I Ain't Studdin' Ya

My American Blues Story

By: Bobby Rush, Herb Powell

Narrated by: Bobby Rush, Leon Nixon

Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

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 that 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 juke joints is now headlining major music/blues festivals, clubs, and theaters across the US and as far as Japan and Australia. At age 86, he is still on the road for more than 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 listeners unparalleled access into the man, the myth, the legend: Bobby Rush.

©2021 Herb Powell (P)2021 Hachette Books

Critic reviews

"I’ve had the pleasure of knowing my friend Bobby for over forty years. He’s a born entertainer and a riot.” (Mavis Staples)

“Merely living and surviving nine decades would be marked as a huge accomplishment for anyone but then pack in thousands of nights filled with music, dancing, laughter, raucousness, professionalism, showmanship, all done with passion plus compassion and you have the life of Bobby Rush. This book is a must read for all serious followers of the American Rhythm and Blues cultural explosion by one of its extant founders.” (Dan Aykroyd)

“Bobby Rush’s I Ain’t Studdin’ Ya could be called ‘the spark of stayin' in the moment.’ Bobby’s indefatigable spirit and energy leap from the page of this delightful chronicle of a life well lived, and he is always in the moment. Bobby may be the only bluesman alive who can speak of a personal journey that extends from picking cotton in his youth to an active recording and performing career in 2021. Bobby personally knew many of the mythic artists who we think of when we explore the history of the blues. I recommend this book to any lover of the blues and any lover a good story.” (Jerry Harrison, founding member of Talking Heads)

Great Autobiography!

I totally enjoyed this book! I think I might listen to it again! A great American story of resilience and perseverance of being a Bluesman for over 70 years!

Authentic

This is the story of a real Southern Blues Artist who has stood the test of time. Clean living Bobby Rush remembers it well and tells it like it really was. Lovers of authentic, original American music will enjoy this book. The pleasure, passion and struggle for success and recognition as a Black Music Artist is presented here in a way that is exciting and enjoyable. I loved it!

Excellent for blues fans

Wonderful and heartfelt bio from the great Bobby Rush. Nice flavor of growing up in the south during Jim Crow as well as his late blooming career. The best recollection of Little Walter I’ve ever read, also Bo Diddley and Luther Allison. Any fan of American blues will enjoy this book. Very nicely read by Leon Nixon.

Warm and culturally historical

This book was a warm historical account of American music history by way of soul blues. The author Bobby Rush has awesome stories to tell about childhood challenges music and growing up with legendary bluesmen over the last 50 years. This is a great book for those who enjoy American musical history African American history and just a good old-fashioned story which is quintessentially the blues.

Awesome History Lesson for Us All! Thank You Mr. Rush!!!

Totally enjoyed this book! Two sittings and done! I am more of a Bobby Rush fan than I was yesterday. Always enjoyed his shows. The music, the stories, and the shake dancers! Keep bringing it on Bobby Rush!! “…and now coming to the stage Mutha %#^¥£€…BOBBY RUSH!!!”

A great storyline , and reading performance is A+

This book has a great storyline, and the reading performance is A +. Hey , Hey , Bobby Rush!

True Gem

Incredible story, great writing, kept me intrigued from start to finish. If you’re a Blues fan, it’s a must read/listen!