The carpenter who became a blues star in his 60s

Raised on a sharecropping farm in rural Louisiana, Robert Finley grew up surrounded by music, but under strict rules. Gospel was allowed; the blues were forbidden. His deeply religious dad dismissed it as “the devil’s music.” So Robert became a carpenter like his father and played the blues in secret, teaching himself the guitar and writing songs about everyday life. Music remained on the margins as he spent most of his adult life building houses – until his early 60s, when Robert lost his sight to glaucoma and had to give up carpentry. With no other way to earn a living, Robert began busking, singing his own songs on the street. Eventually he was spotted by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, and together they recorded Robert’s first album. Now in his 70s, Robert Finley is touring internationally and releasing new music, including his latest album Hallelujah, Don’t Let the Devil Fool You.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Maryam Maruf

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(Photo: A close up of Robert Finley with a white goatee beard. He is wearing dark glasses and a cowboy hat decorated with stars. Credit: Keith Hagan)