A neophyte reporter I walked into the Shedhead Blues Festival Saturday night unprepared, without my lawn chair or a bun in my pocket for the BBQ sold by the pound. Then I was waved away from the beer stand when I pulled out my credit card to buy one beer.

Seems like everyone else was ready though, for the 8th annual show. The big crowd pulled up shoulder to shoulder on every grassy terrace, dusty thoroughfare, or right next to the stage if they were lucky. Each paid $30.00 with the door opening at 3:00.

Little Freddie King was playing with couples dancing on the floor in front of the stage. The diehard blues fans stood by themselves in a trancelike state with heads bobbing, not a good time for an interview.

Little Freddie King with his shiny red guitar was playing his repetitious notes long and hard with slight variations until I found myself one of the head bobbers.

I caught up with Brad Orrison one of the owners of the Shed with sister, Brooke.

He told me that 10 years ago, they began with a 300 sq. ft. BBQ take out stand. Today they have a national following and 6 locations.

Brad was standing near the stage coordinating the appearances of each band. The sound men from Kenner, LA, were prepared with riders from each act with details of what they needed in Mississippi. With very little wait time for the audience the double headliners were the Bobby Blue Bland Band and Percy Sledge (When a Man Loves a Woman).

Next year I’ll be prepared, but in the mean time… I tapped a man on the shoulder, “Mister do you need all 8 of those buns?”