Barretta has edited two roots music magazines, “Jefferson” (in Sweden) and “Living Blues” (University of Mississippi) and is working on a sociology dissertation on blues revivalism. He hosts the MPB radio show “Highway 61,” writes a weekly roots music column for the Clarion-Ledger newspaper, is writing historic marker text for the forthcoming Mississippi Blues Trail and is head content consultant for the B.B. King Museum and Delta Cultural Center. He has taught blues courses at the University of Mississippi and Millsaps College.