Jimmy "Duck" Holmes

While Duck comes from a much younger generation, it seems he was destined to soak up the sounds and feel of the Bentonia style whether he was trying to or not. Born Jimmy Charles Holmes on July 28, 1947, Duck grew up two houses down from Henry and Jacob Stuckey. In 1948, his mother and father opened the Blue Front Café where they served cold drinks and offered live music. This music was often provided by the Stuckeys or Jack Owens and harmonica player Bud Spires.

When Duck took over the Blue Front in 1970, he began arranging for Jack and Bud to play more regularly at the café. With the encouragement of Jack, Duck began honing his skills and has emerged as one of, if not the only living practitioners of the Bentonia style.

And you can still hear it played today at The Blue Front Café.

Recorded at Pluto Farm, MS 2003
Produced by Amos Harvey
Jimmy Holmes - vocals, guitar
Bud Spires - harmonica
Calvin Jackson - percussion
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