The blues has brought two Australian radio hosts halfway around the world to Vicksburg.

Hamish Blake and Andy Lee of The Hamish & Andy Show in Melbourn are on their Caravan of Courage tour, which is taking them — by camper — across America. The comedy duo stopped in Vicksburg Thursday and, each day, have broadcast their experiences, live, back to their homeland.

While it’s not the duo’s first time in the States, it’s their first time in the South.

“Everyone here is so lovely,” said Lee. “We’ve definitely gotten the Southern hospitality.”

Blake added, “We come from the Australian equivalent of the South. It feels very much like home — just the American version.”

While in Vicksburg Thursday, the two learned a little bit about the blues from local musician Kind Edward, who has been strumming his guitar since 1958. He is the lead guitarist for the Central Mississippi Blues Society Band, which performs across the state.

After a quick lesson, Blake and Lee tried singing their own version during a King Edward set at LD’s Kitchen.

The Vicksburg Blues Society and Heritage League hosted the Aussies and their production crew during their one-day stay. Producers of The Hamish & Andy Show contacted Waring about filming the blues segment of the show in Vicksburg, 

“This is an example of our opportunity because Vicksburg is definitely a big part of the Mississippi blues culture that we’re so proud of,” said Shirley Waring of the Vicksburg Heritage League.

Blake and Lee began their U.S. adventure in Miami last week and have traveled west since, visiting towns in Georgia and Alabama before reaching Vicksburg. The pair continued west to Oklahoma City on Friday, with plans of participating in a rodeo. They will end their journey in Los Angeles next week.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchan@vicksburgpost.com