Several years ago, I was driving through the Mississippi cotton fields looking for juke joints. I wanted to hear some true Delta blues.

When I pulled into the teeny town of Indianola, I got a real surprise. Pulling up at the same time was the ultimate bluesman – B.B. King himself. Turns out that Indianola is King’s hometown, the place where he is honored with a fascinating museum. He stopped by there every once in a while.

Just happened to be my lucky day to meet him.

On May 14, the world mourned the loss of the blues legend who died at age 89.

But his music will live on in the many songs he recorded, the musicians he influenced and the clubs where his music is played, including the B.B. Blues Clubs on Holland America Line cruise ships.

In partnership with B.B. King’s Blues Club, Holland America Line will continue offering the B.B. King Blues Club experience on seven ships – ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Westerdam, ms Zuiderdam, ms Oosterdam and ms Rotterdam. It also will launch with ms Koningsdam in spring 2016.

In the cruise ship clubs, the B.B. King All-Star Band – an eight-piece group featuring two vocalists backed by rhythm and horn sections — brings the best of Memphis music to sea. From funky and fast to soulful and smooth, the band performs six nights a week in the Queen’s Lounge or Crow’s Nest.

“From the moment we introduced B.B. King’s Blues Clubs, they became an instant hit and guest favorite,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “We’re excited to make it a permanent feature on our newest ship.”

Story and photo by Jackie Sheckler Finch