About US

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues Commission (MGCBC) was founded in March 1991 with a mission:

1. To hold an annual blues festival in September with part of the proceeds distributed amongst youth organizations in the coastal counties of Mississippi, and
2. To promote the blues as an art form that originated in Mississippi and her southern sister states.

Today, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues Commission (hereafter referred to as the “Commission”) is a 501 © (3) nonprofit organization with a distinguished membership consisting of sustaining and associate member. The Commission is headed by an equally distinguished executive committee.

Executive Committee Members:

Addie Brent, President
Phyllis Owens, First Vice President
Frederick Sock, Second Vice President
Maggie Richardson, Secretary
Finas Belk, Treasurer

Sustaining Members Ary Armstead Lee Barnes John Beckman Eloise Burnside Betty Coleman Gaye Cosey Stanley “Rip” Daniels Isaiah Edwards Joann Fields Roy Irons

Jeffrey Kinight Steve Lankford Joseph Roberts Otis Sanders Ruthie Thaggart-White Victoria Webb Vincent Williams Associate Members James Barnes Alice Dickey Justin Mitchell