Road Trip to the Blues: Why Clarksdale Is Always Worth the Drive

I’ve always felt lucky living just one state over from Mississippi! It makes it easy to slip away for a trip that feels like stepping into another world. And if there’s one place that captures that feeling perfectly, it’s Clarksdale, Mississippi.

In the heart of the Delta, about 75 miles south of Memphis, Clarksdale sits right at the famous crossroads of Highways 61 and 49. But it’s more than just a dot on the map: it’s a place with a vibe all its own. The moment you arrive, you can feel it: the music, the stories, the slightly rough-around-the-edges charm that makes everything feel real and alive.

Vic Barbieri, craftsman of the original Blues Crossroads sign, is pictured here at the
Cruzn the Crossroads Car and Truck Show with a replica of the original sign –
located at the site where bluesman Robert Johnson allegedly sold his soul to
the devil in exchange for musical talent. | Credit: Rory Doyle

For anyone who loves music, this place hits differently. Clarksdale is about as close as you can get to the birthplace of the Blues, and that legacy isn’t just history - it’s everywhere! You hear it drifting out of juke joints, echoing from street corners, and filling the air seven nights a week. This is also where the legendary crossroads story lives on, tied to Robert Johnson and the myth of trading his soul for musical greatness. Whether you believe the story or not, standing there gives you chills.

Chasing Greatness at 3 A.M.: Watching Arda Saatçi Push Human Limits

There’s a certain kind of madness that only makes sense in the middle of the night.

The kind where you tell yourself, “Just ten more minutes,” and suddenly it’s 3:47 a.m., your room is completely dark except for the glow of a livestream, and you’re emotionally invested in a man running through the California desert like sleep is optional.

That is me this week watching Arda Saatçi during his current “Cyborg Season” run - a brutal 600-kilometer challenge from Death Valley to Santa Monica in just 96 hours. You can watch the live stream HERE!

And somehow, even through the exhaustion, the silence, and the absurdity of staying awake for someone else’s suffering, I couldn’t stop watching.

Because Arda doesn’t just run.

I Need Your Vote: Help Me Share My Art With the World (and Johnny Depp)

I’m so excited (and honestly still a little in disbelief) to share that I’ve been selected for the first round of Johnny Depp’s The People’s Artist Project. Out of so many talented creatives, my work was chosen to move forward, and now the next step depends on community support.

This project is about giving artists a platform and helping new voices be seen. Through public voting, artists have the chance to move through the competition and earn incredible opportunities that could truly change the direction of their creative journey.

If I’m fortunate enough to continue advancing, the rewards go far beyond recognition. Winners have the opportunity to display their artwork at The Art of Elysium’s Salon, appear in Artforum Magazine, and receive a $25,000 prize.

For me, this isn’t just about a contest.