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William Jones
William Jones was one of the last Buffalo Soldiers, a U.S. Army Master Sergeant, Prisoner of War (POW) in Korea, and founder of the 9th &...
Aug 14, 20244 min read


Cult Classic Film Brian’s Song & Pine Bluff Native Harold E. Wooley
Pine Bluff native Harold E. Wooley, worked tirelessly for over 20 years on a number of popular television movies, animated series, and...
Aug 7, 20244 min read


Sarah E. Howard and Dollarway High School
On January 21 1963, Sarah E. Howard became the first African American student to integrate Dollarway High School. She later went on to...
Jul 31, 20246 min read


Janette Davis
Janette Davis, also known as Jan The Pride of Pine Bluff, was a pop singer known for being a regular on Arthur Godfrey’s numerous...
Jul 24, 20244 min read


Larry Totsy Davis
Larry Totsy Davis was an electric blues musician best known for releasing and co-writing the song Texas Flood, which later launched the...
Jul 17, 20242 min read


Big Bill Broonzy
Blues musician Big Bill Broonzy served as an ambassador sharing the blues with international audiences across Europe and influencing...
Jul 10, 20244 min read


Anshe Emeth
On March 13, 1867, Anshe Emeth became the first Jewish congregation to receive a charter from the Arkansas state legislature. Anshe Emeth...
Jul 3, 20245 min read


Joshua Altheimer
Hailing from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Joshua Altheimer was among the most talented pre-World War II blues pianists. He played alongside “Big...
Jun 26, 20242 min read


Elmore James
His signature slide electric guitar opening laid the foundation for his eleven-year recording career, with nearly 80 titles released on...
Jun 19, 20244 min read


The Incomparable Smokie Norful
Pine Bluff native Smokie Norful is a world-renowned recording artist, musician, composer, pastor, and entrepreneur who has launched the...
Jun 5, 20243 min read


Leroy Alfred Johnston
Pine Bluff native and World War I veteran, Leroy Alfred Johnston, was a member of the Harlem Hell Fighters military band that introduced...
May 22, 20244 min read


Queen Sylvia Embry
Hailing from Arkansas, Queen Sylvia Embry was among Chicago’s few professional female blues singers and bass players, recording albums,...
May 15, 20242 min read


Bobby Rush
With over six decades in the music industry, racking up awards and playing alongside greats like Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Etta James,...
May 8, 20245 min read


Carl McVoy, Jerry Lee Lewis, & Boogie-Woogie Music
Pine Bluff resident Carl McVoy, a rockabilly musician, was instrumental in introducing his younger cousin Jerry Lee Lewis to the...
May 1, 20243 min read


Bootlegging in Pine Bluff
During Prohibition, bootlegging was popular along Pine Bluff’s bayou. Many poor African Americans were arrested on bootlegging charges...
Apr 24, 20243 min read


William Froug
Arkansas native, William Froug, spent his life cultivating his two passions, producing popular television series like The Twilight Zone,...
Apr 17, 20244 min read


James “Taildragger” Jones
After decades spent performing the Blues, James “Tail Dragger” Jones is best remembered for his magnetic performances and his decorated...
Apr 10, 20243 min read


Edward H. Wilson & Harlem’s Hotel Olga
Pine Bluff native, Edward H. Wilson opened the Hotel Olga in Harlem in 1920. From the 1920s and 30s, Hotel Olga became the unofficial...
Mar 27, 20243 min read


Richard Berry Harrison
Richard Berry Harrison was an actor and teacher of the dramatic arts and elocution at several colleges including Branch Normal College,...
Mar 13, 20244 min read


George W. Thomas & Boogie-Woogie Music
George W. Thomas was the first to publish boogie-woogie songs, which were key in the development of Country Music, Rhythm and Blues, and...
Mar 6, 20243 min read
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