Northern Louisiana, a region where the genres of country and blues harmoniously merged, giving birth to a unique breed of songwriters. This region has been the cradle of some notable musicians, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, Jimmy Swaggart, and swamp country singer/songwriter Tony Joe White, all of whom hail from this area.
Kenny Bill Stinson, a product of this rich musical heritage, shares his thoughts on the region's influence on his music. "Where I'm from is kind of like a train-wreck of country music and blues," he explains. "They kind of crashed together and blew up there. So I play a blend of country, blues, rock 'n' roll -- whatever I can throw together to make a living."
As a child, Stinson was already drawn to music, with his mother recalling that he came into the world singing, not crying. Since then, he has been honing his craft, experimenting with different styles and genres. He now leads a band that rocks parties and barrooms throughout northern Louisiana, but for River of Song, he performed a solo set on the porch of a riverside saloon in Natchez-under-the-Hill, Mississippi.
With his guitar providing a solid boogie rhythm and a rack harmonica punctuating the verses, Stinson sang good-time, party music that celebrated southern cooking, pretty women, and the bright side of the honky-tonk life. His music is a testament to the region's rich musical heritage and his own unique blend of country, blues, and rock 'n' roll.
