Photos

This young man is only 29 years old, but he has been drumming the blues almost his entire life. He is the late R. L. Burnside's grandson and the son of North Mississippi drummer Calvin Jackson. He toured with R. L. since the 1990's.

After his granddad's death, Cedric teamed up with south Missouri blues guitarist Lightnin' Malcolm - they've made one disc so far and have another coming out. This photo was captured at the Beale Street Music Festival - Cedric Burnside and Lightnin' Malcolm played many of the cuts from their album "Two Man Wrecking Crew" and others, including a nod to R. L. Burnside (Ole Black Mattie).

It's no secret that I love the blues and I have a special affinity for the raw sounds of North Mississippi. I was not disappointed when this duo came on stage, not one bit. Two Man Wrecking Crew indeed! They made more noise than any of the previous bands of the day and actually were able to drown out the noise coming from the "big" stages behind the Blues Tent. Yeah, it was loud and raw and raucous (this was the only blues band that attracted a large contingent of youth crowding the stage, dancing wildly and being told to move by the ever-vigilant security (yeah right) personnel.

It made me happy to see those youth and the youth of these two musicians. I know that the blues has a future. I shook their hands and thanked them for carrying on with the blues.

Well, I guess I better get this uploaded - there is one hell of a storm rollin' in. What a way to start a Monday!