R. L., Rl, Robert Lee, Rural, Ruel or Rule

R. L. Burnside was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist who lived much of his life in and around Holly Springs, Mississippi. He played music for much of his life, but did not receive much attention until the early 1990s. In the latter half of the 1990s, Burnside recorded and toured with Jon Spencer, garnering crossover appeal and introducing his music to a new fan base within the punk and garage rock scene.

RL Burnside Lowell Folk Festival Lowell, MA Friday July 23rd, 1993

1926–1959: Early years
 
Burnside was born in 1926 to Earnest Burnside and Josie, in Harmontown, or College Hill, or Blackwater Creek. All of which are in the rural part of Lafayette County, Mississippi, United States, close to the area that would be covered by Sardis lake a few years later. His first name is variously given as R. L., Rl, Robert Lee, Rural, Ruel or Rule. His father left home early on, and he grew up with his mother, grandparents, and several siblings.
Although he tried the harmonica, then dabbled in guitar playing ever since he was 16, Burnside has reported he first played in public at age 21 or 22. He learned mostly from Mississippi Fred McDowell, who lived nearby since Burnside was a child. He first heard his playing at age 7 or 8, and eventually joined his gigs to play a late set. Other local teachers were his uncle-in-law Ranie Burnette, who was a popular player from Senatobia, Son Hibbler, Jesse Vortis, and Burnside's brother-in-law. Burnside cited church singing and fife and drum picnics as elements of his childhood's musical landscape, and Muddy Waters, Lightnin' Hopkins and John Lee Hooker as influences in adulthood.
In the late 1940s he moved to Chicago, where his father had lived since he separated from his mother, in the hope of finding better economic opportunities. He did find jobs at metal and glass factories, had the company of Muddy Waters (his cousin-in-law) and enjoyed the modern blues scene at Maxwell Street. But things did not turn out as he had hoped; within the span of one year his father, two brothers, and two uncles were all murdered in the city.
 
Three years after he came, Burnside went back south, and married Alice Mae Taylor in 1949 or 1950, his second marriage. The 1950s were characterized by circles of relocation between Memphis, Tennessee, the Mississippi Delta and the hill country. The time in the Delta allowed him to meet bluesmen Robert Lockwood, Jr. and Aleck "Rice" Miller. It seems it was around that time that Burnside killed a man at a craps game, was convicted of murder and incarcerated in Parchman Farm. He would later relate that his boss at the time had arranged to release him after six months, as he needed Burnside's skills as a tractor driver.

RL Burnside Lowell Folk Festival Lowell, MA Friday July 23rd, 1993