Albert Cummings Discusses His Music, Career, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and the Blues

For Albert Cummings, the year has already been a monumental success. The blues singer-songwriter released his latest album, Strong, in February via Ivy Music Company. The release of that record has been met with nothing but critical and commercial praise. In fact, Strong debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, a massive success for an artist who seems to get better with every passing album. Strong features a dynamic blend of blues, rock, and raw emotion that endears Cummings to his fans. Featuring twelve new tracks, the album is a showcase for his still-evolving songwriting talents. Strong’s guitar playing is one of the highlights of this record, paying homage to the blues greats that have preceded him.

Thematically, Strong is a sonic exploration of life’s many highs and lows. It touches on the trials and tribulations of love and heartbreak. It’s all delivered with a raw intensity that Cummings has become known for over the years. The album features several rousing guitar solos and some of Cummings’ most soulful lyrics. It all speaks to the passion and dedication that Cummings and his band always ensure to pour into the recording process.

Cummings joins us today for a chat about his music, his career, and his feelings on the current status of the blues as a genre.

How would you describe your music?

Albert Cummings: “My music is the meal created when Hank Williams Jr., B.B. King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan are all making dinner!”

What’s the best criticism you’ve ever received about your music or performance?

“I’m not sure if this was criticism or advice. I remember when I first started out, I wanted to play at this venue really badly. I finally got a gig there, and when we played it, there was only one guy who was there the entire night. After the gig, I went and sat with him, and he could sense that I was really bummed out.

“He told me that I have to learn to play to the chairs. It was totally what I needed to hear. To me,, it means that it doesn’t matter how many people are in the audience. You have to give your all whether there is one or 10,000 people. You have to play like it’s your last chance ever and learn not to worry about anything else.”

What is the story behind your performing name?

“Well, obviously, this is a pretty easy one since it’s just Albert Cummings. When I first started out, I named my band The Swamp Yankees. One night, I was sitting with B.B. King, and he told me the story of why he named his band B.B. King. He said he did that because if his band didn’t show up, he could do the show himself, and he’d fulfill the contract. From that moment on, I was Albert Cummings!”

Do you ever get stage fright? What’s your solution for it?

“I don’t know if you’d call it stage fright, but I get a feeling of excitement, which I think some people experience and think it’s their nerves. This goes to another conversation I had with the master B.B. King. He told me that after 60 years of performing, he still felt jittery before every show. I look at that feeling as a good thing. It’s not nerves, it’s just pure excitement, and I embrace it with enthusiasm and harness that energy for a better show.”

What do you like most about playing music?

“To me, it’s all about the human connection that happens. I want people to feel my music. There is nothing better than the connection I feel with an audience where we’re all in the same moment together. It feeds me something that nothing else can.”

Albert Cummings ‘Strong’ album artwork

What do you think of the current state of the blues?

“I think it’s starting to blow up, but it has just begun. Modern blues is becoming more popular. Why is this? Because there aren’t any new styles of music coming out. Pop will always appeal to young kids because that’s where the money is being spent by marketing. Most corporate marketing people don’t know anything about what good music is. The whole music industry is based on what teenage girls will have their parents buy them. It’s popularity, and that usually never has sustaining power. What’s great about the blues is it offers emotions and stories and real life.

“It’s also what older rock stars are performing more openly now. Don’t forget the Rolling Stones set out to be the best blues band in the world. Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and Hendrix were all blues bands. Eric Clapton has been the most successful blues artist and stayed true to the genre. Everyone loves Clapton. Blues was extremely popular back then because it offers music you could feel.

“Now, after several decades, there is no longer a music out there that people can go to for personal satisfaction and relatability. I’m seeing more and more bands forming, even just for fun, and I’m also seeing major rock stars like Slash coming out with blues records. Blues is used in all the commercials because it’s becoming popular again. We are seeing more and more people at shows, and a lot of them tell me after that they had no idea they were blues fans but now they’re hooked. It’s awesome what’s happening, and I am super excited about the next chapter in blues music.”

Politics and music. Yay, nay or what the hay?

“I absolutely hate it when a musician brings up politics on a stage. I don’t care which side of the fence they’re on. And I think it’s one of the stupidest things an artist can do. If you want to talk politics then go run for office and get off the stage. People go to a show to relax and leave all of that propaganda behind. Why would anyone try to deliberately offend half of their audience? It’s just plain ignorance. My shows will never have politics brought up.

“My main agenda is to share a connection with my audience and to entertain them. I don’t care what or who they are, I want them to enjoy themselves and forget about everything except living in that moment. That’s my job. Just because someone has an opinion doesn’t make them right.”

Who would you be most amazed to see front row at one of your shows?

“I think I’d be most amazed if I saw Eric Clapton sitting in the front row. I’d be amazed if he was sitting in the back row! Mr. Clapton is one of my biggest idols. I think he is an absolute genius, and I have the utmost respect for him. Not only is he an incredible guitar player, but he’s a wonderful vocalist. Above all he is an exceptional entertainer and writer.

“But at the end of the day, he is apparently a wonderful human being. I say apparently because I’ve never had the privilege of meeting him. I’ve had mutual friends. B.B. King would talk about him a lot with me, but for some reason, I’ve just never had the honor to meet him. It will remain my dream to meet him until that day happens!”