Delta Blues Symposium XIII hosts author and filmmaker Robert Gordon

March 5, 2007 -- In conjunction with Delta Blues Symposium XIII, the Department of English and Philosophy at Arkansas State University welcomes Memphis author and filmmaker Robert Gordon to campus. Mr. Gordon will deliver the symposium’s keynote lecture, “Soul Music Sings the Blues,” accompanied by film footage and a question-and-answer period.

Robert Gordon has written for major music magazines in the United States and England. He is also the author of several books, including “It Came from Memphis,” “Can’t Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters,” “Lost Delta Found,” “The Elvis Treasures,” and “The King on the Road: Elvis Live on Tour, 1954 to 1977.”  

As a filmmaker, Gordon directed the award-winning blues documentary, “All Day and All Night,” featuring B.B. King and Rufus Thomas. Gordon also produced and directed, with filmmaker Morgan Neville, a documentary, “Muddy Waters Can’t Be Satisfied,” that aired on PBS’s American Masters series. Gordon wrote and was an associate producer for “The Road to Memphis,” one of seven feature-length films in Martin Scorsese’s  series, “The Blues.”

Gordon has produced two companion CDs for his book, “It Came from Memphis,” a history of Memphis music and culture. Gordon also produced the Al Green box set, “Anthology,” and received a Grammy award nomination for his liner notes in 1998. Gordon lives in Memphis, Tenn., with his wife Tara and their two children.

Gordon will deliver his lecture on Friday, March 30, at 4:30 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium. His lecture is free and open to the public, as are all Delta Blues Symposium events. For details, contact the Department of English and Philosophy at (870) 972-3043 or see http://www.clt.astate.edu/blues/.