BBQ Rib Cookoff
Pitmasters from across North Mississippi compete for bragging rights and the best rib in Tippah County. Smell it from three blocks away.
Celebrating R.L. Burnside's 100th Birthday
Burnside Music Fest
Big music. Small town.
Hill Country blues the way R.L. meant it.
—Days
—Hours
—Minutes
—Seconds
The Legacy
A hundred years of Hill Country groove.
Robert Lee Burnside was born in 1926 in the red clay hills of North Mississippi — a few miles of dirt road from the spot where you're about to stand. He turned a style of blues with no name into one of the most hypnotic, unapologetic sounds the world has ever heard.
Burnside Music Fest is how Ripley says thank you. One day a year, the streets turn into a juke joint. The amps point outward. The grooves don't resolve. And everybody — grandmas, kids on shoulders, pilgrims who drove ten hours — stands in the same sun and feels the same drone.
2026 is R.L.'s hundredth. We're making it the loudest yet.
100Years since R.L. was born
7Acts on the stage
$0Cost to get in
2026 Lineup
Seven acts. One street.
All day and into the night.
Live music starts at 2:00 PM on the Hill Country Blues Alley stage. Follow the schedule below!
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01
Kody Shade Harrell
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM · Hill Country Blues · Psychedelic Guitarist
Production assistant at Zebra Ranch Studio and member of the Cedric Burnside Band. Harrell brings an electrifying performance blending traditional country blues with psychedelic guitar improvisation and handcrafted cigar box instruments.
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02
Pistol and the Queen
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM · Regal Rock & Roll · Blues-rock duo
Formed after a chance meeting in London, this blues-rock duo made their way to Mississippi and never looked back. Ten years in, they're still bringing their signature "Regal Rock & Roll" wherever they go.
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03
The Pip Project
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM · Mississippi blues · funk · soul
A Mississippi-rooted ensemble blending blues, funk, and soul with a contemporary edge. High-energy live performances built on the deep musical heritage of the Magnolia State.
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04
Titus Gillard
5:45 PM – 6:45 PM · Mississippi blues · singer & guitarist
Left-handed Mississippi blues guitarist from Myrtle, MS. Draws on Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan while staying rooted in the state's rich tradition — has shared stages with Eric Gales, Mr. Sipp, Dexter Allen, and Garry Burnside.
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05
Cedric Burnside
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Headliner · Grammy winner · Grandson of R.L.
Two-time Grammy winner and one of the most celebrated torchbearers of North Mississippi Hill Country blues. His 2021 album I Be Trying won Best Traditional Blues Album, carrying his grandfather's raw, driving style into a new generation.
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06
Lena Beach & Boo Mitchell
8:15 PM – 9:15 PM · Memphis soul meets the hills
A rising vocalist bridging classic Memphis R&B with contemporary blues, sharing the stage with Grammy-winning producer Boo Mitchell of Royal Studios — the legendary home of Al Green and the Hi Records sound.
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07
Garry Burnside
9:30 PM – 10:00 PM · Son of R.L. Burnside
Youngest son of R.L. Burnside. Grew up playing alongside his father and Junior Kimbrough in the Holly Springs scene. His 2025 solo debut It's My Time Now (Strolling Bones Records) was recorded at Royal Studios with Grammy winner Boo Mitchell — a raw blend of blues, rock, and funk straight out of North Mississippi.
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08
Jam Session to Follow
10:00 PM – Close · All-Star Collaborative Finale
An epic, open-ended jam session featuring festival performers and special guests coming together to close out the night in true Hill Country style, honoring the legacy of R.L. Burnside through spontaneous musical collaboration.
Lineup subject to change. More acts and set times to be announced — follow Ripley Main Street for updates.
On the Street
More than a concert. It's a Saturday.
Vendor Booths
Local artisans, record diggers, Mississippi-made goods, and Ripley Main Street favorites up and down E Spring Street.
Food Trucks
Tacos, fried catfish, tamales, sno-cones, and all the festival fuel you'd expect from a Saturday in Mississippi.
Live Music From 2:00 PM
One stage. Seven scheduled acts plus a closing jam session. Music runs all afternoon and straight through the night.
Family Friendly
Kids run free. Outdoor street festival, open to all ages, welcoming to Mississippi locals and blues pilgrims alike.
Local Vendors & Makers
Calling all local vendors & makers!
Be part of the celebration as we honor the 100th birthday of legendary blues musician R.L. Burnside at Burnside Music Fest on Saturday, June 6th, 2026 in Historic Downtown Ripley, Mississippi! 🔥
- Handmade Goods
- Local Art & Crafts
- Small Businesses & Makers
- Pop-Up on Walnut St (just outside the Blues Alley)
- Vendor Fee: $30 per space
This one-day festival will bring together live music, local culture, food, shopping, and community in the heart of downtown Ripley.
Spaces are limited — reserve your spot soon! Apply online or message Ripley Main Street for more information.
Visit
Historic Downtown Ripley,
Tippah County, Mississippi.
The festival unfolds along E Spring St on the Hill Country Blues Alley — right in the heart of downtown Ripley's historic square.
- Address
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Hill Country Blues Alley
111 E Spring St
Ripley, MS 38663 - Getting here
- About 1 hour southeast of Memphis, TN, and 45 minutes north of Tupelo, MS via US-78 and MS-15. Free street parking around the downtown square.
- What to bring
- A folding chair, sunscreen, cash for vendors and BBQ, and your dancing shoes. Leave the cooler — food and drinks on site.
In the Press
What people are writing about Burnside Music Fest
- "Burnside Music Fest returns to Ripley on June 6, 2026." Read the feature ↗
- "New website launches for Burnside Music Fest ahead of 2026 event in Ripley." Read the article ↗
- "Signed Burnside festival guitar auction to benefit Ripley revitalization." Read the article ↗
- "Organizers offer $75 VIP wristbands for Burnside Music Fest." Read the article ↗
Places to Stay
Make it a weekend in Ripley.
Coming in from out of town? Ripley and the surrounding Tippah County area have hotels, inns, and short-term rentals within easy driving distance of the festival grounds.
Visit Ripley MS keeps an up-to-date list of local lodging — from budget-friendly motels to charming regional stays.
Good to Know
Frequently Asked
Is Burnside Music Fest really free?
Yes — free admission, no tickets required. The festival is a gift to the community, produced by Ripley Main Street with support from sponsors and vendors.
What time does the music start?
Live music kicks off at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 6, 2026, with acts performing throughout the afternoon and evening. Gates and other activities like the vendor booths and Rib Cookoff open at 12:00 PM.
Can I bring a chair or cooler?
Folding chairs are welcome and recommended. Outside coolers and outside alcohol are not permitted — food trucks, BBQ vendors, and concessions will be on site.
Is there parking?
Plenty of free street parking is available around Ripley's downtown square and adjacent side streets. Arrive early for the closest spots to the stage.
Is it family friendly? Kids? Dogs?
All ages welcome. Kids are free and there's plenty of room to run around the square. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are generally welcome — please use your judgment in crowds and heat.
What if it rains?
Burnside Music Fest is a rain-or-shine outdoor event. In the unlikely case of severe weather, updates will be posted on the Ripley Main Street Facebook page.
How can vendors, food trucks, or sponsors get involved?
Reach out to Ripley Main Street directly via Facebook message or email. Vendor spots and sponsorship tiers are released in the spring each year.