A Star For A King

BB King

Hollywood isn't the only community with a sidewalk dedicated to honoring stars. Meridian, Mississippi has it's own state version of the walk of fame. It's just beginning, but as MPB's Ron Brown reports, there are dozens and dozens of Mississippi stars slated to get a sidewalk star. BB King is leading the way.

The cheers and the applause and the standing ovations have become commonplace for Indianola's BB King. He has now been playing the blues professionally for over 60 years. The lastest fans to show their affection for the king of the blues did it Thursday night in Meridian at the Riley Center.

It was a special occassion for several reasons: It was opening night for the new Riley Center concert season; and because at 83 years old, BB King has been around the block a few times, but now he's being placed at the beginning of it - a walk of fame outside the Riley Center that one day may rival the Hollywood sidewalk of stars.

"It's a special moment for Meridian. It's a special moment for BB." Fred Cannon, a member of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Board concieved of the idea. "He's finally been recognized by the Mississippi Walk of Fame which is something the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment center has worked hard to produce and get going."

It took six years of planning but Thursday afternoon at the corner of 22nd Avenue and 5th Street in Downtown Meridian, it was the moment BB King fans like Bertia Reed had been waiting for: the unveiling of the BB King walk of fame star.

"I'm just here to be a part of history being made with the unveiling of the plaque to him."

About a hundred people turned out to watch and to applaud the unveiling along with Bertia, many long time fans like she is.

"Oh I just love him 'cause I'm from back in the old days when he was just getting started."

Jesse Palmer is another fan who has been following King's career for years. "Well I remember seeing him between 1950 and 51, he came to Holly Springs to play a little dance with no one except his drum and his guitar... you can relate to his music, you know. that soul music and blues and etc., that's what I was raised up under."

King's star on the walk of fame is just the second, so far. Meridian native and father of country music Jimmie Rodgers was the first. Organizers like board vice president Paul Ott plan to honor dozens and dozens of superstar entertainers who called Mississippi home.

"We got in mind Morgan Freeman. We have Jimmy Buffett in mind. We have Sela Ward. We have Faith Hill. We have believe it or not Britney Spears. Most people think she's from Louisiana, she's from Mississippi. And of course the folks who have passed on, Elvis Presley and Conway Twittey, the list just goes on forever, really."

It's a long list but it begins with the cornerstones of American popular music, country music, and the blues. Eventually the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment board plans a permanent Mississippi Hall of Fame in Meridian right next to the Riley Center. The plan is to have it ready in about two years. One of the first to be enshrined, will be BB King.

A funny thing happened to BB King on his way to a life of singing the blues...he became one of the most beloved entertainers in the world by fans LeRoy Johnson.

"He's that spirit that never dies. and it's the name that carries him on along with the music. He's just someone that you gotta honor, admire and respect. We've always been music fans and we've always loved blues. And if you love the blues you love BB."

BB King at 83 years old may still be singing the blues, but he is content to let the good times roll.And so are his many fans. For MPB News, I'm Ron Brown.