Jarekus Singleton to Open for Blues Traveler at Delta Hot Tamale Festival

Jarekus Singleton

The Delta Hot Tamale Festival is turning up the heat this year with a powerhouse musical lineup. Clinton, Mississippi native and internationally recognized blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Jarekus Singleton will take the Main Stage presented by Regions Bank at 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 18, 2025, just before legendary headliners Blues Traveler electrify downtown Greenville. 

Hailed by USA Today as a “major new talent” and praised by The Washington Post for his “strong, original voice” and “deeply mature lyrics,” Singleton is one of the most exciting and visionary artists of his generation. His style, which is infused with searing guitar work, poetic songwriting, and a fearless blend of blues, rock, and funk, has been described by Living Blues as “a winning blend of modern-day blues and emotionally intense soul”. 

Since releasing his Alligator Records debut album Refuse to Lose in 2014 (which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Blues Album chart), Singleton has been featured at major festivals across the U.S. and Canada, including the Chicago Blues Festival, Springing the Blues Festival, and Festival International du Blues de Mont-Tremblant. His song “High Minded” was named one of the Clarion Ledger’s Top 25 Essential Mississippi Delta Blues Songs, and his music has been featured on SiriusXM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville and in the hit Netflix series Bloodline. 

Singleton’s career is also marked by an impressive list of awards: 

Mississippi Blues Trail Marker honoree (2023) in his hometown of Clinton 

Jackson Music Awards Blues Artist of the Year (2012) and Local Entertainer of the Year (2013) Three-time Blues Music Award nominee 

Festival-goers can expect a high-energy, soul-stirring performance from Singleton, whose music bridges generations while pushing the boundaries of the blues tradition. 

Now in its 14th year, the Delta Hot Tamale Festival has become one of Mississippi’s most celebrated cultural events, drawing more than 30,000 visitors each year. Recognized by USA Today as one of the Top Specialty Food Festivals in the U.S. and repeatedly awarded Best Fall Festival in Mississippi by Mississippi Magazine, the event showcases the unique heritage of the Mississippi Delta. 

Festivities begin on Thursday night with a ticketed Welcome Dinner, followed by Food Truck Friday, which pairs lunchtime favorites with live music and a Friday evening concert headlined by Mississippi native Ryan Cooper. The main festival day on Saturday kicks off at 9:00 AM with a parade through downtown Greenville and continues with arts and crafts vendors, tamale and food vendors from across the region, live music on two stages, a tamale cooking contest, and the ever-popular tamale eating contest. Produced by Main Street Greenville, a program of the Greater Greenville Development Foundation, the Delta Hot Tamale Festival has earned national attention for its blend of food, music, and community pride. 

Festival armbands are just $5 for entry and can be purchased at designated entry points during the event.