Join the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) at the Mississippi Makers Fest on Entergy Plaza at the Two Mississippi Museums and along North Street on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This festival will feature Mississippi artisans, live music, make-and-take activities, food trucks, and more.
Live Music
Enjoy free live music on the lawn and dance from day into night with a variety of Mississippi musicians, from blues to country to rock. Makers Fest has it all!
Art
Featuring art, crafts, ceramics and other products by Mississippi-based artists and artisans, the finest local Makers will be on display all day with items available to purchase.
Food
Local food trucks and food vendors will be onsite with eats and treats for purchase.
Music Lineup:
3:00 pm: The BJT Trio
Bill Ellison, Temperance Babcock and Jeff Perkins build their distinctive sound on the classic combination of fiddle, bass and acoustic guitar. Their vocal harmonies and instrumental arrangements cover the musical spectrum from Bill Monroe to the Everly Brothers to Old Crow Medicine Show.
Ellison has been a mainstay in Mississippi’s acoustic music scene both as a performer and as host of Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s “Grassroots”. Babcock, a classically trained violinist and former member of the Mississippi Symphony, has studied under Felicia Moye and has recorded with members of Ricky Skaggs’s band Kentucky Thunder. Bill and Temperance are joined by well-known bassist and vocalist Jeff Perkins.
Bill, Temperance and Jeff have been much in demand performing for the Jackson Advertising Federation, the National Governors Conference at the Hard Rock Casino on the MS Gulf Coast, the Neshoba County Fair, and have been featured with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.
4:00 pm: Jamell Richardson
Jamell’s musical journey all started shortly after the day he was born. His Mother and Grandmother who was a church pastor carried him to church with her every chance she could. By the age of one Jamell, was already being influenced by all the church musicians, with his grandmother taking notice to his interest in music she decided to buy him his first guitar. By age 11 he was already an active studio and church musician as well as a vocalist. With his inspiration spawning from being raised in the church, Jamell groomed his skills playing behind numerous gospel quartet groups, from Rance Allen, Paul Beasley, to Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp and a number of other well- known gospel acts. As he matured, Jamell began to expand his horizons by listening to B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, George Benson, Eric Johnson, and many more which lead to his growing interest in other genres especially the blues. By 2012 he was on the road touring and recording with the legendary Southern Soul Bluesman Mel Waiters. There is where he quickly began to shine being featured as Mel Waiters’ "Young Gun” and "Phenomenal Guitar Player” capturing every moment he was called on for his electric solos, he became a youtube sensation and one of the most memorable parts of the show. Fall 2013 with Jamell’s music career taking off he also got introduced to acting, when he was cast as guitarist Jimmy Nolen in "Get On Up,” (James Brown Biopic) – Produced by Mick Jagger and Brian Grazer- Featuring, Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther), Dan Aykroyd, Jill Scott, Tika Sumpter, Craig Robinson, Not only did Jamell play James Brown’s long time friend and musician Jimmy Nolen, but he also worked as the movie’s guitar instructor and coach. He taught everyone from Top 10 Billboard recording artist Aloe Blacc to Keith Robinson (Dream Girls), and a number of other cast members from the film. So far in his career as a musician he has had the opportunity to share the stage with legends such as Bobby Womack, Lenny Williams, Bobby Bland, Latimore, Al Green, Shirley Brown, Denise LaSalle, Millie Jackson, and many more blues legends.
In 2015 Jamell won the 92zew "Reach For The Beach Contest" which landed him a featured performance on MTV HANGOUT MUSIC FESTIVAL. He performed the Main Stage with artists/bands such as: The Foo Fighters, Trampled By Turtles, Jenny Lewis, Spoon, Paramore and more.
In 2017 Jamell was Honored on the 198th Mississippi Blues Trail Marker in Meridian, Ms. Making him a living legend at age 29.
In 2021 Jamell was awarded the "KING OF THE BLUES AWARD" A Tribute to B.B KING by the Jus Blues Music Foundation.
Performing on stage today, Jamell is known for his "B.B. King-like” facial expressions, Jimi Hendrix style guitar tricks, his strong soulful voice and his incredible stage presents. When asked how he would describe himself to his fans he responded, "I am a hard-working, humble, and lovable musician. I have a strong passion for perfection. I love to to make people laugh, but when it comes to music there is nothing I love more than entertaining my fans and sending them home knowing they got their moneys worth.”
Jamell released his debut EP "Gulf Coast Blues Boy” in 2014, and his full album "Blues How I Wanna Blues in 2017. Both are available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, etc.
He's currently writing, producing, and recording new music at the Legendary Sun Studio Memphis, TN With his unforgettable, diverse style, Jamell is truly a one-of-a-kind Performer.
5:15 pm: Happy Landing
Happy Landing is an American folk rock band formed in Oxford, Mississippi in 2020 by Matthew Hendley (guitar/vocals), Keegan Christensen (keys/bass/vocals), Jacob Christensen (drums/vocals), Andrew Gardner (violin/mandolin/vocals), and Wilson Moyer (bass/guitar/vocals). The group pioneers a new style of “edgy, folky rock,” captivating audiences across the US with their energetic live shows and fresh sound, blended from the roots of indie rock, folk, and punk.
In 2024, following a successful year of touring with notable bands like The Head and The Heart, Judah & the Lion, and The 502’s, the band is set to release and tour their first full-length album and make their debut at major festivals and venues around the country.
6:45 pm: Colin Stough
While Country Rock phenom and Gattman, Mississippi native Colin Stough is only knocking on the door to his twenties, he has traversed a long journey in a few short years - starting with his debut EP Promiseland, released in the Fall of 2023. After learning to play guitar at 8 years old, Stough first pursued artistic dreams at 10, boldly trading childhood possessions for his first guitar at a local pawn shop - an instrument he still plays to this day.
