Bobby Rush *OLD SHOW*
10-13-2016
There’s no denying that Bobby Rush is a master of the blues, with such fun songs as “Chicken Heads” and “Bowlegged Woman” and viscerally powerful works such as “Another Murder in New Orleans.” Listening to his most recent album, “Porcupine Meat,” it’s clear that this music veteran hasn’t missed a step in his 50-year career. Both his playing and his vocals are as electrifying and appealing as ever.
Bobby has been entertaining audiences around the world for over 50 years. Over the course of his storied career, Rush, who is affectionately known as the "King of the Chitlin' Circuit" has been nominated for three Grammys and has also been nominated for 41 Blues Music Awards, 10 of which he has won. Bobby was so young when he started out, he donned a fake moustache to play in local juke joints in and around Louisiana & Arkansas where he befriended the late, great Elmore James. When his family moved to Chicago his new neighbor was Muddy Waters, and it didn't take long til Bobby was performing on the circuit with Etta James, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed and Muddy. In the early 1970's his self-penned "Chicken Heads" cracked the Billboard R&B charts. Chicken Heads would become Rush's first gold certified record in 1971, and would again enter the Billboard charts 30 years after its release as a result of its feature in the film "Black Snake Moan." His next album to become gold certified would be “Sue” in 1981, and “Ain’t Studdin’ Ya” in 1991. Bobby was the first bluesman to perform at China's Great Wall, earning him the title “International Dean of the Blues.” In 2014 he performed with Dan Aykroyd on The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon. And in 2015, after winning two Blues Music Awards in the 'Soul Blues Male Artist' and 'B.B. King Entertainer of the Year' categories, Bobby Rush was inducted into the Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame in Clarksdale, MS.
Bobby's new album on Rounder Records, "Porcupine Meat," has guest soloists including Joe Bonamassa and Keb' Mo'. The album features all new blues, funk and R&B songs written or co-written by Rush. Produced in New Orleans by Rounder's Grammy-winning VP of A&R, Scott Billington, the album features an all-star band that includes drummer Jeffery "Jellybean" Alexander, bassist Cornell Williams, sousaphone player Kirk Joseph (from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band), keyboardist David Torkanowsky, guitarist Shane Theriot, and Rush's longtime collaborator, guitarist Vasti Jackson.
Bobby Rush remains one of the most creative and vital voices from the original generation of postwar blues artists.
There’s no denying that Bobby Rush is a master of the blues, with such fun songs as “Chicken Heads” and “Bowlegged Woman” and viscerally powerful works such as “Another Murder in New Orleans.” Listening to his most recent album, “Porcupine Meat,” it’s clear that this music veteran hasn’t missed a step in his 50-year career. Both his playing and his vocals are as electrifying and appealing as ever.
Bobby has been entertaining audiences around the world for over 50 years. Over the course of his storied career, Rush, who is affectionately known as the "King of the Chitlin' Circuit" has been nominated for three Grammys and has also been nominated for 41 Blues Music Awards, 10 of which he has won. Bobby was so young when he started out, he donned a fake moustache to play in local juke joints in and around Louisiana & Arkansas where he befriended the late, great Elmore James. When his family moved to Chicago his new neighbor was Muddy Waters, and it didn't take long til Bobby was performing on the circuit with Etta James, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed and Muddy. In the early 1970's his self-penned "Chicken Heads" cracked the Billboard R&B charts. Chicken Heads would become Rush's first gold certified record in 1971, and would again enter the Billboard charts 30 years after its release as a result of its feature in the film "Black Snake Moan." His next album to become gold certified would be “Sue” in 1981, and “Ain’t Studdin’ Ya” in 1991. Bobby was the first bluesman to perform at China's Great Wall, earning him the title “International Dean of the Blues.” In 2014 he performed with Dan Aykroyd on The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon. And in 2015, after winning two Blues Music Awards in the 'Soul Blues Male Artist' and 'B.B. King Entertainer of the Year' categories, Bobby Rush was inducted into the Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame in Clarksdale, MS.
Bobby's new album on Rounder Records, "Porcupine Meat," has guest soloists including Joe Bonamassa and Keb' Mo'. The album features all new blues, funk and R&B songs written or co-written by Rush. Produced in New Orleans by Rounder's Grammy-winning VP of A&R, Scott Billington, the album features an all-star band that includes drummer Jeffery "Jellybean" Alexander, bassist Cornell Williams, sousaphone player Kirk Joseph (from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band), keyboardist David Torkanowsky, guitarist Shane Theriot, and Rush's longtime collaborator, guitarist Vasti Jackson.
Bobby Rush remains one of the most creative and vital voices from the original generation of postwar blues artists.