LOCAL YONDER
BLUES BROTHER: A mural depicting the community’s legacy as the Blues Capital of Texas prominently features Mance Lipscomb (at far left in mural and in bottom photo), who was born and is buried in Navasota.
True Blues
Navasota embraces a genre born of sorrow LORETTA FULTON
FOLKS IN NAVASOTA may be “singin’ the blues,” but it’s not because they’re in despair. Just the opposite, in fact. The city was designated the “Blues Capital of Texas” in 2005 by the Texas Legislature, and, ever since, residents have been downright upbeat about the blues. Bert Miller, the current mayor of Navasota, notes that the city, located between College Station and Houston, had a popular Blues Fest that originated in 1996. From
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that event, someone got the idea that seeking the “Blues Capital of Texas” designation from the state would be a worthy pursuit. “I definitely supported it,” said Miller, president of Miller Insurance Agency. Even though the Blues Fest ended in 2016 — organizers cited increased costs and decreased funding — much grew from the blues capital designation. A blues-themed mural covers the side of a building; a sculpture of blues musician and hometown prod-
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BRAZOS TRAIL REGION
FROM LET: RUSSELL CUSHMAN; ALLMUSIC.COM
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