NEW... Beautiful hardcover, picture book celebrating the life and music of the incomparable bluesman Cedell Davis! We were lucky enough to have Cedell play here at my Cat Head store a couple of times (in addition to multiple Juke Joint Festival performances), and it was always amazing. This new book tells the inspiring story of his overcoming polio, a juke-joint trampling and the trials and tribulations of the blues life. Fantastic story and gorgeous artwork. It's supposed to be a kids' book, but I'm here to tell you that it's also for adults. Highly recommended. - Roger Stolle, Cat Head store

Description:

Young CeDell Davis learns to play the blues unlike anyone else—with his guitar upside down and a butterknife in his hand—and becomes a legendary musician.

Renowned Black illustrator R. Gregory Christie brings the blues legend to life in this nonfiction picture book for ages 7–10.

For young CeDell Davis, the blues cut straight to his heart. He wanted to play, but he had no instrument. He became an inventor: nailing wire and a rusty barrel ring to the side of his house so he could jam all day.

When he finally got a real guitar, CeDell played better than ever–but when he was about 10 years old, his body grew weak. After years spent battling polio in the hospital, he was finally well enough to come home and dust off his guitar. But he couldn’t play it. Polio had weakened his left, fretting hand and stiffened his right, strumming hand. Turning his guitar upside down and grabbing a butterknife from the kitchen, CeDell invented a whole new way to play the blues—a way that would one day get him up on stage, jamming with his musical idols.