Since 1984, Highway 61, has given Mississippi a chance to host and promote its own talent. While focusing on Mississippi talents, Highway 61 brings a complete lineup of blues artists both young and old to the listening public every week.

In its 20 years on the air, Highway 61 has had a colorful lineup of hosts. In 1984, the show was first hosted by Mississippi Public Broadcasting's (formerly Public Radio in Mississippi) Steven Brull. When Brull left the show to continue his education, former director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and internationally known blues scholar Bill Ferris became host. Ferris served for nearly a decade as "The Blues Doctor." He later handed the mike over to "The Shade Tree Mechanic" David Nelson, a long-term engineer and programmer of the show and a past editor of Living Blues magazine. In April 2002, D. Allan Mitchell followed Nelson as Highway 61´s host and remained so until April 2005.

Produced today by the University of Mississippi Center for Media Production, Highway 61 is now under the direction of Scott Barretta. Fans and scholars of the blues will recognize Barretta as the former editor of Living Blues and Jefferson, two of the most prolific publications in the blues world. The other recent addition to the show is Nathan Provence, who joined Highway 61 in 2004 as producer and chief engineer.