SBBS Blues Show Promo: Sonny Rhodes

Photo By Michael Henegan

Born in Smithville, Texas, in 1940, Sonny made his first record, for an indie label in Austin, when he was 18. His folks had been sharecroppers; he was seeking a better life, and he was playing in local blues clubs before he graduated from high school. He then joined the navy, and after his stint in the armed forces he stayed in California, where he had been stationed. After learning bass and guitar, he discovered the lap steel; today he is one of the very few blues players who play the instrument, and it gives his music a unique sound.

A regular nominee at the W.C. Handy Awards, he now plays some 250 dates a year.
More indie recordings followed, but he began to build a much more solid career in Europe, where he played to enthusiastic crowds and recorded a number of albums. In the '90s, however, he came into his own with critically acclaimed albums for Ichiban, then Kingsnake, and then followed by great albums on Stony Plain in 21st century.

On stage, with his bejeweled turban and some of the most colourful suits any tailor could create, he cuts a dashing figure -

and one that provides a contrast to the gritty power of the songs he writes and the music he makes.

Sonny heard a lot of T-Bone Walker when he was young, and it shows in his playing today. Other guitarists he credits as being influences include LC Robinson, Pee Wee Crayton, Percy Mayfield and BB King. He played bass behind Freddie King and his friend Albert Collins.

Sample Tracks From Texas Fender Bender (2003)
Greater Planet Entertainment
1. Pickin' Your Bones	2. Drink Muddy Water
3. Black Cat Bone	4. Crazy Fool Blues
5. T-Bone Shuffle	6. Shoe On The Other Foot
7. Blue Shadow	8. Ya Ya
9. Texas Fender Bender

Sample Tracks From A Good Day To Play The Blues (2001)
Stony Plain Records
1. Big Bag O' Blues	2. Love And Harmony
3. She's Not Happy Unless She's Sad
4. Driving Two Ways On A One Way Street
5. Honey Do Woman	6. Ten Pounds Of Love
7. I Bleed Blue	8. If The Blues Fits, Wear It
9. I Wanna Get Your Boogie	10. Win-Win Situation
11. Good Man, Good Woman	12. Monkey See, Monkey Do
13. Good Day To Sing And Play The Blues (Van Fire Blues)

Sample Tracks From Blue Diamond (1999)
Stony Plain Records
1. Meet Me At The 10th Street Inn	2. Shame On You
3. Blues Is My Religion	4. Blue Diamond
5. Back Where You Come From	6. Rainy Day
7. What You're Looking For	8. Beside Myself
9. Too Much Trouble	10. Love From A Stone
11. Blues Walk	12. Blues Man's Prayer
13. Life's Rainbow	14. Interview

Sample Tracks From Just Blues (1995)
Evidence Music
1. I Can't Lose	2. The Things I Used to Do
3. Please Love Me	4. House Without Love
5. Think	6. Cigarette Blues
7. Strange Things Happening
8. It Hurts Me Too	9. East Oakland Stomp

Sonny Rhodes Website