Music trail honors Rayville blues duo with marker, concert

The Louisiana Blues Trail unveiled a marker commemorating local Delta Blues duo Po’ Henry and Tookie Saturday at Rayville’s gazebo on US Highway 425.

“It is so rewarding that so many of you took time out of your busy schedules to -- from what I hear -- travel great distances to come and share and participate in this program,” Rayville Mayor Harry Lewis said. “I would just like to congratulate and thank the family for allowing the Town of Rayville to enjoy and take part of this. I would also like to thank Mr. Doyle Jeter who was instrumental in bring this to fruition.”

In addition to unveiling the marker, the event was celebrated with a three-hour blues concert at the gazebo.

“A brilliant day and a big turnout for the unveiling of the Po’ Henry and Tookie historical marker on The Northeast Louisiana Music Trail,” organizer Doyle Jeter said. “Visitors came from all over the state and beyond.”

The long list of musicians, including Henry’s grandson’s Mark Taylor Band, local legend Gene Stewart, Jon Lord and Deacon Lee, as well as Honey Child and others, donated their performances and wowed the crowd, which included many family members of the honorees. 

“Henry Dorsey and Tookie Collom  were celebrated in style,” Jeter said. “Thanks to the town of Rayville, Mayor Harry Lewis and his crew, Bill Boles and Georgia Inechen for hosting this memorable event.” 

The marker reads: “Henry Dorsey & Marlan Tookie Collom first met while working on a cotton farm. Their mutual love for old time Delta Blues made them friends for life. As the Duo Po’ Henry and Tookie, they played New Orleans Jazz Fest, Mississippi Delta Blues Fest, Louisiana Folklife Fest, Rayville’s Pickin’ and Ginnin’, Smithsonian Festival or American Folklife in Washington, D.C. and hundreds of venues nationwide.”