Legendary actor Morgan Freeman celebrated New Year’s Eve in style, surprising a packed crowd at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi, with an unforgettable performance alongside soul music icon Al Green.
Freeman, who co-owns the famous blues club, joined Green on stage for a rendition of the classic hit Let’s Stay Together.
Morgan Freeman got on stage to make his “dream come true.” He said it was to sing with Al Green 😂 pic.twitter.com/gLzFlkX2F9
— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) January 1, 2025
The Ground Zero Blues Club, co-founded by Freeman in 2001, has become a hub for authentic blues music, providing a platform for emerging and seasoned artists. Once an abandoned building, the club now stands as a musical landmark.
Adding to the night’s excitement, CNN’s Omar Jimenez was on-site to interview Freeman and experience the blues culture firsthand. Jimenez shared his unforgettable encounter on social media:
“I showed up to Morgan Freeman’s Mississippi blues club for an interview. Next thing I know he’s got me on stage doing live TV with the band 😂,” he posted on X.
During the interview, Freeman reflected on the origins of the club. He recounted how a chance encounter with visitors seeking live blues music inspired him and his business partner, former Clarksdale mayor and lawyer Bill Luckett, to create a dedicated space for blues enthusiasts.
“They said, we’re looking for someplace to hear some blues. Well, we don’t really have a place for that,” Freeman explained. “A decision was made right then: Gotta have a blues club here.”
From its humble beginnings, Ground Zero Blues Club has become a cornerstone of Clarksdale’s vibrant music scene, attracting visitors from around the world and honoring the legacy of blues legends like Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.
“Talking blues, Mississippi, and bringing it all to life with my friend (I’m calling him a friend) Morgan Freeman. He co-owns this blues club which, until him and others, was just an abandoned building for decades. Clarksdale is considered by many to be the birthplace of blues,” Jimenez summed up his experience.
Photo Credit: X – OmarJimenez
