What Happened to the Blues?
Ashton Frankel
The culture of blues in Clarksdale, Mississippi—a historic hub for Delta Blues—is on the brink of disappearing, maintained by just a few people. The town, once alive with juke joints and musicians like Muddy Waters, now sees live blues mostly limited to tourist festivals rather than a part of daily life. Economic factors are crucial: Clarksdale’s population has decreased due to industrial decline and outmigration, which has led to a reduction in both performers and audiences. As younger generations are drawn to more profitable, contemporary styles such as hip-hop, local venues find it difficult to endure, leaving the blues genre economically unfeasible for many. In a time dominated by globalized tastes and digital music, the art form’s dependence on live performance and oral tradition—rather than widespread commercial adaptation—exacerbates its decline. Those who are working to keep it going—older musicians, a handful of devoted club proprietors, and organizations such as the Delta Blues Museum—are facing a difficult struggle against these tendencies. The raw, improvisational nature of the blues—historically its strength—clashes with the polish of mainstream markets, making it a dying art in its birthplace. This erosion illustrates the larger difficulties of maintaining regional traditions in the face of economic and cultural changes.
Ashton Frankel is a photographer from St Simon’s Island, Georgia and an undergraduate at the University of Mississippi majoring in Southern Studies with a General Business minor. He is passionate about music, both the history and the art itself, thus photographing historical sites as well as dynamic musical scenes. Away from the camera, he works in music management, working in Nashville helping young and aspiring artists achieve their goals to make it in the music industry. This inside perspective allows him to appreciate the artistic aspect of photography as well as have a good eye to cover musical moments with his camera. Outside of photography and music, Ashton loves to spend his time on the golf course or Ole Miss athletic events.
