WDAM - Channel 7 - Serving Hattiesburg, Laurel and the Pine BeltBill seeks to help Mississippi bluesmen
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Associated Press - March 4, 2010 2:44 PM ET
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi's blues artists have an international following for their soulful music born out of the hardships of the South's old plantation system, but for many of them, it's not a lucrative career.
The Mississippi Legislature has passed a bill lawmakers hope will lead to financial assistance for the performers they say contribute to the state's musical heritage.
The bill allows the Mississippi Blues Commission to raise private funding for struggling musicians. The bill amends the 2004 law that created the commission, which is charged with promoting the state's blues heritage.
The bill passed the Senate this week, but was held for more debate.
The bill is House Bill 1160.
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