B.B. King -- Jammin' With The Big Boys
As an executive with the Federal Express organization, I worked in Memphis for many years. FedEx enjoyed a great and productive presence in Memphis at the time, and we were always looking for ways to give back to the local communities that were so supportive and loyal to us throughout the years.
I was reading the paper one day in my office and I noticed that a famous blues musician had passed away -- found on the street, taken off and buried in some Potter’s Field somewhere – with no one to mourn or remember him. I began to think about the impact that the blues has had on the music world – in fact, the world at large. There were many individuals…Blues musicians right here in Memphis – who had been playing the blues into their 80s and 90s and were still going strong. In so many ways, the Blues put Memphis on the map. I decided that recognition of blues musicians and their art was long overdue in the city that had become so synonymous with this sweet pursuit.
That decision was the beginning of the FedEx-sponsored organization that came to be known as The Blues Foundation – a group committed to recognizing, honoring and showcasing the phenomenon that is The Blues. We had all kinds of exciting plans to stage an annual event on a par with the Grammys, American Music Awards, et. al.
Not long after, I got a call from a gentleman by the name of B.B. King. We met over lunch and he offered to do the foundation a benefit at Mud Island…a stadium smack on an island in the middle of the Mississippi River. Plans were made, dates set, artists booked, venue prepared.
You can imagine the turnout. B.B. was up on the stage. I was behind the scene actively representing FedEx…shaking hands and making introductions. A crowd of 18,000 was at hand -- and the concert was an absolute winner.
During the break between halves, a trio stayed on stage with B.B. to play some random blues tunes and keep the momentum rolling. Then the music faded to background theme and B.B. stepped up to the microphone and asked “Is Frank Maguire in the audience tonight?”
I figured this was the time for me to walk up and accept the plaque acknowledging Federal Express as sponsor of the event and the founder of The Blues Foundation…so I emerged from the wings and joined B.B. on stage.
B.B. did indeed present me with a beautiful plaque, which hangs to this day in my office. I thanked him, thanked the audience for attending, spoke of the commitment of FedEx to expanding awareness, enjoyment and appreciation of The Blues…and then moved to exit the stage.
B.B. says “Waitaminnit here, Mr. Maguire…we got more to talk about. Y’see…someone told me that you like to play The Blues.”
My stomach turned over (and over, and over again).
“We’d all like you to sit in with us for a bit.”
Seeing the look of abject terror on my face, he took a step toward me, smiled that famous smile of his and said…
"Please.”
I turned and looked and the piano man had already left the stage. He waved to me casually from the wings.
So (heart pounding) I sat down.
BB turned to me and bowed with Lucille (his guitar, for you unenlightened), winked at me as if to say, “Don’t worry, Francis…you’re gonna be OK.”
I put my hands on the keyboard, watched BB, listened for the key of C and said to myself “I just might get through this.”
We established the melody and began the riff. I want to tell you, when you circulate the blues, when you go around the room, the guitar guys and the brass and the keyboards delivering the same distinctive melody, it becomes hypnotic. To this day, there’s nothing like it.
First time around, I held my own. Second time, to my profound surprise, I was better. Third time around, I believe I made the grade. We got going and I tell you what, my friends, I was in. the. moment.
B.B. winked at me, then closed his eyes and let the music take over. A very large woman sitting in the front row was overcome. She stood up, swooned, threw her hands in the air and fainted dead away. She took a couple of the audience members down with her.
I couldn’t believe it. I was a bona fide blues man…because B.B. believed in me.