I Ain't Studdin' Ya: My American Blues Story

by Bobby Rush, Herb Powell (Primary Contributor)

Experience music history with this memoir by one of the last of the genuine old school Blues and R&B legends, the Grammy-winning dynamic showman Bobby Rush.

This memoir charts the extraordinary rise to fame of living blues legend, Bobby Rush. Born Emmett Ellis, Jr. in Homer, Louisiana, he adopted the stage name Bobby Rush out of respect for his father, a pastor. As a teenager, Rush acquired his first real guitar and started playing in juke joints in Little Rock, Arkansas, donning a fake mustache to trick club owners into thinking he was old enough to gain entry. He led his first band in Arkansas between Little Rock and Pine Bluff in the 1950s. It was there he first had Elmore James play in his band. Rush later relocated to Chicago to pursue his musical career and started to work with Earl Hooker, Luther Allison, and Freddie King, and sat in with many of his musical heroes, such as Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed and Little Walter. Rush eventually began leading his own band in the 1960s, crafting his own distinct style of funky blues, and recording a succession of singles for various labels. It wasn't until the early 1970s that Rush finally scored a hit with "Chicken Heads." More recordings followed, including an album which went on to be listed in the Top 10 blues albums of the 1970s by Rolling Stone and a handful of regional jukebox favorites including "Sue" and "I Ain't Studdin' Ya."

And Rush's career shows no signs of slowing down now. The man once beloved for performing in local jukejoints is now headlining major music/blues festivals, clubs, and theaters across the U.S. and as far as Japan and Australia. At age eighty-six, he is still on the road for over 200 days a year. His lifelong hectic tour schedule has earned him the affectionate title "King of the Chitlin' Circuit," from Rolling Stone. In 2007, he earned the distinction of being the first blues artist to play at the Great Wall of China. His renowned stage act features his famed shake dancers, who personify his funky blues and his ribald sense of humor. He was featured in Martin Scorcese's The Blues docuseries on PBS, a documentary film called Take Me to the River, performed with Dan Aykroyd on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon , and most recently had a cameo in the Golden Globe nominated Netflix film, Dolemite Is My Name , starring Eddie Murphy. He was recently given the highest Blues Music Award honor of B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. His songs have also been featured in TV shows and films including HBO's Ballers and major motion pictures like Black Snake Moan , starring Samuel L. Jackson.

Considered by many to be the greatest bluesman currently performing, this book will give readers unparalleled access into the man, the myth, the Bobby Rush.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

Published June 22, 2021

Reviews

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, exhaustive account of the blues scene and the Chitlin Circuit for the past 50+ years. Its author was there all along, drug- and alcohol-free, and now lives to share an entertaining and clear-eyed account. Charmingly told in the author's southern, sweet, heavily profane vernacular, this memoir is southern, Black, and musical, to be sure. But above all, it's a treasure trove of American heritage and history -- told by a brilliant musical talent, a tireless performer, entertainer and traveler, and just a really good guy.

[Mrs. Arvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Ain't Studdin’ Ya

Author: Emmett Ellis Jr

Published: June 22, 2012

Publisher: Hachette Books

I would like to thank Netgalley and Hachette Books for the ARC of this book.

This review and Star rating are of my own opinion.

I grew up hearing the blues every Saturday morning. My parents would be sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and talking about the week past. I do the same thing to this very day. I clean my house on Saturday and jam my blues. Like my parents, I don't care who is sleeping. I enjoyed how Bobby Rush told his story right from the beginning as a child how he came about his love for music. He tells about his childhood and how he became a man of all trades and with his dedication he has truly made a name for himself. He has worked with the greatest artist out. He tells his story raw and uncut. He's a true legend and I can't wait to meet him at the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson Mississippi in August 2021.
I enjoyed reading this book and learning about the Chitlin Circuit in the early stages of the blues. I recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in the blues and how it was for an independent artist.

Thank you again for this ARC I ENJOYED READING.

THE KING OF THE CHITLIN CIRCUIT

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is well written but as I have never heard of this person it brought to life in me about this person and finding his music.

