Robert Wilkins, born in 1896 in Hernando, Mississippi, was a pre-war blues singer and guitarist, widely recognized for his dexterity in both fingerpicking and slide guitar work. His musical journey is a blend of secular and religious influences, mirroring the deeply intertwined nature of blues and spirituals in the African American experience of that era. Wilkins recorded various sides in the late 1920s and early 1930s that have since cemented his status as a significant figure in the Delta blues genre.

Known for his narrative storytelling and distinctively smooth vocal style, Wilkins's tunes often told of the human condition, sin, and redemption. A crucial moment in his career came in the 1930s when he turned away from secular music following a violent altercation at a dance where he was performing. He became an ordained minister in the Church of God in Christ, and his subsequent music focused more on gospel themes, although his blues roots remained evident. His song "That's No Way to Get Along" was later adapted by The Rolling Stones and retitled "Prodigal Son," bringing renewed interest in Wilkins's work. Even after his rediscovery during the 1960s folk blues revival, he continued to imbue his performances with a sacred fervor, as seen in recordings like "O Lord I Want You to Help Me" and his album "The Original Rolling Stone." Despite his passing in 1987, Robert Wilkins's musical fabric remains a vital thread in the tapestry of American blues music.

Genres

Acoustic Blues

Memphis Blues

Traditional Blues

Latest Release

I Do Blues

Robert Wilkins

Album - 17 Tracks - Released September 17, 2021