Legendary Grits & Gravy Recording Studio Receives Mississippi Blues Trail Marker
CLINTON, Miss. – Visit Mississippi, together with the Mississippi Blues Commission, the City of Clinton, and Mississippi College, hosted a Mississippi Blues Trail marker unveiling ceremony on March 5, 2026, celebrating the legacy of the former Grits & Gravy Recording Studio at the site of the iconic recording facility.
The event opened with a welcome from The Honorable William C. Purdie, Mayor of Clinton, and Dr. Blake Thompson, President of Mississippi College, followed by an invocation from Justice Court Judge Kenny Lewis, pastor of Redirection Church Ministries.
Founded by Bob McRee, Cliff Thomas, and Ed Thomas, Grits & Gravy operated inside the former Hilltop Theatre—later Mississippi College’s Choctaw Band Hall before its demolition in 2013. The studio attracted notable talent including Dorothy Moore, Junior Parker, Barbara Lynn, Freddy Fender, and the GRAMMY-nominated duo Peggy Scott & Jo Jo Benson.
Its rise began in the mid1960s after McRee and the Thomas brothers established the Mississippi Artist Corporation (MAC). By the early 1970s, the founders moved into new chapters: Cliff and Ed Thomas launched the soul radio station WKXI, while McRee continued studio construction and later collaborated with Mississippi ETV.
During the ceremony, Craig Ray, Chairman of the Mississippi Blues Commission, shared remarks honoring the studio’s influence on American music and its legacy within the Blues Trail. He was followed by Kammie Carpenter, Visit Mississippi’s Chief Sales Officer, who highlighted the studio’s enduring cultural significance and the importance of preserving Mississippi’s musical heritage.
The program concluded with the official unveiling of the marker by Maggie Lowery, Cultural Programs Manager for Visit Mississippi.
The newly installed Mississippi Blues Trail marker, located at 304 Capitol Street, ensures the story of Grits & Gravy lives on, honoring its profound impact on Mississippi’s blues and recording history.
“Honoring places like Grits & Gravy recording studio ensures that the heart of Mississippi’s creative history is never forgotten,” said Rochelle Hicks, Director of Visit Mississippi. “The Blues Trail not only celebrates our cultural legacy—it strengthens it for future artists, visitors, and communities across our state.”
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About the Mississippi Blues Trail:
The Mississippi Blues Trail celebrates the profound cultural impact of blues music by honoring the musicians, venues, and cultural landmarks that have defined Mississippi’s reputation as the Birthplace of America’s Music. Administered by Visit Mississippi, this statewide initiative showcases over 200 markers commemorating the roots of blues music in Mississippi and inviting visitors to experience its enduring legacy firsthand.
For more information about the Mississippi Blues Trail, visit msbluestrail.org.
About Visit Mississippi:
Celebrated as The Hospitality State and proudly known as the Birthplace of America’s Music, Mississippi invites visitors to experience a rich tapestry of culture, history, and unforgettable adventures. From the soulful sounds of the Delta to the serene beauty of the Gulf Coast and Appalachian foothills, Mississippi is a destination where every journey tells a story.
Visit Mississippi, a division of the Mississippi Development Authority, serves as the state’s official destination marketing organization. As storytellers and cultural ambassadors, we champion Mississippi through strategic global marketing, innovative partnerships, and creative collaboration. Our mission is to elevate the state’s thriving tourism economy and inspire visitors from around the world to discover the magic that is Mississippi.
For more information, visit visitmississippi.org.
Media Contact
Katie Coats
Chief Marketing Officer
Visit Mississippi
Office: 601-359-3035
Cell: 228-357-4086
Email: KCoats@mississippi.org
