Brian Sivils

ABOUT>

Here's my Story.....

 

A true child of the Delta, Brian Sivils grew up listening to gospel and blues. Theoldest of five born to Leon and Veda Sivils, he spent his childhood in rural AshleyCounty, Arkansas; Jackson, Mississippi; Beaumont, Texas, Granada,Mississippi; and Louisville, Mississippi; landing as a high school freshman in northeast Louisiana. He was educated in the public schools of the Delta, but cut his teeth musically singing in family gospel groups. Upon graduation from Ouachita Parish High School, he entered Northeast Louisiana University, but the birth of his baby brother spurred him to join the U.S. Air Force instead.

 

In the Air Force his music career blossomed, and he learned from Willie Steel, an early drummer for Howlin’ Wolf. To make ends meet as he
raised three children, he also worked as a community chorus leader, lead singer for big bands and pop groups, and served as a road manager, sound engineer, and arranger. He also earned his degree in music from Excelsior University.

 

Brian’s big turning point came when he engineered for blues legend Bobby Rush. He and Rush soon became friends, and after hearing his original work, Rush encouraged him to develop his own solo act and recordings. Sivils has now produced two CD’s of original compositions: “Gizmo Lounge”, “Once Upon A Time In The Delta”, and “Juke Joint Poison” as well as an homage' to Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis and his unique take on childresn music, "5 Little Monkeys" Blues for Kids.  As a solo artist Brian was selected
by readers of Louisiana Road Trips Magazine as the 2009 Entertainer of the
Year.

 

He has researched blues history and provided performances with
multimedia presentations in libraries, theaters, and has performed at the Red River Revel, Delta Fest, the New Orleans PoBoy Preservation Festival, the
Louisiana Catfish Festival, the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, MS, The Bentonia Blues Festival, Baton Rouge Blues Week and the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival in Helena, AR.