Mississippi Marshall
It is only fitting that singer/songwriter/guitarist “Mississippi Marshall” Hopper bears the name of his home state. Mississippi, the “birthplace of America’s music,” gifted the world with the Father of country music, the King of rock and roll, and—most of all—the Delta blues. Mississippi Marshall is a master of all three genres.
Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, Marshall grew up a poor farmer’s son in the 1960s and 70s. He began playing guitar before the age of ten and, by age eleven, he was playing professionally with his father, Ellis Hopper, and the family band. His dad was more of a “country guy,” but Marshall soon began blending country, blues, and rock and roll into a genre all his own. The words of blues legend B.B. King inspired him as he learned who “Mississippi Marshall” would sound like: “You don’t need to sound like anybody…you be you!” Taking that advice seems to have paid off. Throughout his lifelong career, he has made a name for himself and been fortunate enough to share the stage with big names such as Charlie Daniels, B.B. King, Jimmy Vaughn, Three Dog Night, Buddy Guy, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and countless others.
In concert, Marshall is captivating. He is a storyteller with or without words. He takes time to tell snippets of stories behind his songs (inspired by his own life experiences or observations), but his stage presence communicates even more. His movement is infectious; he feels the music from his bobbing, wagging, shaking head to his tapping toes and invites the listener to groove along. According to Marshall, “Blues is a feeling, and when it’s good and emotional, it can give you chill bumps. It’s that feeling in your soul and on the surface of your skin. That’s the blues you feel on ya. That’s why I invite folks to ‘come get some on ya’!” From intimate private parties to listening rooms to large blues stages, Marshall is a consummate professional who tailors his performance to his audience but won’t let anyone leave without a taste of true blues.
In the words of photographer and blues enthusiast Ray Proetto,“Mississippi Marshall is a true Delta’s Son…He is a talented songwriter, gifted musician and purveyor of his own distinctive blues style. He sings from real experience, emotion and his personal knowledge of a hard life in the Delta. Give his music a listen; you will quickly come to appreciate the talent of Mississippi Marshall.” Currently, Marshall continues performing whenever and wherever he can while taking the time to teach and influence younger blues musicians, including his grandson, Grayson Ackerland, who often shares the stage with him in a duo format as Mississippi Marshall Deluxe.
Mississippi Marshall is a two-time International Blues Challenge Semi-Finalist and a Mississippi Music Foundation award winner for Best Instrumental. Marshall and his grandson, Grayson, were semifinalists at the 2024 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. He recently released his fourth album titled I Believe I’ll Go Back Home.
To stay up-to-date on Marshall’s touring schedule and upcoming releases, visit: https://www.mississippimarshall.com/