Cedric Burnside Takes Home Top Honors at the Blues Music Awards

Cedric Burnside took home the top honor at the 2019 Blues Music Awards, winning the coveted title of Best Male Artist. Burnside is a third-generation Mississippi Hill Country bluesman and the grandson of the late great R.L. Burnside. He’s been nominated for a Grammy and received critical acclaim for his work as a solo artist and with his band, The Cedric Burnside Project.

Burnside wins prestigious award

Cedric Burnside took home the top honor at the 37th annual Blues Music Awards, winning the coveted B.B. King Entertainer of the Year award. He also won in the drums category.

Burnside is a Mississippi-based drummer and singer who has been playing music professionally for more than two decades. He is the grandson of legendary blues musician R.L. Burnside and has played with a number of well-known artists, including Buddy Guy, Kris Kristofferson, and Bill Keith.

Burnside’s musical career

Cedric Burnside is an American blues drummer and singer from Mississippi. He is the grandson of R. L. Burnside and the son of Calvin Jackson. Burnside began playing the drums at the age of three and started touring with his father and grandfather when he was eight years old. In 2001, he formed the duo Burnside Exploration with guitarist and vocalist Lightnin’ Malcolm.

Burnside’s early years

Cedric Burnside was born in Meenon, Mississippi in 1974. He is the grandson of R.L. Burnside and the son of Calvin Jackson. Growing up in the hills of North Mississippi, he was exposed to the music of his grandfather and other legendary figures such as Otha Turner, Junior Kimbrough, and Jessie Mae Hemphill. He began playing drums when he was eight years old and went on to tour with his grandfather when he was just 12.

In the early 1990s, Burnside teamed up with bassist Chris Chew to form the musical duo called The Cedric Burnside Project. The two recorded their first album called “Burnside on Burnside” in 2001. They have released a total of four albums together. In 2017, their album “Descendants of Hill Country” won a Blues Music Award for Best Traditional Blues Album.

In addition to his work with The Cedric Burnside Project, Burnside has also released several solo albums. His most recent album, “Benton County Relic”, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2020 for Best Traditional Blues Album.

Burnside’s breakthrough moment

It was Burnside’s performance at the 2009 North Mississippi Allstars’ Hill Country Revue shows, recorded and released as Live in Tokyo, that served as his breakthrough moment. The albums capture Burnside’s raw power as a solo performer, and helped earn him wider recognition. He followed up with the 2010 release of 2 Man Wrecking Crew, a collaboration with Lightnin’ Malcolm. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart, and earned Burnside his first Grammy nomination.

What the future holds for Burnside

Cedric Burnside took home the top honor at this year’s Blues Music Awards, and he’s just getting started. The 32-year-old Burnside is part of a new generation of blues musicians who are keeping the tradition alive while also putting their own spin on it. Burnside is the son of the late R.L. Burnside, and he’s been playing music since he was a child.

Burnside’s plans for the future

Cedric Burnside plans to keep doing what he’s been doing – making music that makes people happy.

“I just want to keep making music and touring and bringing my music to as many people as possible,” said Burnside. “That’s really all I can do, and I just hope that people enjoy it.”

Burnside’s plans for the future also include working on his new album, which he says will be out “soon.”

“I’ve been working on a new album, so hopefully that will be out soon,” said Burnside. “I’m really excited about it, and I think people are going to love it.”

What others are saying about Burnside

“Cedric Burnside is one of the modern day custodians of the deeply rooted, raw and real Mississippi Hill Country Blues tradition and he’s carrying it into the future with soul, style, power and grace.” – Living Blues

“Not only does he have incredible chops as a drummer and a singer, but his guitar playing is off the charts.” – Vintage Guitar

“Burnside is one of the most inventive drummers in any genre.” – NPR Music