Who Is... Cedric Burnside

Meet the American bluesman following in grandpa’s footsteps.

Describe your sound in a sentence.

It’s very unorthodox. A lot of people say it don’t make any sense… They’re probably right. It’s different from anything you’ve ever heard. When did you first realise you wanted to be a musician?

Music has been a part of my family as long as I can remember. As a child I used to sit and watch my family play music on raggedy amps and beat-up drums. I was fascinated, and wanted to do it so bad! My gut just said: “You’re gonna do that.” I knew I wanted to do that for the rest of my life. What were the first records and/or bands you really fell in love with?

My Big Daddy (RL Burnside) used to do house parties every other weekend. At five or six years old I was one of several grandkids that used to sit there listening to the music and watching. That’s honestly the first music I remember. Has that big surname of yours put much pressure on you?

I want to make my mark while I’m on this earth. That’s what I’m trying to do. But as I do that, I want to not forget where I come from and where I learned it from, which is RL Burnside. I give thanks to Big Daddy every day. Let’s talk influences. Who are your go-to guitar heroes?

My Big Daddy! Junior Kimbrough. Muddy Waters. Luther Dickinson. Who would you say has the best voices in rock’n’roll?

Muddy had a great voice too. We just cut our new record at Royal Studios in Memphis, so I can’t leave out the great Al Green. What are the defining moments in your musical life so far?

Getting a Grammy nomination was pretty incredible. Getting a second one made me feel like people really appreciated what I do. That’s a nice feeling. When gigs can finally take place again, what can people expect from a Cedric Burnside show?

They are definitely going to get authentic Hill Country blues with great energy. I’ve recently recorded a new album, so they’ll hear some new music. Either way, I just hope they’re ready to dance. What can you do besides music?