cedric Burnside

Biography

Cedric Burnside, born August 26, 1978, in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in North Mississippi’s Marshall and Benton Counties, is a celebrated American blues drummer, guitarist, singer, and songwriter. As the grandson of Hill Country blues legend R.L. Burnside and son of drummer Calvin Jackson, Cedric was immersed in the region’s musical traditions from an early age. He began playing drums on household objects before receiving his first drum set from his grandfather at age twelve. By thirteen, he was touring internationally as the drummer in R.L. Burnside’s band, absorbing the nuances of the North Mississippi Hill Country blues style at juke joints and house parties across the South.[1][2][3][4][5]

Burnside’s career has spanned over three decades, during which he has become a pivotal figure in preserving and evolving the Hill Country blues tradition. He is known for his polyrhythmic percussion, hypnotic guitar riffs, and a vocal style that channels both ancestral blues stories and contemporary experiences. Cedric has released multiple solo and collaborative albums, including the Grammy-nominated 'Descendants of Hill Country' and 'Benton County Relic.' His 2021 album, 'I Be Trying,' further cements his reputation as a torchbearer and innovator, blending traditional blues with elements of funk, rock, soul, and hip-hop.[2][4]

Burnside’s music is deeply rooted in the Black American experience of the South, honoring the legacy of his forebears while pushing the genre forward for new generations. He has won numerous Blues Music Awards, including Best New Artist Debut and Best Instrumentalist for drums, and continues to inspire and mentor emerging artists, ensuring the vitality of the Hill Country blues for years to come.[1][2][5]

Fun Facts

• Cedric began touring internationally as a professional musician at just 13 years old, playing drums for his grandfather R.L. Burnside.[1][2]
• He appeared in the film 'Black Snake Moan,' which was dedicated to R.L. Burnside’s memory.[1]
• Cedric is a multi-instrumentalist, equally acclaimed for his drumming and his guitar work, often performing both roles in recordings and live shows.[2][4]
• He draws inspiration not only from blues but also from funk, rock, soul, and hip-hop, reflecting the diverse musical environment of his upbringing.[4][9]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• R.L. Burnside - Grandfather and primary musical mentor; taught Cedric the Hill Country blues tradition and took him on tour from age 13. (Performed together in R.L. Burnside's band; various live recordings and albums.) [Early 1990s–2005]

Key Collaborators

• Lightnin’ Malcolm - Formed the Juke Joint Duo, touring and recording together extensively. (Albums such as 'Two Man Wrecking Crew'; live performances as Juke Joint Duo.) [Mid-2000s–2010s]
• North Mississippi Allstars - Frequent collaborator, both live and in studio. (Collaborative performances and recordings.) [2000s–present]
• Bobby Rush - Collaborated as a drummer and performer. (Live performances and session work.) [2000s–present]

Artists Influenced

• Sharde Thomas - Granddaughter of Otha Turner and a younger Hill Country blues artist inspired by Cedric’s work and mentorship. (Performances at Hill Country blues festivals.) [2010s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Wang Dang Doodle (Sinners (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
2. We Made It (Benton County Relic)
3. Step In (I Be Trying)
4. Catfish (Catfish)
5. Shake Em On Down (Hill Country Love)
6. Juke Joint (Hill Country Love)
7. Please Tell Me Baby (Benton County Relic)
8. Out on the Road (Up and Rolling)
9. Funky (Hill Country Love)
10. Hill Country Love (Hill Country Love)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia