1. Taste the Music of the Great River Road
Great River Road
From northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, the Great River Road follows the
Mississippi River through America’s heartland. As it flows southward, the Mississippi
River brings together the history, culture and musical traditions of this unique region that
gave birth to Blues, Jazz, Rock ’n Roll, Bluegrass and Country music.
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Ordway Center in St. Paul (MN) [1]
The Great River Road journeys through Minnesota’s Twin Cities, which are the regional
epicenter for the performing arts. Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis is home to the
Minnesota Orchestra. The building’s open-glass design and unique blue tubes provide
acoustical perfection. And in nearby St. Paul, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
offers the sweet sounds of Jazz, as well as Broadway musicals and a wide range of local
talent.
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2. Fireworks over the Mississippi at Riverfest (WI) [2]
For a less formal listening environment, take a trip across the Mississippi River and enjoy
one of many summer music festivals in Wisconsin. Each July, catch Riverfest in La
Crosse. For five days around the Fourth of July, its six stages host more than 200 hours of
live entertainment, ranging from Country and Rock, to Jazz and Blues.
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Performer at River Roots Live (IA) [3]
Follow the byway further south to Davenport, Iowa, where you can catch Davenport's
Music Experience, a festival that highlights local talent. Nightly concerts feature true
American music with a flavor that could only be found along the Mississippi River. Go to
three larger festivals held annually in Davenport--the Blues Festival held over Fourth of
July weekend; the Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival held a few weeks later; and the Quad
City Symphony Orchestra's Riverfront Pops series, one held in mid-August and the other
in late November.
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Home of The MUNY (MO) [4]
If you love music in the outdoors, you won’t want to miss the musical productions held
by the Municipal Opera Association ("The MUNY") in St. Louis, Missouri. Since 1919,
the Municipal Opera Association has been putting on remarkable outdoor performances

3. in the nation’s oldest outdoor theatre. Performances have included popular musicals such
as Hairspray, Camelot, and Annie.
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Jack's Mannequin Performing in Little Rock (AR) [5]
Plan a trip along the Great River Road over Memorial Day weekend and stop in Little
Rock for Riverfest, the largest festival of performing and visual arts in Arkansas. Past
performers have included top-name acts such as Smash Mouth, Lifehouse, LL Cool J,
B.B. King, Seether, and Brad Paisley. Be sure to travel across the river to Memphis,
Tennessee and visit Graceland, the former home of Rock ‘n Roll legend Elvis Presley.
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Inside the B.B. King Museum (MS) [6]
Discover the birthplace of the Blues in the State of Mississippi. At the B.B. King
Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola, you’ll learn how the Blues were born
and how the style eventually spread throughout the nation. Just a short drive away, near
the mouth of the Mississippi in Louisiana, you’ll find the culturally and musically fertile
New Orleans. The Jazz clubs of the French Quarter are world-renowned.
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4. 'Fats' Domino in New Orleans (LA) [7]
Take a trip along the Great River Road and discover the fascinating roots of American
music. No matter where the music takes you, your journey will surely be melodious.
Photo Credits
1. © 2006 John Watne. John Watne
2. Public domain. dnudson
3. Public domain. BeautyofDavenport
4. Public domain. Daniel Araya
5. Public domain. Courtesy of xy0x at flickr.com
6. © 2007 Social Stratification in the Deep South/ Wake Forest University. Courtesy
of Social Stratification in the Deep South/ Wake Forest University
7. Public domain. Courtesy of wallyg at Flickr.com