.