"I certainly miss getting to play with legendary blues men and women that have passed on. I have a song on my first album, Mississippi Lockdown, called “Masters of the Blues”. It pays homage to all the blues men and women that have gone home."

Mark “Muleman” Massey: Blues Medicine

Hard time leads to hard blues and Mark “Muleman” Massey’s life is a testimony to that. The grandson of sharecroppers, Muleman grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi – in the cradle of the Delta. At 19, he found himself in Parchman Prison, which was modeled after a slave plantation. Like Leadbelly, R.L. Burnside, and Bukka White who preceded Muleman’s time there, he was living the unimaginable prison life. Although he’d never picked up a guitar, David Kimbrough, the son of legendary blues icon Junior Kimbrough, took Muleman under his wing and taught him the basics. Muleman’s innate talents and inspired experiences earned him a spot in the legendary Parchman Prison Band, which was the first time Muleman opened up for B.B. King. When Muleman completed his time, he vowed to turn the negative into a positive. He’s played every dive and juke joint, and rose through the ranks to play festival main stages and record with the likes of Bobby Rush, Eric Gales, and Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery – to name a few.

(Photo: Mark “Muleman” Massey)

Muleman played other shows – no longer clad in prison stripes – with B.B. King on the bill. He’s been recognized – and recorded by - the Library of Congress. Throughout it all, Muleman gives back whenever he can. His full circle moments came when he – voluntarily – returned to Parchman to help other inmates find musical inspiration. The very prison where he was shackled for years now proudly recognizes Muleman with his own Mississippi Blues Trail marker near the entrance. Mark Massey's new 12-tracks album "Been A Long, Long Time" (2024) released by MuleTone Records. Muleman honors those before him with traditional Blues standards, but his renowned songwriting has earned him great respect, as you will hear in this inspired record out of the legendary Muscle Shoals studio.

Interview by Michael Limnios                Special Thanks: Frank Roszak Promotions

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

I learned that the blues brings out the feelings from the conditions of my youth. In the beginning the blues was a source of freedom from the prison walls that held me, but today it is a way of storytelling in hope of connecting with others of similar experiences.

How do you describe your sound and songbook? What is the driving force behind your continuous support for your songs/music?

I’ve struggled for many years to find my own sound and I feel that I am still evolving. Being that I was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi and by having to do a stay on Parchman Farm Prison as a younger man, (which is where I was taught to play and where I became a member of the infamous Parchman Prison Band), I feel that the Delta Blues has a deep influence on me. Then also, having lived here in the Hill Country area of North MS most of my life, I have close ties to the late R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough. And lastly, the love I have for the Southern Soul sound of R & B, like Johnny Taylor, is also heard in my music. I guess I would have to say that my sound is a “gumbo” of the sub-genres of the blues. I definitely think this newest album, “Been a Long, Long Time” serves up a big bowl of gumbo seasoned with that Muscle Shoals sound! This album was cowritten with myself and two great songwriter’s Mr. Ed Hill and Mr. Billy Lawson, both have quite a few number 1 hits on the country charts. This album was written and cut in Muscle Shoals, AL at Wishbone Recording Studios owned by Mr. Lawson and produced by him as well. Now as far as the driving force behind my music, I would just simply say that it is my medicine.

"I learned that the blues brings out the feelings from the conditions of my youth. In the beginning the blues was a source of freedom from the prison walls that held me, but today it is a way of storytelling in hope of connecting with others of similar experiences." (Photo: Mark “Muleman” Massey)

Why do you think that Clarksdale Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

It’s the history and the heart of America’s music. Blues lovers around the world recognize Clarksdale, MS as the Home of the Blues.

What moment changed your life the most? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The first time I stepped out on stage with the Parchman Prison Band as an inmate in 1992 at Medger Evers’ Ballfield in Fayette, MS. We warmed up for the late great Mr. B.B. King! What an awesome feeling, I knew then what I wanted to do, once I was a free man. I probably didn’t know it then, but I know now that the music had saved my life! So probably the best advice I got was just a few years after my stay on Parchman, I actually met Mr. B.B. again. This time it was in Indianola, MS at his last performance of his Homecoming Festival. I asked him “Where do I go from here, Mr. B.B.?” He said, “Stay out of trouble!” It caught me off guard and I didn’t say anything, lol. He said, “Did you hear me?” I said, “yes sir”. He said, “Stay out of trouble Muleman, you’ll be just fine!” It wasn’t what I was expecting but great advice all the same, but not the easiest to follow!

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

Wow, after 33 years, I have so many memories. I guess one of the most recent and most favorable memory was being asked to play for the guys on Death Row, for the very first time ever, by Mark McClure, Superintendent of the Parchman Prison. What an experience! To be in the midst of all those inmates in such close quarters, seeing and feeling their reactions to my music. Some of the guys hadn’t seen live music in over 25 years! A lot of the guys said that never in a million years, did they ever think that they would ever get to see live music again!

"How is it that all races and creeds are in a MS Juke Joint that everyone is dancing, partying and having a good time, we all get along? I always say at the end of my shows, “Y’all take a little bit of this juke joint home with you and let’s start loving one another!”" (Photo: Mark “Muleman” Massey)

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I certainly miss getting to play with legendary blues men and women that have passed on. I have a song on my first album, Mississippi Lockdown, called “Masters of the Blues”. It pays homage to all the blues men and women that have gone home.

My hope for the Blues would have to be more recognition on bigger platforms. The Grammy’s have started recognizing the genre a little more lately, but I would love for blues acts to be able to perform and be aired on TV during the Grammy’s and other bigger stages. Then I guess my fear for the Blues would have to be that our next generation doesn’t study the Blues or keep the history of the Blues going.

What is the impact of Blues on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

How is it that all races and creeds are in a MS Juke Joint that everyone is dancing, partying and having a good time, we all get along? I always say at the end of my shows, “Y’all take a little bit of this juke joint home with you and let’s start loving one another!”

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

“The light that you see in me is the light that I see in you, so let every note you hit be life!” Some great advice given to me from the legendary Carlos Santana.

Mark “Muleman” Massey - Home

(Mark “Muleman” Massey / Photo by Carol Boss)