Rockin’ Johnny Burgin is a blues guitarist and singer who came up in the Chicago blues scene during the 1990s and recorded with Delmark Records. He became friends with Arkansas native and veteran blues singer Tail Dragger Jones who took Burgin under his wing and introduced him to the blues world of Chicago's West Side. “I’ll always owe him a debt of gratitude 'cause he hired me when I could hardly play at all.” When Jones was convicted of manslaughter and sent to prison, Burgin went to the prison with his band and performed a show featuring Jones on vocals. After a short time away from music, Burgin is back to touring and recording and is busier than ever. “Going away from music, it kinda hurt my soul, man. It’s not the right thing for me.”
Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Rockin' Johnny Burgin at Bubba's Blues Corner; Helena, Arkansas, 2017
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
