It has been cold, and bleak outside, so why not heat things up this weekend? Bring your special someone and enjoy a great day of music and memories on Saturday, February 18th as the Hagood Mill presents “Deep Winter Blues”. The site is open 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.

Upcountry South Carolina is a historical Mecca for the Blues. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s
the streets of Laurens County, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson reverberated with the music of bluesmen/street- preachers as they were strolling with their tin cups extended. Many of these musicians became famous on the streets of New York City in the folk revival of the 50s and 60s. It is this tradition that is celebrated each February at the Hagood Mill Historic Site.

The Hagood Mill is proud to present this year’s headliner – Wanda Johnson. A natural-born singer who was brought up singing in church, Wanda Johnson’s voice has been compared to the likes of Mahalia Jackson and Etta James. Known for her sultry voice and clever songwriting, Wanda has taken her music to many well-known festivals, including the Chicago Blues Festival (Illinois-USA), Poconos Blues Festival (Pennsylvania-USA), Cognac Blues Festival (France) and the Eutin Blues Fest (Germany). Her original songs have been used in independent films, television shows, and in commercial ads. Hagood Mill Historic Site is proud to have Wanda Johnson perform at this year’s Deep Winter Blues, accompanied by Tico Manley on Lead Guitar from Seneca, SC, and from Greenville, SC, Joe Jones on Bass Guitar, and Tez Sherard on Drums.

This year’s lineup also features Freddie Vanderford, Steve McGaha, Kym MacKinnon, and Bryan Norris & Friends. Freddie Vanderford is a Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award winner and bluesmen. Musical performances run from 11am - 4pm.

Hear the old music that made upstate South Carolina a famous “roots environment” for the
Piedmont Blues…some tunes primitive in nature and others coming from the sweet soul of the
South Carolina bluesmen of long ago.

There will be lots of other things to see on February 18th as Hagood Mill hosts a variety of folklife and traditional-arts demonstrations. The Mill will be running, and the grits will be grinding. Living history demonstrators will have the option to set up at the Heritage Pavilion with the artisan vendors, or to stay in their regular spots at the Historic Site. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions of the artists, gain insight, and if you wish, spend a little money to secure a traditional arts treasure of your own.

There will be an artisan market with a cherry-picked selection of the area's artisans, where you can bring your special Valentine to shop for a unique, handcrafted gift. There will be kids’ activities as well! The Heritage Pavilion is closed in with tarps and will be heated with propane heaters. As always, we encourage visitors to bring their own seating and to bundle up.