In a moment that perfectly captured the heart of America’s cultural heritage, legendary actor Morgan Freeman, 87, and R&B icon Al Green, 78, joined forces on New Year’s Eve for an unforgettable duet of Green’s classic hit, *Let’s Stay Together.*
The performance took place at Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi—a venue the Oscar-winning actor co-founded to preserve and celebrate the roots of blues music. The crowd, a mix of locals and visitors, erupted in applause as Freeman’s deep, resonant voice blended with Green’s timeless soul.
The club shared a clip of the performance on Instagram, appropriately captioning it, “Morgan Freeman & Al Green LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!” The post quickly garnered attention, with Green himself chiming in with a celebratory emoji.
Freeman later reflected on the evening in a social media post, sharing photos from the event and writing, “We ushered in the New Year with Al Green and Kingfish at Ground Zero last night. Happy New Year, everyone!”
CNN reporter Omar Jimenez, who was on the scene, captured the magic in a video clip, adding that Freeman described the duet as fulfilling a lifelong dream. “Morgan Freeman got on stage to make his ‘dream come true.’ He said it was to sing with Al Green,” Jimenez wrote.
In a live interview with CNN during the festivities, Freeman recounted the origins of his blues club, which he co-founded in 2001 to revitalize Clarksdale’s musical heritage. After visiting the town and discovering a lack of reliable venues for blues music, Freeman took it upon himself to fill the gap.
“We didn’t really have ’em. Didn’t exist,” Freeman recalled being told by Clarksdale’s mayor at the time. “So the decision was made right then—you got to have a blues club. We got to do something.”
With co-owners Eric Meier, Howard Stovall, and the late Bill Luckett, Freeman established Ground Zero Blues Club as a tribute to the area’s rich blues legacy and a platform for its continuation.
Clarksdale, often referred to as the birthplace of blues, has long been a cultural landmark. Freeman’s club has become a beacon for preserving this uniquely American art form, drawing both renowned musicians and everyday fans.
Freeman’s commitment to the arts extends beyond blues. In September 2024, he honored his close friend and fellow Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood, 94, at the Monterey Jazz Festival in California. Presenting Eastwood with the inaugural Clint Eastwood Award for Cultural Leadership, Freeman praised his friend as a “true musician: pianist, composer, and a jazz aficionado.”
Freeman’s dedication to America’s cultural heritage—whether through blues or jazz—highlights a broader commitment to preserving the traditions that define the nation’s artistic identity. His duet with Al Green wasn’t just a performance; it was a celebration of America’s enduring cultural legacy, brought to life by two legends who understand the power of music to unite and inspire.
As the New Year begins, Freeman’s message resonates: staying true to one’s roots, celebrating heritage, and bringing people together through art and music is as vital now as ever.
