William R. “Bill” Ferris, a prominent figure in the world of blues, is celebrated for his multifaceted contributions as an author, folklorist, professor, lecturer, and administrator. Born on February 5, 1942, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Ferris has played a pivotal role in documenting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the American South, particularly in the realms of blues, gospel, and storytelling. Ferris initiated his work in the 1960s by recording, photographing, and filming blues musicians, gospel singers, and storytellers in Mississippi. His family’s farm in Vicksburg served as the backdrop for his early documentation efforts. Ferris focused not only on the musical aspects of the artists but delved into the broader context of their lives, folk traditions, and stories, providing a unique and comprehensive perspective on the cultural significance of the music within their communities. Having earned several college degrees, including a PhD in Folklore from the University of Pennsylvania, Ferris embarked on a career as an educator.
He taught at institutions such as Jackson State University and Yale University in the 1970s. Ferris co-founded the Center for Southern Folklore in Memphis and later directed the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi. His involvement in preserving blues history included hosting the “Highway 61” radio show and releasing recordings on the Southern Culture label. Ferris’s contributions extended to the acquisition of Living Blues magazine and significant materials, including B.B. King’s record collection, which formed the core of the Blues Archive at the University of Mississippi. He took on a role at the University of North Carolina in 2002 as a professor and Associate Director of the Center for the Study of the American South. His literary works, notably Blues From the Delta (1970) and Give My Poor Heart Ease: Voices of the Mississippi Blues (2009), showcase his commitment to exploring the social and cultural dimensions of the blues. Ferris’s comprehensive efforts received widespread acclaim, with Blues From the Delta earning recognition as a Classic of Blues Literature by the Blues Hall of Fame in 1998.
One of Ferris’s remarkable achievements is the Dust-to-Digital box set Voices of Mississippi: Artists and Musicians Documented by William Ferris, which won a GRAMMY in 2019. This extensive project includes multi-media presentations featuring live performances from renowned artists like Bobby Rush, Sharde Thomas, and Luther and Cody Dickinson, further solidifying Ferris’s impact on the preservation and celebration of Southern musical heritage.