Tunica, MS
Music connected to Tunica
About Tunica
- • Blues musician Big Jack Johnson was born in Lambert, near Tunica, Mississippi.
- • Tunica is considered the "Gateway to the Blues," a musical genre with deep roots.
- • Casino gambling in the 1990s revitalized Tunica's economy, drawing visitors and jobs.
- • Some areas of Tunica County are closer to Memphis, TN than to the actual town.
- • The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 devastated Tunica, impacting agriculture significantly.
- • Named after the Tunica Native American tribe, it was incorporated in 1888.
- • The population hovers around 1,000, much smaller than its casino visitor count.
- • It sits at 197 feet above sea level, slightly higher than the Mississippi Delta region.
- • Casinos and related hospitality businesses are Tunica's primary economic drivers.
- • The atmosphere is a mix of Southern charm and bustling casino excitement.
- • Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) are the closest pro team, known for their grit-and-grind era.
- • Tunica County is home to several notable high school basketball rivalries.