Juke festival boosts sales for blues bars
Clarksdale's music festival helps keep local joints in the black.
(FORTUNE Small Business) -- The blues are sometimes said to have spread from a single crossroads in Clarksdale, Miss. This month, fans celebrate the uniquely American art form at the city's annual Juke Joint Festival, which opens on Saturday.
"I've been meeting people from all over the world," says Red Paden, owner of Clarksdale's infamous Red's Lounge, one of ten venues at the festival.
Red's is a favored destination among locals and tourists alike, including acolytes Robert Plant and Morgan Freeman (who also owns a joint nearby).
"It brings money to town," says Paden, who sees a 25% bump in sales during the shows. 
