Blues legend Bobby Rush is in Pine Bluff for two performances Sunday evening at RJ’s Grill & Bar in collaboration with the Port City Blues Society. The Port City Blues Players will open both shows, followed by Rush and his band. After each performance, Rush is expected to greet and visit with concertgoers.
In 2019, a portion of Third Avenue was officially designated “Bobby Rush Way” in recognition of his musical accomplishments and strong ties to the community. That same year, he was named an honorary lifetime member of the Port City Blues Society, which is based in Pine Bluff and affiliated with The Blues Foundation.
Known worldwide as the “King of the Chitlin’ Circuit,” Rush has built a career spanning more than seven decades. He has earned multiple Blues Music Awards, three Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2006. The Arkansas House of Representatives has also passed a resolution honoring his contributions to music.
Born Emmett Ellis Jr., Rush moved with his family to the Pine Bluff area around 1947. As a teenager, he performed in local juke joints such as Nappy’s and Jitterbugs, sometimes wearing a fake mustache to appear older. During his time in Pine Bluff, he formed early friendships with blues greats including Elmore James, Boyd Gilmore and pianist Johnny “Big Moose” Walker.
After relocating to Chicago in the early 1950s, Rush worked with legendary artists including Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Albert King. His first major commercial success came in the early 1970s with the Billboard R&B hit “Chicken Heads,” which reached No. 34. He later released his first full album, Rush Hour, in 1979, which featured another hit, “I Wanna Do the Do.”
Rush has recorded dozens of albums and developed a loyal fan base nationally and internationally. His album Raw earned him the Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year award in 2007, while Hoochie Momma received a Grammy nomination in 2001. His 2016 release Porcupine Meat won a Grammy the following year.
Rush sat down with Deltaplex News Saturday evening to discuss Sunday night’s shows and his continued connection to Pine Bluff.
He mentioned that he has been recording for over 70 years and has put out over 400 albums during his career.
Rush’s most recent project is a collaborative tour and album with guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd titled Young Fashioned Ways, which earned Rush his eighth Grammy nomination.
He spoke about working with Shepherd, saying fans can expect more music from the duo in the future.
He also collaborated with Joe Bonamassa on a tribute project honoring the late B.B. King.
Rush concluded the interview by sharing a message with his fans in the Pine Bluff area about Sunday night’s performances.
