Unknown Legends Artists

Legendary blues artist Bobby Rush hit Hot Springs with two shows on March 24 in the Hot Springs Convention Center’s Horner Hall. The show was pulled together by promoter Latavious Hammock in a pinch. While there were a few issues with promotion of the show and some details that needed to worked out, Hammock did an admirable job pulling this together.

Included with the show was a meet and greet with Rush at Daniel’s Special Event and Banquet Hall the evening before. Daniel’s, located at 865 Park Avenue, is a new meeting spot available for special occasions and activities. Newly remodeled, the space includes a bar area, small band stand and dance floor. The business also features catering and limo service. And the prices are reasonable. It was a great setting for fans to visit with Rush.

During the meet and greet, Rush took time to visit with everyone in the room, shaking hands, laughing and taking pictures. At 70 plus years young, Rush was personable and friendly, holding a mischievous grin on his face all evening. He made each person he spoke to feel as though they were the most important person in the room. He was a professional all the way.

The crowd for the show on Friday was disappointing to say the least. There were maybe 250 to 300 people in attendance. For those folks who chose not to come…well, you missed seeing one of the finest entertainers out there today. The show kicked off with local DJ, the Bishop, providing some comedic entertainment for the crowd.

Local blues band Delta Mudd opened the music. Delta Mudd consists of Pat "Jawbone" Kenyon on harp and vocals and Brian Wilkinson on guitar and vocals. The rhythm section was Jimmy Lynn on bass and Cecil Parker on drums. The crowd was not sure what to expect from this group until Kenyon took the mic. He told the audience "I haven’t been feeling well lately. Lord, I think someone done burned a candle on me" launching the band into the song "Voodoo Thang". It only got better. Delta Mudd got the crowd pumped up with a variety harp laced tunes from Kenyon and scorching guitar work from Wilkinson. The 40 minute set featured songs from their CD, Bail Jumper’s Bounce, as well as covers of some blues classics. You can check out more about Delta Mudd at www.deltamudd.com.

Bobby Rush and his band took the stage a little later than planned, causing a stir among the crowd. It turned out to be worth the wait. The Bobby Rush show isn’t just a music concert. It’s an experience for the senses. Rush’s band is outstanding. They were where they needed to be all evening, playing off one another with an intricacy that can only be felt, rather than described. The keyboards and guitar flowed and filled through the entire set. The rhythm section were always over the top.

Rush himself is the consummate entertainer. The man took the stage with over 50 years of road polished soul. To see this man perform at 70 plus years was incredible. He didn’t miss a lyric or a step in his show. Rush played harp and sang most of the show, picking up his guitar near the end of the set. In addition to being an entertainer, Rush is a talented musician and songwriter. He ran through an array of music including "Big Legged Woman", "Uncle Esau" and a number of tunes off his newest album Night Fishing.

Now, how he makes it through these shows is a feat in and of itself. On either side of Rush when he performs are a pair of fine, "big legged" women dancing and shaking to the music. And they don’t just dance and shake. Oh, no, no, no. They make those booties talk! Rush will smile and point the ladies backsides out to the crowd inviting them to take a look or he will playfully "knock" on one awaiting the young lady to answer "Come on in" in a deep, sexy voice.

Rush finished up his set, a little under two hours, and took time to meet fans, take pictures and sign autographs before changing clothes and jumping back on the stage. With the sparse crowd, the evening ended up being one long show rather than two. Rush’s second set was a little over an hour but left nothing out. Through both shows he did not play the same song twice and for the fans who stuck around to the end it was worth the price of admission.

While this show might not have been a success in terms of money it has poured the foundation for future events. Hot Springs needs to have this caliber of live entertainment available. Further, Hot Springs needs to get out and support this caliber of entertainment when it’s available. Rumor has it the best is yet to come.