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Crystal Springs, Mississippi is home to Claud Johnson and his son, Steve Johnson. Both are direct decendants of the famous bluesman Robert Johnson, who supposedly, "sold his soul at the crossroad" in exchange for great ability to play the blues! As history would tell, Robert Johnson died at a young age, and while we remember the legacy of his music, let us not forget that more and more gifted musicians are emerging out of this small town. For example, Greg Osgood, also born and raised in Crystal Springs, and now a gifted blues musician in his early forties, has teamed up with a female vocalist and harmonica player, Cee Blaque, from Vicksburg, Ms. Together they comprise the dynamic-duo "Osgood & Blaque", who were welcomed with warm and cheering applause from those who came to see the duo perform during 2006 Annual Tomato Festival held in Crystal Springs' downtown district. Osgood & Blaque took the stage at the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation Museum located on the corner of Marion and South Jackson Street in Crystal Springs, Ms. They sold some cds, signed autographs, and talked with Claud Johnson about many things of a general nature. Afterwards, there were companionship, discussions, music and food.

It's a just a short drive from Delta, Louisiana across the mighty Mississippi River into what has been called "the red carpet city of the South", Vicksburg, Mississippi. But, as you drive northward along Washington Street, you'll also encounter several glimpses of Vicksburg history such as the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Overlook and much more before you finally arrive downtown where you'll experience the virgin passion of Borrello's Italian Restaurant, Walnut Hills Restaurant or LD's Kitchen, all in the proximity of downtown. Take a brisk walk up and down Leevee Street near the flood wall and examine the newly dedicated Willie Dixon Mural located just around the corner from LD's Kitchen. Then mosey on around to Highway 61 Cofeehouse on Washington Street and get a whiff of Osgood & Blaque perking some freshly brewed "blues" and "oldies" served along with whatever your favorite coffee or mocha or hot chocolate or whatever. You've got to experience the fun of it all just this once. Don't plan for it. Just stop in. Whenever you're traveling down 61 from Memphis or up from Baton Rouge, just stop in. Drink some coffee. Enjoy the blues.

Cruise on over to Walnut Hills Restaurant and enjoy a fine array of southern dishes. You'll bite your tongue just thinking about the tasty meals that have been savored by personalities as far back as the legendary Son Thomas. In fact, Osgood & Blaque have performed in the very same spot where "Son" Thomas originally performed several decades ago. Here's a spine-chilling tale of a legendary bluesman. "Son" Thomas was one of the great Delta blues musicians, as well as a self-taught sculptor. As the story goes, Joyce May bought Walnut Hills in 1995 with Mary Ellen Flowers who soon went back to school and sold her interest to May. "It was something that I had always dreamed of," May said of owning a restaurant. "When I was a little girl, I used to play restaurant. And what cooking skills I have, I owe to my mother and grandmother, who taught me early to make molasses cookies and fantastic pies."

You never know where we're gonna be so if you're looking for Osgood & Blaque, you can smell, taste and feel the blues the closer you get to Vicksburg. It's savored with that southern cuisine that will make your mouth water. You'll thirst for that real southern Missisissippi culture. It's as historical as the art you'll find at the newly relocated H.C. Porter's Art Gallery, also on Washington Street. So, the next time you're traveling through the southern part of the United States, stop by Vicksburg, Mississippi and get a good whiff of real Italian cuisine, southern flavor, down home blues, smokestack barbecue, steamin' hot coffee and eye-poppin' history, all served up just for YOU our guests! And if somebody tells you Osgood & Blaque ain't around......aw...shoot!...they're just lying! See you when you get here!

There are many experienced, proven, emerging artists that have demonstrated their worth. The wise among us will find ways to help them. Green, raw artists emerge everyday. And many unproven, inexperienced artists quickly experience demise. The cold, hard truth is: Not all emerging artist are ready for major exposure. This is serious as it involves other people's time, money and energy, as well as the artist‘s own resources. My experience has led me to conclude that sometimes its just easier for some to prejudge. In such a circumstance, it may be difficult to swallow a decision in favor of someone else. This thinking is not new. Bertrand Russell, who receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, once said: "What is [new] in our time is the increased power of the authorities to enforce their prejudices." I believe that negative critique is positive critique if it’s honest. Do you? Then, use it wisely.