Historical Marker

Little Milton Campbell

Marker provided by: Mississippi Blues Commission.

Little Milton Campbell, one of the world’s leading performers of blues and soul music for several decades, was born on the George Bowles plantation about two miles southwest of this site on September 7, 1933. Acclaimed as both a singer and guitarist, Campbell was a longtime crowd favorite at Mississippi festivals and nightclubs. His hits included “We’re Gonna Make It,” “The Blues Is Alright,” and “That’s What Love Will Make You Do.” He died in Memphis on August 4, 2005.

There was nothing “little” in stature or physique about Milton Campbell, whose nickname served only to distinguish him from his father, “Big” Milton Campbell. As a vocalist Campbell was equally effective with powerful anthems and soft ballads, and as a guitarist he had few peers. He was also a savvy businessman who demanded professionalism from his bands and insisted on maintaining a consistent musical identity throughout his long career. Campbell produced many of his own records and booked other artists through Camil Productions, a company he ran with his wife, Pat.

Campbell was born near Inverness but spent most of his early childhood with his mother in Magenta in Washington County. He built a one-stringed guitar on the side of his home and around age twelve he bought his first real guitar via mail order with money he had made by working in the cotton fields. He returned sometimes to stay with his father in Inverness and later performed at the town’s top blues venue, the Harlem Club, owned by Wallace Bowles (brother of plantation owner George Bowles, Jr.). Milton, however, always cited Leland blues bandleader Eddie Cusic as the first to give him experience playing for audiences. By his late teens Milton had moved to Greenville, where he performed with local luminaries including Sonny Boy Williamson No. 2, Joe Willie Wilkins, and Willie Love. He also hosted a radio program there on WGVM.

Campbell first recorded in Jackson as a sideman with Love in 1951. In 1953 talent scout Ike Turner helped Campbell land a recording contract with Sun Records in Memphis. Milton started to develop his own distinctive style after relocating in the mid-’50s to East St. Louis and later to Chicago. In St. Louis he recorded for Bobbin Records and also recruited talent for the label, including then little-known Albert King. Campbell moved on to Chicago’s Checker label, where he began to blend his blues with soul music and rose to national prominence with a long string of hits. In 1971 Campbell signed with the Memphis soul label Stax, where he scored further hits, and in 1984 he joined the Jackson-based Malaco label for a long and productive association that resulted in fourteen albums. He moved to Las Vegas, though he kept an apartment in Memphis in order to be closer to the Southern soul and blues performing circuit where he remained a major attraction. During his career Little Milton had a total of twenty-nine singles and seventeen albums on the Billboard magazine charts. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1988. Campbell suffered a stroke on July 27, 2005, and died a week later

The Mississippi Blues Trail markers tell stories through words and images of bluesmen and women and how the places where they lived and the times in which they existed–and continue to exist–influenced their music. The sites run the gamut from city streets to cotton fields, train depots to cemeteries, and clubs to churches. We have a lot to share, and it’s just down the Mississippi Blues Trail.

The Mississippi Blues Trail is an ongoing project of the Mississippi Blues Commission. Funding for this project has been made possible by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, AT&T, and the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University plus additional support from the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division.

For more information visit msbluestrail.org.

Blues Trail
Audiobooks about the history of Mississippi.
The state has a strong tradition of hunting and fishing, and many Mississippians enjoy outdoor activities such as deer hunting, bass fishing, and birdwatching.
Mississippi random facts
Located in the Mississippi Delta region, Sunflower County has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes. In the 19th century, European settlers began to establish cotton plantations, relying heavily on enslaved African labor.

Sunflower County played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century. It was the birthplace of Fannie Lou Hamer, a prominent civil rights activist who tirelessly fought for voting rights, school desegregation, and equal treatment for African Americans. The county became a battleground for racial equality, witnessing numerous protests and acts of resistance against segregation and discrimination.

During the mid-20th century, Sunflower County, like much of the Mississippi Delta, experienced socio-economic hardships due to mechanization in agriculture and the decline of the cotton industry. Poverty and unemployment became prevalent, and the population decreased as many residents left in search of better opportunities.

In recent years, Sunflower County has made efforts to revitalize its economy and improve living conditions for its residents. Various initiatives have been implemented to promote education, job creation, and community development. While challenges persist, the county continues to evolve and adapt, striving for a brighter future. Today, Sunflower County serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by its inhabitants in the past, while also showcasing their resilience and determination for a better tomorrow.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Sunflower County, Mississippi.

  • Early 1800s: Sunflower County was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw.
  • 1833: The Mississippi Legislature established Sunflower County.
  • 1844: The county seat was established in the town of Pheba.
  • 1846: Pheba was renamed to Sunflower, becoming the county seat.
  • 1854: The town of Sunflower was superseded by the newly established town of Johnsonville as the county seat.
  • 1858: Sunflower County's seat moved again, this time to McNutt.
  • 1910: Indianola became the permanent county seat, replacing McNutt.
  • 1920s-1930s: Sunflower County experienced a significant growth in cotton farming and became a major center for the agricultural industry.
  • 1950s-1960s: The Civil Rights Movement had a strong presence in Sunflower County, with notable activists leading initiatives for equality.
  • 2004: The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center opened in Indianola, honoring the famous blues musician who was born in Sunflower County.
  • Present: Sunflower County continues to be primarily agricultural, with a focus on cotton, soybeans, and catfish farming.