Bluesman Dexter Allen to close out Vicksburg’s Music and Culture Fest

VICKSBURG, Miss. by Don Hill (VDN) — Dexter Allen, former lead guitarist for blues legend Bobby Rush, is scheduled to close out the musical lineup at Washington Street Park during this Saturday’s Music and Culture Fest.

Allen, a Crystal Springs, Miss., native, got his start in gospel music, which he credits as the foundation of his blues career.

“That’s where I cut my teeth,” Allen said. “Most blues men come from the gospel church.”

In fact, after moving to Jackson, it was the church that led Allen in to the orbit of Bobby Rush, after the two met while Allen was playing in the church band.

“I was playing guitar in a local church that Bobby Rush was a member of,” Allen said. “He’d had a bad accident and needed a guitar player, and that’s what opened the door for me to go on the road.”

Allen toured with Rush as his lead guitar player for about seven years before stepping out as a solo artist around 2007.

“He took me under his arm when I was out there,” Allen said. “He showed me the world of the blues music business and exposed me to a lot of things. Around 2007 when I left his band, I told him, ‘I think I want to do this on my own,’ and he said, ‘I think you can. I think you should.’ He’s supported me from that day to this day.”

Since launching his solo career, Allen has recorded more than 120 songs and performed at iconic blues venues across North America. He still plays occasionally with Rush when he’s called.

“Once you play for Bobby, you never stop playing for him,” Allen said. “If he calls me and says, ‘Dex, I need a guitarist,’ I’m there.”

Dexter Allen and his band are scheduled to take the stage at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Washington Street Park stage.