Cat Head Story
Cat Head is named after three things (in reverse order): "cat head biscuits" (a Southern biscuit the size of a cat's head), animal-themed blues record labels (Alligator, Fat Possum, Rooster, etc.) and the "cat head" drawings of Leland, Mississippi, bluesman/folk artist Pat Thomas.
A deejay here once labeled me "Clarksdale's Blues Ambassador." Kinda nice. I'll take it.
Hi. I’m Roger Stolle. Cat Head is my place.
Cat Head is Mississippi's Blues Store, but honestly, I never set out to own a record store or art gallery or souvenir stand (or whatever the heck this thing is). I set out to fulfill a mission.
In 2002, I moved to what some called a “dying” town to organize and promote from within.
How did I end up in Clarksdale, and what am I “organizing and promoting,” exactly? Well, I’m glad you asked.
Much of what follows is excerpted from the Introduction to my book, Hidden History of Mississippi Blues (The History Press/Arcadia Publishing). You really should treat yourself to a copy. Just sayin'...
I grew up in a family that didn’t really listen to much music. My dad loved talk radio. My mom had a few dusty albums we rarely played. And my older sister mostly kept her pop records hidden from her less cool, younger brother.
This all changed on the morning of August 17th, 1977.
252 Delta Avenue Clarksdale Tel: (662) 624-5992 Hours:
Monday - Saturday 11 - 5,
Sunday 11 - 3
Patriotic Holidays 11 - 2
Closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day