Capitol Park Museum hosts Chris Thomas King Book Signing and Presentation
BATON ROUGE, La (press release) – The Capitol Park Museum is hosting Chris Thomas King for a book presentation and signing on Saturday, May 21, at 1:00 p.m. King’s book, The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music and Culture, released in 2021, is an untold counternarrative blues history and the first written by an African American blues artist. The book signing is part of the Capitol Park Museum’s Discovery Day, which also includes the presentation and all museum exhibitions such as the stunning Louisiana music display in our permanent galleries and Me Got Fiyo: The Professor Longhair Centennial.
Multi-talented Grammy Award-winning blues artist, producer, composer and actor Chris Thomas King was born in Baton Rouge. His father, Tabby Thomas, was a well-respected blues musician and owner of the famed Baton Rouge blues club Tabby’s Blues Box and Heritage Hall, originally located at 1314 North Boulevard.
King grew up among the finest blues musicians at his father’s club and began touring with stars like Buddy Guy and B. B. King in his teens. His music was not only influenced by the blues, but also early hip-hop and country music, two styles he fuses to create his own unique sound. King is one of the most successful blues musicians of his generation, having sold more than ten million records in the United States. He owns and manages his own recording studio, 21st Century Blues Studios, where he produces not only his own music but also film soundtracks. King’s recent music includes the album Angola and the EP Les Bleus: Made in Louisiana. A respected actor and film composer, King garnered high praise for his role as Delta blues man Tommy Johnson in his film debut, O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), and won several awards, including Country Music and Grammy Awards for his contribution to the score.
The Capitol Park Museum is also featuring the exhibition Me Got Fiyo: The Professor Longhair Centennial, which tells the story of the most beloved and influential pianist in New Orleans history: Henry Roeland Byrd, aka Professor Longhair. The Bogalusa, Louisiana, native created rhythms and riffs that captured the sounds of the diverse population of New Orleans, while his lyrics portrayed the Crescent City’s unique characters and colorful legends. The centennial of his birth in 2018 gave us all a reason to listen to him anew and reassess his greatness. The exhibit will be on display through August 6.
Museum admission is $5.00 for Discovery Day. Museum Members and children 6 and under are admitted free. Located at 660 North 4th Street, Baton Rouge, the Museum is directly across from the State Capitol. The Capitol Park Museum is a Louisiana State Museum. For more information, please call 225-342-5428 or visit the Capitol Park Museum webpage.
