Elmore James Jr., who grew up as Earnest James (changing his name in the '60s), is now dedicating his life to show the world what his father taught him.

He especially likes to play his dad's big 1952 song Dust My Broom.

James Jr. was born in 1939 in James' hometown of Richmond, Mississippi to a woman who ran a restaurant.

It wasn't until 1951 that James Jr. found out who his biological father was. His, assumed, dad was always a bit meaner to him, but when he found out he wasn't his real son, it began to make sense.

Earnest was one of Elmore's 30-plus children, but none of the others appear to have inherited their fathers' talent.

Elmore was extremely keen to pass on his musical skills in order to perpetuate the Elmore James musical line.

He bought the youngster a guitar, but the teenager was more interested in playing the drums.

Earnest pulled a band together called The Brigadiers that played rocking rhythm and blues by Little Richard and Clyde McPhatter.

Elmore turned up at a gig one day and was horrified, and insisted that his son learned to play the guitar.

For the next four months he tutored the boy and also arranged for fellow slide guitarist Knugg Brooks to give him lessons.

After his father died in 1963 he went on the road with two of his fathers' friends – Willie Nix and Johnny Temple.

Elmore James Jnr plays, with the Big Joe Louis Band, at the Stamford Arts Centre, next Friday, 28 November. Tickets cost £15, £13 concessions.

He is then at Castor Village Hall, as part of the Shakedown Blues events, on Saturday, 29 November. Tickets cost £15, from 01733 380249.

Elsewhere online:
Listen to music by Elmore James Jnr at Last.fm.