Table of Contents
Foreword Dr. London G. Branch 7
Acknowledgements 9
Introduction 11
Part I The Life and Legacy of B.B. King
1 Humble Beginnings 23
2 Education from the Cotton Fields to the Schoolhouse to the Church House 27
3 Bigotry and Prejudice 37
4 Switching Gears 41
5 Beale Street 44
6 Making Music 52
7 The Business of Making Music 58
Part II Family Recollections
8 Shirley King: B.B. King's Daughter 69
9 Mary Alice Smith: Martha's Daughter 73
10 Marvin Gardner: Little B.B. King 78
Part III Let Them Talk but Hear What They've Got to Say Interviews with Music Makers Who Were Influenced B.B. King
11 Malcolm Shepherd: Percussionist and President, Central Mississippi Blues Society 83
12 Bobby Rush: Blues Entertainer 87
13 Billy Branch: "Son of the Blues" 94
14 Nellie "Mack" McInnis: Bass Player 96
15 Jesse Robinson: Guitarist 101
16 Melvin Hendrex: "House Cat" 105
17 Ben Pay-ton: Blues Guitarist and Singer 109
18 Dexter Allen: Let it Lead You 115
19 Robert Hill: Owner, Radio Station WRNE 980 FM, Pensacola, Florida 120
20 JaWonn Smith: Southern Soul 122
21 Abdul Rasheed: Singer and Bass Player 124
22 Thank You Mr. King…the King of the Blues: By Dr. C. Sade Turnipseed 127
Conclusion: Influential Considerations on Black Music 129
Appendix I Blues Curricula 137
Appendix II B.B. King Discography 143
Appendix III Awards and Distinctions 151
Bibliography 157
About the Author 160