R. L. Boyce
Robert L. Boyce[1] (August 15, 1955 – November 9, 2023)[2][better source needed] was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist born and raised in Como, Mississippi.[3]
Life and career[edit]
He was a protege of Hill country blues musicians including R. L. Burnside and Mississippi Fred McDowell.[4]
Boyce began his career in the early 1960s playing drums for his uncle, the fife and drum performer Othar Turner.[5] Later he was the drummer for Jessie Mae Hemphill and is heard on her 1990 album, Feelin’ Good.
His debut album, Ain’t the Man’s Alright, was released in 2013 and featured musicians including Cedric Burnside, Luther Dickinson, and Calvin Jackson.[6]
His second album release, Roll and Tumble, was released on September 8, 2017, on Waxploitation Records. The album included the father and son double drumming team of Cedric Burnside (R. L. Burnside’s grandson and drummer) and Calvin Jackson. The album was produced by Luther Dickinson and David Katznelson.[7] It was nominated for a 2018 Grammy Award in the Best Traditional Blues Album category.[8]
The cover of Roll and Tumble is a portrait of R.L. Boyce, painted by the contemporary artist James Jean.[9]
In February 2023, he was named as one of nine National Heritage Fellowships by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), alongside Roen Hufford, Elizabeth James-Perry, Luis Tapia, Wu Man, and others.[10]
Death[edit]
Boyce died on November 9, 2023, at the age of 68.[2]
Studio albums[edit]
- Ain’t the Man’s Alright (Sutro Park, 2013)
- Roll and Tumble (Waxploitation Records, 2017)
- Rattlesnake Boogie (Waxploitation, 2018)
- Ain’t Gonna Play Too Long (Waxploitation, 2018)
Documentaries featuring Boyce[edit]
- Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: A Musical Journey (2003) featured the song “Shortnin'” / “Henduck Traditional” by Otha Turner which included Boyce on bass and snare drums.[11]
- M for Mississippi (2008) included an interview with Boyce[12]
- Moonshine & Mojo Hands (2014) included an interview with Boyce[13]
- I Am The Blues (2015) included a performance by Boyce[14]
Awards and honors[edit]
- 2018: Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album[8]
- 2018: Blues Music Award nomination for Traditional Blues Male Artist[15]
- 2018: Blues Music Award nomination for Best Emerging Artist Album (Roll and Tumble)[15]
- 2022: Blues Music Award nomination for Traditional Blues Album (Boogie w/ R.L. Boyce Live)[15]
- 2023: recipient of a National Heritage Fellowship awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the United States government’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.[16]
References[edit]
- ^ Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues: A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara, California: Praeger. p. 235. ISBN 978-0313344237.
- ^ Jump up to:a b “Mississippi Blues Pioneer R.L. Boyce Dies Aged 68”. American Blues Scene. November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ^ “3×3: RL Boyce on Fred McDowell, Feather Pillows, and Fruits and Vegetables”. The Bluegrass Situation. September 6, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ “C&L’s Late Nite Music Club With R.L. Boyce”. Crooks and Liars. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ “The Line of Best Fit”. The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ “Ain’t the Man’s Alright: Releases”. AllMusic.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ “R.L. Boyce Official Bio”. Waxploitation.com. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ Jump up to:a b “Artist: R.L. Boyce”. Grammy.com. Recording Academy. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ “James Jean Instagram”. James Jean Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ “National Endowment for the Arts Announces 2023 NEA National Heritage Fellows”. Americanfolkloresociety.org. February 28, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ “R.L. Boyce – Credits”. AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ “M for Mississippi: A Road Trip through the Birthplace of the Blues”. IMDB.com. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ “Moonshine & Mojo Hands”. IMDb.com. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ “‘I Am the Blues’: Film Review”. Hollywood Reporter. July 16, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c “Award Winners and Nominees [search]”. blues.org. The Blues Foundation. 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ “NEA National Heritage Fellowships 2023”. Arts.gov. National Endowment for the Arts. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
External links[edit]
- R.L. Boyce at AllMusic
- R.L. Boyce discography at Discogs
- 2001 interview with RL Boyce and Jessie “Chip” Daniels at 50 Miles of Elbow Room
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
- 1955 births
- 2023 deaths
- 20th-century African-American male singers
- African-American rock musicians
- American blues guitarists
- American male guitarists
- American blues singers
- Country blues musicians
- Juke Joint blues musicians
- Blues musicians from Mississippi
- People from Como, Mississippi
- 20th-century American guitarists
- Guitarists from Mississippi
- 21st-century American guitarists
- African-American guitarists
- 21st-century African-American male singers
- National Heritage Fellowship winners
- 20th-century American singers
- 21st-century American singers
