Our Story

No matter what you call it—Old Man River, The Big Muddy, or The Gathering Waters— the Mississippi River will fill your mind with wonder, your heart with splendor, and your soul with music. That’s what happened to Tracy and Amy.

Tracy and Amy Alderson-Allen grew up in El Dorado, Arkansas, with Southern Arkansas roots going back generations. In 2020, the couple became empty nesters and decided to reinvent their life and find a new passion. They started hunting for a small tourist town where Amy could play her music, and a walkable, historic city for Tracy. They began traveling and scouting communities on the East Coast. That all changed one day when a friend said, “I met the ‘Biscuit Queen’ and went to the most fun cooking class in Natchez, Mississippi.”

With a love of adventure, Tracy and Amy loaded up a car with their closest friends and headed to Natchez for a fun weekend with Chef Regina Charbonneau and her Saturday Brunch and Biscuit class. After a few glasses of Champagne and the most delectable meal of biscuits, French omelets, and shrimp and grits with smoked tomato cream sauce, they wanted to learn more. The two traveled on the American Empress with Regina, the Culinary Ambassador of American Queen Voyages, on an unforgettable cruise from Spokane to Portland on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Regina touted the fantastic things going on in Natchez and encouraged the couple to consider the city as a place to work and call home. The following week, Tracy, Amy, Regina, and her husband Doug began the hunt for the perfect venue.  

Tracy and Amy were sold on Natchez and the property at 411 North Commerce; however, there was one piece missing in making the concept come to life. That final piece was Tracy’s childhood friend, Andrea, owner of Andrea Brooks Interiors. The three combined their love of travel, music, original art, and refined design to create the Big Muddy Inn and Blues Room.