Columbia celebrates Drink Small, ‘an absolute legend’

Columbia blues musician Drink Small, also known as “The Blues Doctor,” recently was named a National

Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Thursday, the city will come together to celebrate the honor, the highest one in the nation given to traditional and folk artists.

The city of Columbia has declared Thursday “Drink Small Day” and has collaborated with the S.C. Arts Commission, McKissick Musuem at USC and Tapp’s Art Center to hold a celebration of the musician that night.

The drop-in will be from 5:30-7 p.m. at Tapp’s Art Center. Ken May, director of the S.C. Arts Commission, will speak, and Mayor Steve Benjamin will read a proclamation.

“Drink Small is an absolute legend,” Benjamin said. “His work across multiple genres has influenced countless musicians and artist over the years and continues to do so today. We’re proud not only to recognize and congratulate his many accomplishments, but also to join him in celebrating this next chapter in his remarkable life and career.”

Doug Peach, the South Carolina Folklife and Traditional Arts Program Director at McKissick Museum, said the drop-in celebration was scheduled to take place before Small travels to Washington, D.C., in October for the awards ceremony so that local fans and friends can celebrate with him.

“This is absolutely a celebration of him winning the National Heritage Fellowship,” Peach said. “It’s the highest honor for folk artists, and there are only a handful of other artists from South Carolina who have received it.”

The celebration is free and open to the public. DJ Preach Jacobs will play blues and related music. A cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be available.

Tapp’s Art Center is at 1644 Main St. in downtown Columbia.

Bridget Winston, Special to The State

This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 9:24 PM with the headline "Columbia celebrates Drink Small, ‘an absolute legend’."