The Cause of It All

EPISODE 5 – RODD BLAND

Rodd is the son of Bobby “Blue” Bland. Known as the “Lion of the Blues,” Bland is an inductee into the Grammy, Rock and Roll, and Blues Halls of Fame. Rodd talks about growing up playing drums behind his dad, lessons learned from his godfather, B.B. King, and keeping his father’s legacy alive with his own Blues Music Award-winning tribute project, Rodd Bland and the Members Only Band.

EPISODE 4 – JOHN HAMMOND

John Paul Hammond is the son of legendary record executive, John Hammond, Sr. The Rev speaks with him about his father’s career discovering Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan and Stevie Ray Vaughan. They also Black about John’s front row seat at the civil rights movement, the great ’60s folk revival, and receiving support from black musicians as a white man playing the blues.

EPISODE 3 – VANEESE THOMAS

Vaneese Thomas is the daughter of famed musician and producer, Rufus Thomas. She talks about the legacy and pain of Memphis, the role of black women in the music business and why she fought singing for so long. The Rev also shares a story about seeing her father perform when he was only five years-old.

EPISODE 2 – ZAKIYA HOOKER

Zakiya Hooker is the daughter of John Lee Hooker, King of the Boogie. She tells The Rev about her father’s little-seen humorous side, how he shielded her from racism as a child, and the first time she realized her father was an icon.

EPISODE 1 – ALEX DIXON

Alex Dixon is the grandson of blues legend, Willie Dixon, who raised him from a child. He shares lessons he learned from his granddad about protecting oneself while keeping one’s heart open. He also tells the story about the time the King of Pop tried to buy the Gershwin of Blues’ songs.