The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) welcomed three-time Grammy-winning blues icon Bobby Rush to campus on Nov. 5 for an exclusive interview, produced by students in the Media and Entertainment Arts program within the School of Media and Communication, as part of its Established Artists and Recording Students (EARS) series.
Through a combination of both comedic and heartfelt stories interspersed with soulful harmonica performances, 91-year-old Bobby Rush shared his remarkable journey through the music industry with Southern Miss students.
Founded in 2023 and led by Assistant Professor Dr. Will Thompson, EARS is an initiative that provides students with hands-on experience in professional audio and video production. By pairing students with established artists, it encourages the development of valuable connections and skills, and grounds student experiences in authentic learning conditions.
“The beauty of an initiative like EARS is that it places students in real-world situations,” said Dr. Thompson. “The goal is for students to work directly with the artist, as they would in professional environments. Each artist brings something unique to the world through sound and personal connections, and students understand this deeply.”
Until this venture, students have focused solely on creating music video recordings. As the first of its kind, the interview with Bobby Rush signified a step up for the program in the diversification of their undertakings.
“This was our first interview-style production, and the experience was invaluable,” said participant Karris Shaida Gunalda, a Media and Entertainment Arts (Video Arts) candidate from Madison, Miss. “We were lucky to have Bobby Rush here today. He’s a legend!”
With a career spanning more than 70 years and a discography that includes over 400 songs, Blues Hall of Famer Bobby Rush is indeed a legend. The energy and charisma that he is known for was on full display throughout the interview, where Rush shared not only his humor and music but also deeply moving and personal moments with the interviewer and audience.
In one particularly striking instance, Rush discussed the preeminence of the blues genre. “The blues is the mother of all music. If you don’t like the blues, you probably don’t like your mother,” he quipped, bringing both laughter and reflection to the room.
Insightful questions from Bethal Miles, Student Media Center news anchor and Digital Journalism candidate from Chicago, Ill., highlighted Rush’s resilience, and his ability to navigate the music industry during an era of racial and social upheaval. Shared ties to the Windy City inspired an instantaneous connection between Miles and Rush, and the warmth between the two was palpable as they volleyed back and forth.
For Miles, the opportunity to sit down with Rush was unforgettable. “I’ve never interviewed anyone who’s won a Grammy. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to not only hear about his journey of life, but also to watch a legend perform up close and in person,” Miles said of the experience, which he also described as a new core memory.
Rush’s candid reflections on his career, the evolution of blues, and the importance of preserving its legacy left a lasting impression. “This audience needs me because there aren’t but a few guys left at my age who have done what I’ve done,” Rush explained.
By working directly with established artists, students gain both technical experience and real-world connection. Experiences like this collaboration set a high bar for what the program can achieve. As it continues to grow, this initiative serves as an example of USM’s commitment to building bridges between education and the professional world that it offers.
The EARS series is made possible by the generous support of Partners for the Arts. Discover the Southern Miss Media and Entertainment Arts program.