Blues series to feature Kent Burnside
The “Blues By Budweiser” concert series will feature Kent Burnside at 8 p.m. June 1 at RJ’s Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St. The doors open at 7 p.m. Port City Blues Society members are admitted free. General admission is $5. The concert series is sponsored by MK Distributors.
Burnside was born in 1971 in Memphis and spent his early years in Holly Springs, Miss.. He is the oldest grandson and one of the closest pupils of the legendary R.L. Burnside, according to a news release.
Kent Burnside first heard the blues while watching his grandfather perform on the family farm to the locals. He used to sell sandwiches to audience members for a dollar a piece during these performances. The first lesson R.L. Burnside taught Kent Burnside was that to be a bluesman you have to find your own rhythm on the guitar.
Kent Burnside got his start in the music business playing with Jimbo Mathus (Fat Possum Records) and going on tour with Buddy Guy in the early 2000’s. That was when he started developing his signature style of blues: dark, hypnotic, inviting and very danceable.
He performed for Samuel L. Jackson to help Jackson prepare for his role in Black Snake Moan (2007). He has also worked on The Blues Brothers’ stage shows with Dan Aykroyd. Aykroyd is a huge fan and supporter of Kent Burnside’s work.
He spent decades performing at festivals and has toured all over the world. He has performed at the Blues Rules Festival in Switzerland, and played a two week tour of Australia with The New Savages.
Kent Burnside regularly performs at festivals around the U.S. with The Flood Brothers. Details: Port City Blues Society at pc-blues.com or facebook.com/PCBluesSociety.