Ah, yes. Going on Old Highway 61? That would be my choice, were I to really enjoy the spirit of the Mississippi Valley.
As for Arkansas, let’s think a moment:

I’d have for modern music, Blues Travellers, for traditional blues, Muddy Waters, Pinetop Perkins, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday (she is both blues and jazz, one of those great artists whom is a class of her own), Ernie Ford, the yodelling ranger, although he is East Tennessee, many of us of the Delta listened and enjoyed his songs in our day. I’d put some country music in there, some George Jones, Hank Williams Sr. and Jr (Beaucephus). As you get into Arkansas, consider a visit over the bridge to Memphis, TN. There, you can go into Pop Tunes, which is very near the bluff, on Poplar Avenue, right next to the projects where Elvis Presley lived as a young adolescent with his mother. The folks at Pop Tunes will help you to select more music for your stay in Arkansas and for the trip back.

When you’re ready to go back across the bridge, make sure you have your camera, for there are plenty of sights, including the panorama as seen from the bridge. You might consider visiting one of the truck stops, not only for the less expensive fuel than is available in Memphis and St. Louis, but also for the bargain tapes and CDs. Ask some of the truckers and waiteress for suggestions as to what they listen to, and what is good local music.

Well, probably the most famous musician
from Arkansas is undoubtedly Johnny Cash.

If country is your thing, Glen Campbell, Tracey Lawrence, Charlie Rich, and Colin Raye are favorite sons.

Interestingly, enough Scott Joplin
(the King of Ragtime) came from
Texarkana.

And, of course my favorite is from
Little Rock, Amy Lee and Evanescence.

I would strongly recommend checking out the soundtrack to the movie Songcatcher, which is based on the musical history of Arkansas, namely the Ozark mountain region. Any one of these songs is a beautiful reminder of the heritage of that area, featuring old folk songs/ bluegrass. Some of the most beautiful music in my opinion. To find a list of songs, I’d suggest going to amazon.com, or something of the like, and typing in Songcatcher. Good luck in your travels.

Others Arkansas musicians include:
Al Green, Junior Walker, Son Seals, Ronnie Hawkins, Levon Helm, Iris DeMent, KT Oslin, Tracy Lawrence, Frank Frost, William Grant Still, William Warfield, Conway Twitty, Rosetta Tharpe, Roberta Martin, Billy Lee Riley, Sonny Burgess, Pharoah Sanders, Junior Wells, Detroit Junior, Sonny Boy Williamson II (Helena, Ar), Robert Nighthawk, Roosevelt Sykes, Robert Lockwood, Art Porter-Jr. and Sr., Red Holloway, Jimmy Witherspoon, Louis Jordan, Bee Bumble and the Stingers, CeDell Davis, Sleepy LaBeef, Lefty Frizzell, Narvel Felts, Frances Greer, Sam Carr, Willie Big Eyes Smith, George Harmonica Smith, Calvin Frazier, Calvin Leavy, Black Oak Arkansas, Buddy Jewell, Jimmy Driftwood, Lee Hayes, Hosea Leavy, Mary Lane, Taildragger, Shirley Brown, Shirley King, Michael Burks, Larry McCray, Fred Tackett, Jimmy Thackery (ARK resident)...Wayne Jackson of the Memphis Horns,...