The rhythm section chugged the upbeat southern soul groove of “Get It While You Can” when the tall, sender Robert Finley sauntered on the stage. Dressed sharp and wearing his cowboy hat, his daughter and backup vocalist Christy Johnson escorted him.
FInley greeting the crowd:
I’m going to take time to do this before I get started. Because I would like everybody to take it personally when I say if it wasn’t you, I wouldn’t be doing what I do. That is my way of stopping and sayin’, ‘I love you too!’
The crow roared “Here we go.” Enter a high pitched Fender Rhodes keyboard building a tension about to break like a damn into the full song. “Ya ready?” Finley asked enthusiastically.
For the next 35 minutes, Finley and his band laid out eight of his brilliant blues and southern soul compositions. A short set but wildly received by The Black Key’s audience. For several dates, Finley has been the opening act with Peaches N’ Kream World Tour ’26.
Closing the set with “I Wanna Thank You” served as the perfect sentiment for his life’s outlook on it all. This gratitude was contagious. Something we can use more of in our world of uncertainty.
Finley has had six releases over the past ten years starting in his early 60s. Recording on Dan Auerbach’s label Easy Eye Sound, Twice during the Black Key’s show, Auerbach had a shout out for Finley, and the crowd cheered. He has his musical family that he can count on.
From busking, to opening an act for a crowd of 6,000, he truly has a storied journey. This 72-year-old, legally blind, Louisianan blues man is the embodiment of talent, life experience, and faith.
Set List:
“Get It While You Can” — Goin’ Platinum!
“Medicine Woman” — Goin’ Platinum!
“Helping Hand” — Hallelujah! Don’t Let The Devil Fool Ya
“I Can Feel Your Pain” — Sharecropper’s Son
“Real Love Is Like Hard Time” — Goin’ Platinum!
“Sharecropper’s Son” — Sharecropper’s Son
“Souled Out on You” — Sharecropper’s Son
“I Wanna Thank You” — Hallelujah! Don’t Let The Devil Fool Ya
