HOUSTON – Blues legend, Bukka White, will have yet another day to shine for the public as he will be memorialized with a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail on Oct. 16. White was born outside of Houston in 1909 and went on to a career as a Delta blues musician.

The Chickasaw County Historical and Genealogical Society first proposed the idea of placing the marker in his honor.

“We contacted the Mississippi Blues Trail Commission about a year and a half ago to begin the process of having a marker for Bukka White,” said Society member Larry Davis.

The creation of the trail, marking the birth places of blues musicians is the primary project of the MS Blues Commission. The trail is being created in phases and is funded through grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Phase One currently consists of nine markers and phase two is underway. At the completion of the project, the trail will be comprised of more than 120 historical markers and interpretive sites located throughout the state.

The ceremony will kick off at 10 in Joe Brigance Park on Starkville Road in Houston with a welcoming address by the former longtime owner of WCPC Radio Station, Robin Mathis. The Rev. Butler Tatlon will give the invocation and remarks will come from representatives of Houston and Chickasaw County, along with Davis and Mr. White’s daughter, Irene Kerchaval.

“We think that several of Bukka’s family members may be attending,” Davis said.

The marker will be unveiled following the remarks and a reception of light refreshments will follow.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Civic Center in the park.

The public is invited to attend this historic event.