The Blues Was Born in Louisiana, not Mississippi | Chris Thomas King | TEDxLSU

Chris Thomas King, Grammy-winning musician and King of New Orleans Blues, knows the “blues were born in Louisiana, not Mississippi or Texarkana.” In this performance talk, listen to Thomas King as he strips down the myths of blues as a thing to be sad about, avoided and lamented. Listen instead, he says, to the reclaimed history of blues as an anti-establishment celebration of the soul.
Chris Thomas King knows the blues. Son of the legendary musician Tabby Thomas, Chris made his own name as a tour de force in the music world and a champion of the Louisiana blues tradition through his global travels. Through his prolific and varied career as a Grammy-winning musician, actor and mentor, Chris has helped spread the word about the blues and its pivotal role in southern Louisiana’s culture. In addition to his musical work, the Baton Rouge native has appeared in television and film, including memorable turns as Delta blues man Tommy Johnson in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? and as the band leader in the Ray Charles biography "Ray.” He’s also contributed to multiple film soundtracks, including the wildly popular music for O Brother, Where Art Thou? - which earned him a Best Album nod at the 2001 Country Music Awards. When not touring, Chris runs his own recording studio, 21st. Century Blues Studios, in New Orleans.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx