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Now he'll play the blues for his hometown crowd

James Peterson plays a farewell gig tonight before returning to his childhood home in the Heart of Dixie. But he wants it known that he's not retiring.

By LOGAN NEILL
Published September 23, 2005

After 30 years of living in St. Petersburg, James Peterson has decided to make a move back to his childhood home in Alabama. But he wants everyone to know that he isn't slipping into retirement, or anything like that.

"Retirement?" the 71-year-old blues legend says, chuckling. "Why would I retire? I'm getting better every day."

In fact, the reason for his return to Eufala, Ala., located about 25 miles east of Auburn, is to get back to the blues and barbecue club he and his brother started in 1981. Things haven't been going so well at Club 49 lately, and Peterson has been asked to take the reins as manager and leader of the house band.

But before he leaves, he wanted to play a farewell gig at one of his favorite clubs in the Tampa Bay area. Peterson will be joined by a number of top bay area blues players at 9:30 tonight at the Bourbon Street Concert Club in New Port Richey.

"I'm looking forward to it because I haven't played in town too much this year," Peterson said. "We've always had great blues fans here that have come out to support us."

Knowledgeable blues fans are well aware of Peterson's considerable contributions to the genre. His professional career dates to the early 1960s, when he formed his first band while running the Governor's Inn House of Blues in Buffalo, N.Y.

A few years later, blues legend Howlin' Wolf heard the band in the club. So wowed by Peterson's gritty guitar style, he hired the group to back him on several shows. Through the years, Peterson would also team up with the likes of Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and Koko Taylor.

His 1970 recording debut, The Father, Son and the Blues, which was produced by Willie Dixon, brought Peterson's talent as a songwriter to the forefront and introduced his blues prodigy son, Lucky, to the music world.

After years of hectic traveling, Peterson retreated from the music business to live quietly near his family in St. Petersburg. However, it wasn't long before he was itching to perform again. So as interest in blues music grew during the late 1970s, Peterson saw an opportunity to jump aboard.

Since then, Peterson, who is known for his effervescent stage presence, has been a regular invitee to most of the major blues festivals in North America and has built a strong following in Europe as well. He still performs occasionally with Lucky, who has become a blues star in his own right.

Even though Peterson is bidding the bay area farewell, he plans to return regularly to look after local business interests and to stay in touch with his children and grandchildren.

"I still love it here, but right now I've got some things I need to take care of," Peterson said. "You know, it's good to have some change in your life from time to time. It keeps you going."

The James Peterson Revue performs at 9:30 tonight at the Bourbon Street Concert Club, 4331 U.S. 19, New Port Richey. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door. Call (727) 843-0686 for information.

[Last modified September 23, 2005, 02:50:29]