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 Ain't Studdin’ Ya
By: Bobby Rush
Publisher: Hachette Books
Published Date: June 22, 2021
My Rating and review is my own honest opinion.
ARC: Thank you @Netgalley and Hachette Books for the gifted copy of this book.

My Daddy was born in the Delta so as a child I heard stories about the many different Blues Singers in the South. I’m In my 50s and I still listen to the blue . I love how Emmett Ellis jr put his story into a book. He's been through so many highs and lows but he's a survivor. He spoke about his parents and his supportive family. He gave you the truth about how it was during the early years of the Chitlin Circuit and years later he was honored with The King of the Chitlin Circuit title. Bobby Rush tells the story of how he came up with his name. He also tells you about different Entertainers he has worked with and he gives you his honest feelings about different artists he's worked with. He speaks on his family and his beloved children. I couldn't put this book down once I got started. I gave this book FIVE STARS.

I'm a proud Black man. I am a proud Bluesman. And I am a product of the American South. But now I’m just one man with one story left-mine.

Emmett Ellis Jr, better known by his stage name as Bobby Rush is widely known here in the Deep South. I grew up in Clarksdale, MS which is often credited as being the Home of the Blues and as far back as I can remember, he has been a permanent fixture on the Blues scene. You see, I worked at the Delta Blues Museum up until I graduated High School, so I’ve met many Blues stars in my lifetime….some internationally known and some that were more regionally known (as I was at the time). At one point in my life I also played the Blues (shocking right lolll) and opened up for Mr. Rush a time or two during my tenure as a Blues musician. I always thought he was one of the best showmen in the Blues arena, but unlike a lot of others, I appreciated his harmonica skills even more-so than his shapely dancers, lively show and funny jokes. I often told my Husband I really wish more people could see him playing his Harmonica. He didn’t pull it out often, but when he did I was always blown away.

In this book we learn more about his humble beginnings. I honestly always thought he was born and raised in Mississippi but he is originally from northern Louisiana. He tells lots of fond stories of his old Blues friends that turned out to be Blues legends (B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Rufus Thomas, Buddy Guy, and many others). He talked about his various side hustles (most notably his stint as a BBQ joint owner) that kept him afloat during the years when he needed additional income. He also talked about his relationship with God. I learned so much about Mr. Rush in this memoir. I was guilty of thinking negatively of the Chitlin’ Circuit back when I was a musician and one of the reasons I decided to pursue college over music was my fear of being a starving artist and being destined to play the Chitlin’ Circuit forever like Bobby did for over 50 years with no shame. His insight on the Chitlin’ Circuit not being derogatory but actually a delicacy of the American Entertainment Industry gave me pause. How could I have ever looked down on the circuit that was at one time the only circuit afforded to Blues/Soul artists in the South when they were unable to perform in white establishments? Thanks to Bobby I will never look at the Chitlin’ Circuit the same again.

I loved that he expounded on his biggest lessons in the music industry: The importance of traveling overseas, lost opportunities to use his network (his already famous friends) to propel himself further, ,his marriages and how they influenced his music and career, having patience, finding his authenticity (and pulling back out his harp), and coming home to himself. Mr. Rush is now a 2x Grammy winning Blues artist and in his 80s he’s still performing and making music. His career has spanned decades and I’m blessed that he has been alive long enough to tell his story as well as reflect on stories from other musicians who didn’t get the chance to tell theirs. I’m so glad I witnessed him reach the height of his career in my lifetime and finally cross over when many had counted him out. This is a book every musician or music enthusiast should read, especially if you are from the South.

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.