On Feb. 15, four-time Grammy Award winner and former Jefferson County resident Bobby Rush gave two packed-house performances at RJ’s Sports Grill & Bar in downtown Pine Bluff.
The programs were sponsored by the Port City Blues Society, with Port City Blues Players as the opening act. The local group gave half-hour sets before introducing the featured artist. Rush was accompanied by his four-piece band and two dancers, Miss Lowe and Miss Erica.
Among the many spectators were Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers and Sherrill Mayor Jody Campbell.
Sherrill, where Rush spent his youth, is in the process of erecting a commemorative Arkansas River Delta Blues Trail marker to honor the world-renowned bluesman. The marker dedication is scheduled for June.
Pine Bluff, where Rush began his music career performing on Third Avenue at Jittie Bugs juke joint, is also working closely with the Delta Rhythm and Bayous Cultural District to show their love for the blues icon.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
At age 16, Rush fronted his first band there called Bobby Rush & the Four Jivers. The group consisted of the legendary Elmore James, who built his blues reputation for loud amplification on lead guitar and stirring vocals. Moose John played keyboard with Robert Plunkett on drums.
“I played a little of everything and a little of nothing,” Rush said. “I was the least talented in the group but they made me sound good cause it was my band.”
Only a short walk from RJ’s, a two-block stretch of Third Avenue where three legendary blues venues once stood was renamed Bobby Rush Way on Sept. 27, 2019. Additionally, Rush’s larger-than-life image joins a number of other significant blues players hailing from Pine Bluff and Jefferson County on a 140-foot-long mural lining Third Avenue in the newly established Delta Rhythm and Bayous Blues & Wellness Plaza. (The city of Pine Bluff will celebrate the grand opening of the plaza at noon Friday.)
“In 74 years, I’ve recorded 489 records,” Rush told the audience. “I left Pine Bluff for Chicago as a teenager with $49 in my pocket. It was just enough to get me there. I got a job in Chicago making $7 a week. I managed to save up enough to go to St. Louis where I went to work for $8 a week.”
In Missouri, he began performing alongside Muddy Waters and Little Walter.
“I was just 19 years old when B.B. King and I first met there. He was just a kid too, not much older than me,” he said.
Before launching into the blues standard, “Mannish Boy,” Rush related to his audience how when Mel London came to him and said he wanted Rush to have a song he was working on. Rush told London, “I’m too young, give it to Muddy.” It became one of Waters’ greatest hits.
Laughing, Rush said, “I regret that one.”
Microphone and harmonica in hand, Rush made his customary stroll through the audience, playing and singing directly to individuals.
The crowd gave a round of applause as Rush began one of his final numbers with the line: “I got three things on my mind, making music, making money and making love to you all the time.”
Between shows, Rush signed autographs and posed for photos with eager fans. RJ’s signature burgers, wings and fries were the evening’s fare.