Cedric Burnside facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cedric Burnside
Burnside in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Cedric O. Burnside
Born	(1978-08-26) August 26, 1978 (age 46) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Electric blues Hill country blues
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer, songwriter
Instruments	Drums, guitar, vocals
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Single Lock Records
Associated acts	R. L. Burnside, Lightnin' Malcolm

Cedric O. Burnside (born August 26, 1978) is an American musician. He plays the electric blues guitar, drums, and sings. He also writes his own songs. Cedric is the son of blues drummer Calvin Jackson. He is also the grandson of the famous blues singer and guitarist R. L. Burnside.

Cedric has played drums for many artists. These include his grandfather R. L. Burnside, Jessie Mae Hemphill, and Jimmy Buffett. He has also played with Widespread Panic and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.

Early Life and Musical Start

Cedric Burnside was born in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. He grew up in Holly Springs, Mississippi. He lived in the house of his grandfather, R. L. Burnside, and his large family.

When he was just 13 years old, Cedric started touring. He played drums in his grandfather's band. He eventually took over the drumming from his father.

Cedric's Music Career

In 2002, Cedric played on Richard Johnston's first album, Foot Hill Stomp. Two years later, he played percussion on Johnston's Official Bootleg #1.

In 2006, Cedric worked with his uncle, Garry Burnside. They formed a group called Burnside Exploration. They recorded an album called The Record. They also opened shows for the band Widespread Panic.

Later in 2006, Cedric teamed up with Lightnin' Malcolm in Clarksdale, Mississippi. They toured and recorded the Juke Joint Duo album. In 2008, they released Two Man Wrecking Crew. This album won a Blues Music Award for 'Best New Artist Debut' in 2009. The duo also toured with the Big Head Blues Club. Together, they recorded 100 Years Of Robert Johnson in 2011. This album celebrated the 100th birthday of blues legend Robert Johnson.

Burnside at INNtöne Jazzfestival, 2024

Cedric then formed the Cedric Burnside Project. This group included his younger brother, Cody Burnside, and his uncle, Garry Burnside. From 2011, Cedric also toured and recorded with Trenton Ayers. Their album The Way I Am was released in 2011. Sadly, Cedric's brother Cody passed away in 2012. His father passed away in 2015.

In late 2012, Cedric recorded the album Allison Burnside Express with Bernard Allison. It was released in 2014.

Cedric's albums Hear Me When I Say (2013) and Descendants of Hill Country (2015) were released under the Cedric Burnside Project name. Trenton Ayers played guitar on these albums. The Descendants of Hill Country album was funded by fans through a Kickstarter campaign.

Cedric has also appeared in three movies. These include Tempted and Big Bad Love (both from 2001). He was also in Black Snake Moan (2006).

He has performed at many music festivals. These include the Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival and Memphis in May. He also played at the Notodden Blues Festival and Voodoo Experience.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Cedric Burnside has won many awards for his music.

• In 2013, he won the Memphis Blues Award for 'Drummer of the Year'. He won this award three times.
• He won the Blues Music Award for 'Instrumentalist - Drums' in May 2014. He won this award again in 2019 and 2020.
• His album Descendants of Hill Country was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2016. It was nominated for 'Best Blues Album'.
• His album Benton County Relic was nominated for 'Best Traditional Blues Album' at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.
• In 2021, he received a National Heritage Fellowship. This is a very high honor from the United States government for folk and traditional artists.
• For his album I Be Trying, Cedric won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album in 2022.

Music Albums (Discography)

See also

• List of electric blues musicians