Still Burning

Such alternative marketing has its drawbacks. The most loyal blues consumers--the kind who support comparatively commercial practitioners of the form, such as Robert Cray--know very little about Burnside, and the hipster fans who do are notoriously fickle. But even if the well begins to run dry, his standard of living is better now than ever before. Today he owns an actual house that's overflowing with relatives. "I have two of my sons and two of my daughters living there, and a lot of the other ones live close by, so they come by, too." He adds, "We've got twelve children living, me and my wife. We had thirteen, but one of my daughters got killed in a car wreck about nine years ago. So we've got twelve living kids now."

As for the total number of grandchildren, Burnside concedes, "I'd need a computer to figure that out," but he's especially close to one of them--Cedric Burnside, who plays drums in his band. (He describes Kenny Brown, the other member of his traveling trio, as "a white guy who came to my house one day and asked if I could teach him how to play.") Cedric is good company on the road, Burnside notes, and he provides a shot of energy when he needs one. "I do get tired sometimes," he concedes. "I don't like staying out there too long. But I figure I can go along for three or four more years, and then I'll retire."

As with everything Burnside says, this last sentence is very matter-of-fact; there's no romance in it. He sees no need for such pretense, especially now that he's finally being rewarded for a lifetime of hard knocks. Besides, the future is assured, whether he's around to see it or not. "When I stop playing, Cedric and them others are going to carry the blues on--try to keep it going," he maintains. "It'll be up to them."

R.L. Burnside, with Robert Cage. 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, Bluebird Theater, 3317 East Colfax Avenue, $14, 303-830-6700; 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, Fox Theatre, 1135 13th Street, Boulder, $12.75, 303-443-3399.