HOME

PROGRAM

CLASSES

MUSICIANS

NEWS

LINKS

DBEP MUSICIANS

Mr. Johnnie

Johnnie "Mr. Johnnie" Billington is the primary teacher and artistic director of theDBEP. A master guitar player & singer, he returned to his Delta rootstwenty years ago after playing with Chicago Blues greats Muddy Waters, ElmoreJames, and Earl Hooker (also natives of the Delta). He wanted to be closer tohis aging mother and family, and dedicated himself to teaching children. Anautomobile mechanic by day, he used to open his shop at night apprenticingneighborhood children. He was awarded Master Folk Artist Status by theMississippi Arts Commission (MAC) in 1993, and in 1995 received the W.C. Handy "Keepingthe Blues Alive in Education." In 1999, Mr. Johnnie was honored with a Governor's Award by the State of Mississippi.

It is not by coincidence that theother three musicians (Michael James "Dr. Mike," Harvell Thomas andDione Thomas) were themselves once apprentices of Mr. Johnnie's. He hasinstilled in them not only the Delta Blues tradition, but also the ability toteach others. Mr. Johnnie is responsible for quality control in the teaching,and the authenticity of the music tradition being taught.

Dr. Mike

Michael James "Dr. Mike" learned to play guitar seventeen yearsago under the tutelage of Mr. Johnnie in his garage classroom and soon graduatedinto full-time performance as a young virtuosos. Like many blues musicians, hebegan his career playing gospel music in church. He has been the lead guitarplayer with the Wesley Jefferson Band for fifteen years, and plays session withBig Jack Johnson, Frank Frost, Sam Carr, Arthneice Jones, and many others. Dr. Mike now conducts his own class every afternoon of the week as teacher for the Delta Blues Museum's "Arts & Education Program."

Harvell & Dione Thomas

Harvell & Dione Thomas also began their professional musicianship withMr. Johnnie (Harvell on bass and Dione on drums). At age eleven, Dione was oneof the best drummers in the Delta. They gigged with Mr. Johnnie for years ashis band "The Midnighters," and then split off with several other ofMr. Johnnie's apprentices to form the "Stone Gas Band." Harvellreceived 1996 Apprenticeship Grant from MAC, and is handicapped (polio). Harvell and Dione are considered some of the best blues musicians in thecompetitive Delta environment, and regularly are asked to back up performing &recording musicians such as Little Jeno Tucker, Big Jack Johnson, Terry "Youngblood"Williams, and others. Today they form the backbone of the band for James "Super Chikan" Johnson.

Administration

John Ruskey (Director) is a writer and musician, and was a student of Mr. Johnnie's in the early 1990's. He also conducts guided expeditions on the Mississippi River with Quapaw Canoe Company.

Katherine Young (Treasurer) is an accountant for DARTS. Her daughter, Venessia, is an assistant teacher for the program.

Dr. Vivian Presley (Board Member) is the president of Coahoma County Community College.