by Haley Burke
Every year, young musicians from around the world make the journey to Clarksdale, Mississippi to immerse themselves in the music, history, and culture that shaped so much of American music. For me, attending the Pinetop Perkins Foundation Workshop has become one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of my musical journey.
When I attended for the first time last summer, I had no idea what to expect. I arrived hoping to become a better guitarist, but I left with so much more than new techniques and licks. I found lifelong friends, incredible mentors, and a community that completely changed the way I look at music. So when it came time to return this year, I couldn’t wait to get back to Clarksdale. This year was especially exciting because four young musicians from the Kansas City area had the opportunity to attend together: myself, Olivia Todd, Bradley Griffin, and “Hatchet Jack” Kenyon. It was incredibly special to represent our local music community while sharing the experience with musicians from all over the United States, and even other parts of the world. Walking back into the workshop I was immediately reunited with friends I met last year, and it didn’t take long before we were laughing, swapping stories, and picking up right where we left off. At the same time, I had the opportunity to meet an amazing group of first-time attendees who quickly became friends by the end of the week.
I was fortunate to spend the week surrounded by incredibly talented young musicians including Kiersi Joli, Nick Spencer, Max Milowski, Andrew Sullivan, LJ and Samara Pearley, Ian Harper, Olivia Todd, Bradley Griffin, Brady Rosenberry, Webb Schmidt, Gracey Williams, Enzo Cappadona, Viggo Bjerkhagen, and many more. Every single person brought their own style, personality, and musical influences to the workshop. Whether someone came from a blues background, rock, jazz, country, or somewhere in between, we all shared the same passion for making music. It created an atmosphere where everyone was constantly learning from one another.
While the daily classes with our instructors were outstanding, my favorite part of the week happened after the lessons ended. I brought a PA system and a couple of guitar amps down to Mississippi, and before long, my cabin had become the unofficial late-night jam spot. Every evening we’d gather at the Hopson Commissary for the workshop’s nightly jam sessions, where students and instructors shared the stage in front of a crowd that truly appreciated the blues. There is something unforgettable about standing on a stage in Clarksdale, surrounded by musicians you’ve admired all week, playing the music that was born just miles away. But the music rarely stopped there.
After the official jams wrapped up, a handful of us who weren’t quite ready to call it a night would head back to my little shack. We’d squeeze inside with guitars, amps, harmonicas, and whatever instruments happened to be nearby. Sometimes we’d spend hours trading solos. Other times we’d sing songs we all knew, learn new ones from each other, or simply sit around talking about music until the early hours of the morning. Those late-night jam sessions became some of my favorite memories of the entire week.
One of the things that makes this workshop so special is that everyone is eager to teach and eager to learn. Some of my favorite lessons came from my fellow students. Kiersi was kind enough to give me a few harmonica lessons, while Max introduced me to slide guitar and showed me techniques I’d never tried before. We all shared ideas, exchanged tips, and encouraged each other without ever worrying about who was the best player in the room. Of course, not every memorable moment revolved around playing music. One evening, a group of us gathered in the drum room to watch Sinners, the 2025 film set right there in the Mississippi Delta. Watching a movie that takes place in Clarksdale while actually being in Clarksdale made the experience even more fun. Afterward, we stayed outside talking for hours, laughing, telling stories, and getting absolutely eaten alive by mosquitoes. Some of us didn’t get to sleep until 6:00 am! Looking back, I don’t think any of us cared. Those conversations and moments of simply hanging out together are just as meaningful to me as any performance we gave that week.
The instructors continued to be one of the biggest highlights of the workshop. These aren’t just great musicians, they’re people who have lived the blues. Many have toured with legendary artists, spent decades performing around the world, and carry firsthand knowledge of the music’s history. Yet despite their accomplishments, they are incredibly approachable, encouraging, and generous with their time. They taught musicianship, listening, stage presence, and how to tell a story through your instrument. Every conversation with them leaves you inspired to become a better artist.
The week came to an unforgettable close with our final showcase at the legendary Ground Zero Blues Club. I was part of the all-female showcase set, which ended up being one of my favorite performances of the week. We didn’t quite have enough women to make a full band, so a few of the guys graciously became honorary members of the group. They were great sports, and we had an absolute blast together.
Playing at Ground Zero was an incredible honor. The room was packed, the energy was electric, and standing on that stage knowing how much history those walls have witnessed is something so special. It was the perfect way to celebrate everything we’d learned throughout the week.
As I packed up my gear and prepared for the drive back to Kansas City, I realized that once again, I was leaving with far more than I had brought. I came home with new friendships, fresh inspiration, new musical ideas, and memories I’ll carry with me for years to come. The Pinetop Perkins Foundation Workshop has become much more than a place where I go to improve as a musician. It’s become a place where I reconnect with friends, challenge myself as a musician, and remember why I fell in love with the blues in the first place.
None of this would be possible without the incredible volunteers, organizers, instructors, donors, and supporters who dedicate their time to preserving the legacy of the blues while investing in the next generation of musicians. Their passion creates an environment where young artists can learn, collaborate, and grow in ways that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else. To everyone who makes the Pinetop Perkins Foundation Workshop possible: thank you. Thank you for preserving this music, for believing in young musicians, and for creating a community that feels like family.
Clarksdale has a way of leaving its mark on you. Somehow, every year, it becomes just a little harder to leave. I already can’t wait to come back.
