Page 76 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2013
P. 76
Thriving Subculture…
The ChiTlin’
CirCuiT
By Preston Lauterbach
The chitlin’ circuit is the network of juke joints, night clubs and dance
Cover of the author’s book, The Chitlin’ Circuit and halls that has showcased black blues, jazz and soul artists to black
the Road to Rock ‘n’ Roll Used with Author’s Permission audiences all over the country since the 1930s.
The circuit evolved out of segregation, giving performers like charismatic man with his Jheri curl, rhinestone jumpsuits and gluteusly
Bobby “Blue” Bland, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Little Richard and gifted dance team. Bobby and a handful of other contemporary-
James Brown a place to hone their skills. It continues today for fans minded, black performers were at the center of a thriving subculture:
of legendary performers like Clarence Carter, Denise LaSalle and the chitlin’ circuit. Bobby refers to himself in certain company as
Bobby Rush. the “King of the Chitlin’ Circuit.” Their blues shows, which typically
Summer 2003, I was working for Living Blues magazine, writing feature upwards of five acts and go on for hours, sell out rodeo
a feature about an artist named Bobby Rush, a non-stop, glowingly arenas and civic centers, mostly in the Deep South. These scenes
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