I think it was an interesting read.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have Bobby Rush many times. I have seen him live a couple times. I live in Mississippi. He is part of our state's fabric. All of that said: I rarely find myself listening to his music, and picked the book up on a lark. It was great. I loved the no-nonsense delivery. I loved the tales of the Chitlin Circuit. My daughter asked about the book, and I described it as a "first-hand treatise on the Black experience in the 20th Century American South," which it is. Bobby has met everyone. He's been everywhere. He's lived a life. Whether you are a fan of his music or not, or whether or not you are even familiar with him at all, his memoir is a good read.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Rush gives a great account of his long life in music. I especially liked his descriptions of his family and life growing up in Louisiana and Arkansas on farms. He grew up in a large family of siblings and loving parents and extended family. He starts off saying "Some say I was born in 1940; I'll take that. Some say I was born in 1934, and I'll take that too. But they also say I was born in 1937. And I'll bet I'm the only person in the history of show business that made themselves older - not younger- than they really were. He started performing in front of audiences when he was 12, saying he was 15 and he's been performing ever since. The family moved to Arkansas in 1947 which led to a change in the families fortunes, as the land was so much richer. Bobby's Father exclaiming after their first year that if he knew he could make so much money he would have moved sooner. Bobby Rush started performing and befriending all the greats that passed through Pine Bluff, an important stop on the chitlin circuit, as well as an important city for the Black population, with thriving businesses, and nearest to their farm. He doesn't hold back on the indignities he had to suffer because of his race and how he was treated in the South. However, it said it was often worse in the northern cities, especially when he moved to Chicago to further his music career. You could say Mr Rush was a late bloomer, as success came slow and late to him, although he made a decent living touring constantly in the 50's and 60's on that chitlin circuit. his first nomination for blues awards was not until 1997. He won his first awards in 2005. His first Grammy award came in 2017 after his first nomination in 2013. Mr Rush is one of the last survivors of that classic Blues/Soul era of the 1940's/50's along with Buddy Guy. A great read for the language, the history and a life well lived.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for an honest review.

I had really started listening to the blues in the nineties and by the end of them really began to search for so many different artists. I came by Bobby Rush by chance and liked his music so this book was a real find for me. Finding out the history of how he got started and all of the setbacks and the way he had to start over. all of the different people that he met along the way and who he played with as well. He gives a lot of credit to different musicians but especially Little Walter who really helped him when it came to playing the Harp they called it.
Really this book has so much true history that I am glad I was able to learn about. One the “Chitlin Circuit” I never heard about so his oral history about that was very interesting to me. Yes, he goes into the racism he has experienced but he has not let that define him. I still cannot imagine all of the struggles he has been through and yet he has a positive look on so much about life. His story is real though from leaving Arkansas going to Chicago and at one time owning a BBQ place in Chicago until it caught fire and he was lucky to survive. He decided to go back into music. We are all glad he did. His music is fun and can be full of life when listening to them, at least for me. I really enjoyed this book just so much. It was very much worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars.

[Don Gorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3 1/2). Bobby Rush is a living legend. A music history that is as wide as it is deep. This books gives us the most interesting insight into the development of a black man/musician growing up in the South starting in the 1940’s. Rush talks a little about the incredible discrimination he was under, but that is not the focus here. His journey is incredibly well documented and he mostly avoids too much of the listing of things and people that goes in in these memoirs that takes them down. An inspiring read in lots of ways. Good stuff.

[Robert Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have seen Bobby Rush live along with most of the blues men he talks about. I have read several books about the blues and this first hand account is the best one yet.
It’s also a book about racism, tenacity, and personal achievement. Most of Bobby Rush’s accolades came late in life and his determination is to be admired. His perseverance and attitude about life has made him a personal hero of mine.

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5 stars for the cameos from more than 50 years of the blues life but the narrative structure (chapters ranging from short to very short to less than a page) and all first person point of view that just wasn't deep enough into the music (except maybe his discovery of music and the blues in the early chapters) to resonate.

[Mike Kalkofen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I've seen Bobby Rush play several times and this book really helped fill in the story of how he developed as a performer and why he performs like he does. Highly recommended to any fan of the blues!

[Pcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

.5 Interesting and flows with personality.

[Christopher Klug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many short chapters with tidbits.

[STEPHEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend his fascinating, hard and entertaining story traversing his 8 decades as an African American Bluesman.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing story of the Blues and Bobby Rush!

[Peta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was here for it, and he did not disappoint. Review here ->https://youtu.be/pYgF7MQTk8E

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

God bless Bobby Rush, the greatest entertainer alive. An autobiography of Bobby Rush is the history of the blues itself.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bobby Rush has lived a big life and he's only had three drinks so he can remember it all.

[Robert A. Kalanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book that talks about the chitlin circuit, and. Just being an original in the tough world of the record biz. Well done!