For first time visitors, Cat Head seems like a mecca for hard-to-find blues CDs and collectibles as well as highly original folk, self-taught and outsider art. According to Roger, "Our primary customers are tourists. Blues enthusiasts and folk art fans go crazy when they walk in and see what all we've managed to pull together. We also have a loyal local clientele, but they mainly shop for holidays and birthdays. Events like that. They come in wanting to send a little bit of Mississippi to an out-of-state friend or a son or daughter away at school."

Roger says that one of the most interesting aspects of the business has been the influx of foreign visitors. "I knew that the Delta Blues Museum attracted a large and varied group of tourists, but I had no idea how many different countries would be represented in our guest book each month. England, Italy, Sweden, Australia, Israel, Japan. The list goes on and on," he said, adding, "It just shows you how important and influential Delta blues music and southern folk art is to the rest of the world." The nearby Delta Blues Museum recently hired new director Shelley Ritter who Roger says should further strengthen Clarksdale's old downtown as a blues destination.

Cat Head's 1st anniversary event schedule:

Fri., Aug. 8, 3pm-6pm
- Jefferson Leaux, Big Pete & Adam and Jimbo Mathus with CeDell Davis.
Sat., Aug. 9, 2pm-6pm
- 2pm, Andria Lisle book signing, "Waking Up In Memphis."
- 3pm, folk artists Butch Anthony, Willie Kinard & Rev. Nollie.
- 6pm, one-man band John Lowe.
Sun., Aug. 10, 9:30am-5pm
Cat Head Mini Blues Fest with Mr. Tater, Bobby Rutledge, Big George Brock, Elam McKnight & Keith Carter, Steve Cheseborough, Bill Ellis and Eric Hughes. Plus, BBQ maestro Willie Kinard grills from 11am-2pm.
Other event information
- Free coffee and donuts each morning while they last.
- Butch Ruth "Backstage Blues" photography exhibit.
- Special anniversary hours, 9am to 6pm all three days.
- Special guest 88-year-old Delta blues legend Honeyboy Edwards is expected to do an in-store over the weekend as well.