Terry “Harmonica” Bean helped Clarksdale celebrate the Fourth of July at Red’s Blues Club Sunday night.
Bean’s aunt, Gladys “Lady Gladys” Kyles, sang with him while he played the guitar.
Bean started off playing the bass as a child growing up in Clarksdale. He grew up listening to musicians such as Sam Carr and Big Jack Johnson.
He attended Clarksdale High School and spent much of his life in his hometown, but lived in Memphis for 10 years until the COVID pandemic. Then he moved back home.
“The pandemic, nobody could work,” Bean said. “I was out of work. Coming back home means my cost of living wouldn’t be so much.”
Bean is glad to be back in Clarksdale.
“This is home,” Bean said. “This is my home base away from home. Anywhere in the world I go, this is always home. Home is home. When you’re at home, you feel comfortable. You feel like you’re amongst family and friends. No matter who is inside, they are all family and friends.”
Bean said playing in front of an audience helps him a lot. He added the occasion always presents itself for him to interact with the audience.
“Entertainment is what I do,” Bean said. “The response that I get from people that I entertain is what makes me want to keep on doing what I do.”
Bean said the COVID pandemic has been tough for musicians.
“That was pretty tough not being able to see my audience and not being able to physically intertwine with my audience,” Bean said. “That was something.”
Bean said things are still a long way from normal, but hopes things are better in the next year.
He played at the Juke Joint Festival in April and said he was impressed with the turnout. He plans to play at the JJF in 2022.
Kyles enjoyed singing with her nephew.
“I’ve been playing with him for years,” Kyles said. “I enjoy it. I’ve been singing ever since ’04 singing the blues. I first started out with the Wesley ‘June Bug’ Jefferson band. It’s great. I love it.”
Kyles said she enjoys the people and atmosphere in the audience. She added everyone in the audience is very friendly.
Bean credited Kyles with helping him become successful.
