Black American Music Series
Durham County Library & Hayti Heritage Center Presents
BLUES & ROOTS, Sunday June 9th @ 5pm.
June is Black Music Month and we will explore the history & impact of the Blues in American Music. The event will begin @ 5pm with a History of Blues Presentation by UNC Professor, Dr. William Ferris and a Live Performance by Legendary Blues Artist, Roy Roberts & His Band @ 6pm. Join us for an Evening celebrating Black American Music.
Sponsored by Pinnacle & Shoe Crazy Wine
WILLIAM R. FERRIS IS A PROFESSOR OF HISTORY AT UNC–CHAPEL HILL AND AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR IN THE CURRICULUM IN FOLKLORE. HE IS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH, AND IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED AS A LEADER IN SOUTHERN STUDIES, AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC AND FOLKLORE. HE IS THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES. PRIOR TO HIS ROLE AT NEH, FERRIS SERVED AS THE FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SOUTHERN CULTURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI, WHERE HE WAS A FACULTY MEMBER FOR 18 YEARS.
ROY ROBERTS BECAME HOOKED ON MUSIC WHILE GROWING UP IN A SMALL TOWN IN TENNESSEE, LISTENING TO BLUES AND R&B ON RADIO STATIONS WLAC OUT OF NASHVILLE. JIMMY REED’S “BABY WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO” WAS THE CLINCHER AND AT THE AGE OF 14, ROY WORKED ON A NEARBY FARM TO EARN THE MONEY FOR HIS FIRST GUITAR, A MAIL ORDER SEARS SILVERTONE.
Roy began to cut records in the mid-sixties, staying mostly behind the scenes as a session man. The tragic death of Otis Redding inspired him to step up to the microphone with a song dedicated to the late crooner. The record was released on Nina Simone’s NinaAndy label and backed by an ace studio band. Roy followed this successful effort with a string of 45’s that carried him well into the seventies. During the disco years, Roy turned his talents to country music, touring with the great O.B. McClinton and releasing a number of country records. After a brief hiatus from the music scene, Roy built a recording studio in Virginia in 1989, where he produced records by regional gospel artists and cut a gospel record of his own.
One day in the early nineties, he heard a young Robert Cray singing the blues on the radio. “That cat’s got my style,” he declared, and got the blues fever once again. Besides recording his own material on Rock House, Roberts has produced albums for the label by Priscilla Price, Lou Pride, Chick Willis, Skeeter Brandon, Floyd Miles, Eddie Floyd, and many more. Roy continues to record and produce records for his label, and tours the U.S. and Europe regularly. After receiving numerous awards, Roy has earned his place among the finest artists playing blues today.