FORDYCE, Ark. – Help celebrate the 91st birthday of blues legend and three-time Grammy winner, Bobby Rush! The “Bobby Rush Birthday Bash” is set to take place on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 300 N. Main Street in Fordyce, Arkansas. The celebration kicks off at 6:00 PM, featuring live performances from Billy Jeter, Port City Blues Players, and the man of the hour himself, Bobby Rush!
This special event is open to the public and free of charge, but with limited seating available, attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs to ensure a comfortable spot to enjoy the show. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate with an icon of the blues world. Mark your calendars now!
Bobby Rush, who has won an astounding eighteen Blues Music Awards and three Grammy Awards, has also been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame, and the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame. His extraordinary career began in Homer, Louisiana, before he moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in 1947, where his father became a pastor and farmer. It was in Pine Bluff where Rush connected with notable musicians like Elmore James, Boyd Gilmore, and Johnny “Big Moose” Walker, eventually forming his band, Bobby Rush and the Four Jivers.
In his teenage years, Rush—sporting a fake mustache—played in local juke joints, captivated by the crowds. His family relocated to Chicago in 1953, where Rush became deeply embedded in the city’s vibrant blues scene. He befriended icons like Little Walter and Muddy Waters and worked alongside Jimmy Reed. Rush went on to perform with other legendary names like Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf, and Muddy Waters, earning gold records throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.
After spending 48 years in Chicago, Rush moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where his career continued to flourish. He appeared in films and documentaries, collaborating with stars like Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, and Samuel L. Jackson. Even at 90 years old, Bobby Rush shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to tour, record, and perform to the delight of his many fans.
Make sure to join the celebration in Fordyce on November 10 for a night of blues and unforgettable memories!
