When making your travel plans, keep these thoughts in mind:

-- Many Blues events are planned for the Delta in the days before and after the Blues Music Awards. For the latest schedule, click here;

-- Most air travel will still be through Memphis International Airport, about one-half hour from Tunica;

-- Shuttle service is available from Memphis International airport to the Grand Casino's Veranda Hotel in Tunica, MS (see below);

-- You may choose to rent a car to have the greatest flexibility to take advantage of what the Delta has to offer.

HOTEL:The host hotel for the 2008 Blues Music Awards will be the Verandah, part of the Grand Casino Resort, in Tunica, MS. Special $79.00 guest rates apply to those attending the 2008 Blues Music Awards. That rate applies to Wednesday and Thursday. If you wish to stay Friday and Saturday, the rate will be $129. That offer is supposed to expire April 15, 2008.

You can reserve online for Wednesday, May 7 and/or Thursday, May 8. If you wish to stay before or after those dates, you may NOT reserve those additional dates online so you may wish to make reservations for your entire stay by phone.

To reserve by phone call 800-394-7263. The Code is S 05 BLUE

To reserve online click here.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE: Blues Foundation Partner Alonzo Grant and his Tennco Express will be providing a shuttle service between Memphis International Airport and the Grand Casino and Resort's Verandah hotel on Wednesday, May 7, Thursday, May 8 and Friday, May 9. There will be no charge for this service. If you wish to use this service, please contact them directly at 901.522.0001 or 901.859.8377. You can visit their website as well at www.tenncoexpress.com.

Of course, you may also contract with them to take you and your group to Tunica without waiting for the free shuttle.

Blues fans wishing to head to Clarksdale can contact Blues City Tours online or by calling 901-522-9229. Price from Tunica to Clarksdale will be $20 round trip.

In addition, people who need a ride back to the Memphis airport on Saturday and Sunday, you can arrange with Blues City as well for $35. Tennco is offering a price of $40 for one person but it is $25 for two or more persons.

In addition, Blues fans can be assured that many additional events will be scheduled in the area on the weekend after the official Blues Foundation events. For example, before you book your flight or hotel, make it a point before or after the event on May 8, to introduce yourself to everything that makes Mississippi one of the most special places you will ever visit. There simply is no other place quite like Mississippi. Once you have spent time here, you will want to come back often.

Travel along the Mississippi Blues Trail. Walk where they walked. Dance where they danced. Experience the blues where they were born. Come on an unforgettable journey and follow the Mississippi Blues trail, from street corners where blues musicians played for tips to places they called home and event to their final resting places.

Point your browser to www.msbluestrail.org and start planning your authentic experience now.