R.L. Burnside

Biography

R.L. Burnside (November 23, 1926 – September 1, 2005) was a pivotal figure in the North Mississippi hill country blues tradition, renowned for his raw, rhythmic guitar style and deeply expressive vocals. Born in the Blackwater Creek area of Harmontown, Mississippi, Burnside grew up immersed in the rural musical culture of the region, learning guitar from local legends and developing a style distinct from the Delta blues. He spent much of his early life working as a sharecropper, tractor driver, and fisherman, playing music at local juke joints and family gatherings, often with his sons and extended family.

Burnside's first recordings were made in the late 1960s by folklorist George Mitchell, but he remained largely unknown outside Mississippi until the 1990s. His career took off after signing with Fat Possum Records, which introduced his music to a broader audience through innovative collaborations and marketing. Albums like 'Bad Luck City' (1993), 'Too Bad Jim' (1994), and 'A Ass Pocket of Whiskey' (1996, with Jon Spencer Blues Explosion) showcased his hypnotic, groove-based blues and brought him international acclaim. Burnside toured extensively, often accompanied by his grandson Cedric Burnside on drums and his 'adopted son' Kenny Brown on guitar, helping to popularize the hill country blues style worldwide.

Burnside's legacy endures through his recordings and the musical careers of his family members, many of whom continue to perform and record in his tradition. He was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2014 and is celebrated for bridging traditional blues with modern influences, inspiring a new generation of musicians and fans.

Fun Facts

• Burnside operated a juke joint out of his home with his wife Alice, hosting local musicians and parties.
• He supplemented his income as a farmer and fisherman by selling moonshine and gambling at juke joints.
• One of his tracks, 'It's Bad You Know,' was featured on the soundtrack of the TV series The Sopranos.
• Burnside did not achieve widespread fame until his late 60s, after decades as a local musician.

Associated Acts

• R.L. Burnside & The Sound Machine

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Mississippi Fred McDowell - Neighbor and primary musical influence; taught Burnside guitar and shaped his rhythmic style. (General influence, not specific albums.) [1950s-1960s]
• Ranie Burnette - Local guitarist who influenced Burnside's playing. (General influence.) [1950s-1960s]
• John Lee Hooker - Stylistic inspiration; Burnside played Hooker's songs and adopted elements of his sound. (General influence.) [1960s onward]

Key Collaborators

• Kenny Brown - Longtime second guitarist and 'adopted son'; toured and recorded extensively with Burnside. (Too Bad Jim, A Ass Pocket of Whiskey, Mr. Wizard) [1990s-2000s]
• Cedric Burnside - Grandson and drummer; performed and recorded with Burnside in his later career. (A Ass Pocket of Whiskey, Mr. Wizard, live performances) [1990s-2000s]
• Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Alternative rock band; collaborated on 'A Ass Pocket of Whiskey', blending blues with modern rock. (A Ass Pocket of Whiskey)
• Junior Kimbrough - Friend and fellow North Mississippi blues musician; performed together at Kimbrough's juke joint. (Live performances, Deep Blues documentary) [1990s]
• Sound Machine - Family band including sons Joseph, Daniel, and son-in-law Calvin Jackson. (Sound Machine Groove) [1970s-1980s]

Artists Influenced

• Cedric Burnside - Grandson; continues the hill country blues tradition as a drummer and solo artist. (Cedric Burnside Project, solo albums) [2000s-present]
• Duwayne Burnside - Son; guitarist and singer carrying on Burnside's musical legacy. (Solo albums, collaborations with North Mississippi Allstars) [2000s-present]
• North Mississippi Allstars - Band inspired by Burnside's style; collaborated with his family and covered his songs. (Shake Hands with Shorty, collaborations with Burnside family) [2000s-present]
• Modern blues and rock musicians - Artists influenced by Burnside's hypnotic groove and fusion of blues with contemporary styles. (Various covers and stylistic tributes.) [1990s-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Someday Baby (A Bothered Mind)
2. Let My Baby Ride (Come on In)
3. It's Bad You Know (Come on In)
4. Goin' Down South (A Bothered Mind)
5. Bad Luck City (Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down)
6. Jumper Hanging Out On the Line (Mississippi Blues)
7. Shuck Dub (Come on In)
8. Glory Be (A Bothered Mind)
9. Goin' Away Baby (A Bothered Mind)
10. Shake 'Em on Down (Too Bad Jim)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #blues, #delta-blues, #electric-blues