ANGIE CARNATHAN
Critically acclaimed blues musician B. B. King takes the stage tonight at the Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on Mississippi State University’s campus as part of the 2011-2012 Lyceum Series. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and is sold out.
King is best known for his hits “The Thrill is Gone,” “Payin’ the Cost to be the Boss,” “How Blue Can You Get,” “Everyday I Have the Blues” and “Why I Sing the Blues.”
Mary Leigh Morris is a senior math major at MSU and served on the Performing Arts Committee last year. She is planning on attending the concert this evening and said she’s looking forward to the show.
“I know that a lot of students are really excited to have somebody so influential and well-known to be playing on our campus, and I think we all just feel really honored to have the opportunity to see B.B. King play live,” Morris said. “We know this is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Performing Arts Committee Chair Maridith Geuder said to call King a legend is to use a word that doesn’t come close to describing his contribution to American music.
“By partnering with other campus organizations, the Lyceum Series is thrilled to bring this Mississippi icon to Mississippi State for the inaugural performance of the 2011-12 season,” Geuder said. “We are especially pleased that our students will have an opportunity to experience the excitement of a live performance by an unparalleled artist. It’s going to be an evening everyone will remember.”
King was born near Itta Bena on a plantation on Sept. 16, 1925. He has recorded more than 50 albums over his lifetime and many are considered classics.
King began his musical career playing on Delta street corners for dimes. He hitchhiked to Memphis, Tenn., in 1947, hoping to break into the music business.
King’s first break came in 1948 when he was asked to play Sonny Boy Williamson’s Memphis radio program on KWEM. After finding some success on the radio and gaining more recognition for playing live at local hot spots, he took on the nickname “Beale Street Blues Boy,” which was later shortened to “Blues Boy,” and finally “B.B.”
King has toured extensively throughout his career and averages more than 250 concerts annually all over the globe. He has said he will keep touring and playing live as long as his health permits.
Read the complete article at Starkville Daily News.
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