On April 25, Bobby Rush and his band came to Fordyce to perform at the 43rd annual Cotton Belt Festival. Prior to his set that day, he got a tour of the historic 1908 vintage A.B. Banks Building at 300 Main St. in Fordyce.
Upon seeing the structure with its high ceilings, massive windows, tall oaken doors, stone pediments, marble column and domed roof, the three-time Grammy Award winner said, “I’m going to come back here for my birthday party in November.”
The venue owner agreed.
The majestic building currently known as the “300 Club” because of its location on 300 Main is often referred to as “the crown jewel of Fordyce.”
Calling on the assistance of some Pine Bluff event coordinators with a wealth of experience in musical celebrations, plans began to develop for the “Bobby Rush 91st Birthday Bash.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Rosie Pettigrew’s RJ’s Sports Grill & Bar participated. Port City Blues Society founding member Dave Sadler emcees the events at RJ’s. They brought their expertise into play helping pull the big event together.
Pettigrew handled a myriad of details while Sadler posted the event on Port City’s Facebook page, printed posters and brought together his fellow Port City Blues Players to act as Rush’s backup band for the night.
Rush was the headlining act for this year’s 37th annual King Biscuit Blues Fest on Oct. 12. While enjoying a few minutes of rest from his busy schedule, he autographed a number of the birthday bash posters that day to have ready for the event in Fordyce.
On Nov. 9, Rush and his band played a sold-out show in St. Louis. Leaving his bandmates to make their way back home without him, Rush, entertainer Ms. Lowe and his brother Larry Ellis drove all night to arrive in south Arkansas for his 6 p.m. birthday party.
Before their evening appearance in downtown Fordyce, the trio enjoyed a chicken and dressing lunch and spent the afternoon catnapping between an unending string of birthday phone calls and texts from well-wishers all over the world.
In addition to Port City Blues Players, Wabbaseka native-son Billy Jeter and his Shine Eye Band volunteered to kick-off the entertainment with songs from his latest long-play record release titled “Delta Traces,” on which Rush plays harmonica. The well-received record immediately went to No. 1 on the folk music charts.
At mid-afternoon Sunday, the bands began arriving to set up their equipment and instruments. As the sun slowly set and a warm afternoon turned to cool evening, two dozen musicians milled around on the sidewalk before the doors opened at 5 p.m.
Local baker Austin Morris provided a large chocolate birthday cake, in the shape of a guitar, for the special day while S&S Good Eats food truck parked next to the sidewalk. Steve and Sonya Shrum provided fried catfish, burgers, hot dogs, chili and soft drinks for hungry attendees.
The crowd drifted in over the course of the next hour, filling 100 chairs until an overflow audience of more than 150 folks spilled out on the sidewalk in lawn chairs and benches. In a scene not often found these days, the entire length of Fordyce’s Main Street was lined with automobiles from one end to the other.
Jeter’s band launched the music beginning at 6 p.m., while the guest of honor took in the festivities. When Jeter wrapped up the first set, the house sang happy birthday to the living blues legend.
Rush took the microphone and worked the crowded room, playing harmonica and sharing stories of his life and career.
One member of the audience said, “There’s nothing 91-years-old about that cat.”
Following Rush regaling the audience with his humor and charm, the Port City Blues Players picked up the baton, carrying the evening to the finish line.
Mark Shea and Betsy Heartfield said they drove 1,100 miles from Vero Beach, Fla., for the celebration. Others drove in from New Orleans and from all over Arkansas.
Rush shared that during the course of the evening he learned how one of the audience members was an unknown cousin of his.
“We didn’t know we were kin until we got to talking and found out how close we are on my mother’s side,” Rush said.
He went on to say, “I want to thank all you guys for this chance to share my birthday with you and for all the love and respect I feel here tonight. You are so kind to do this for me and I’ll never forget today. Let’s do it again!”
Jeter said of the evening, “It was honest to goodness the pinnacle of my music experience. It was a fantastic room full of people who love the blues and who respect the man and his music. It was an honor to be part of my friend and fellow Jefferson County musician Bobby Rush’s birthday celebration.”
Jeter further shared how Rush told him that after Thanksgiving, he wants to get with him and write a song together.
Local businesses that helped support the event included: Broad Reach Realty, Milton Insurance, KBJT/KQEW radio, The Jewelry Box, Shelter Insurance of Fordyce, FBT Bank & Mortgage, The Tobacco Station, Holt Builder’s Supply, Days Inn of Fordyce, Watson Pharmacy, The Travel Center, Freer Trucking and Spartan of Fordyce.
Pine Bluff’s Port City Blues Players and friends provided backup accompaniment for Bobby Rush during his 91st birthday party at Fordyce’s 300 Club. From left, participants were Roscow Willis, Dave Sadler, Detroit Johnny Johnson, Jerry McCoy, Bobby Rush, Pops Cooper, Mark Morgan, Larry Ellis and Lex Capraitalia in front. (Special to The Commercial/Richard Ledbetter)
Bobby Rush, celebrating his 91st birthday, regales the crowd in Fordyce that had gathered to help him celebrate. (Pine Bluff Commercial/Byron Tate)