Heaven and Hell Parties: Ministers, Bluesmen, and Black Youth in the Mississippi Delta, 1920-1942.

Blues musicians; African American religious leaders; Blues music -- History & criticism; Satirical songs; Economic competition; He Calls That Religion (Music); Mississippi Sheiks (Performer); Southern United States history, 1865-1951; African American history

Delta (Miss. : Region); Southern States; Mississippi

This article focuses on the verbal conflict between blues musicians and black ministers in the Mississippi Delta between 1920 and 1942. The condemnation of blues music as "devil's music" by black preachers helped shape the aesthetic aspects of the music and the life-journeys of blues musicians. It mentions that blues musicians would satirize preachers in their music and presents lyrics to the song "He Calls That Religion" by the blues group Mississippi Sheiks. The article states that blues music accused black ministers of engaging in and fomenting sinful behavior. There was competition between blues musicians and black ministers for money. The Great Migration of blacks from the South to northern cities seriously depleted black communities and churches.