The mood at Mississippi State University’s Bettersworth Auditorium in Lee Hall was electric with anticipation. As the brass warmed up with solo intros and smooth jazz runs, a lone Gibson ES-345 guitar stood next to a worn, wooden chair near the middle of the stage with the single spotlight shimmering off the ebony lacquer finish of the stringed instrument. After sufficient sound check and showmanship from trumpeters and saxophonists, B.B. King walked onto the stage and the audience burst into raucous cheers. He bowed for his fans and seated himself on the wooden chair — took the time to straighten his gold blazer — and then picked up “Lucille” (his name for the Gibson). With his electronic raconteur in hand, B.B. King and company jumped into a flavorful blues jam to start the show. 
Riley B. King was born on a cotton plantation outside of Berclair, near Indianola, Miss., in 1925 to Albert King and Nora Ella Far. At 12 years old, he purchased his first guitar for $15, and the rest is history. After years of touring with gospel groups at church areas in Mississippi, B.B. (abbreviated for Blues Boy) began recording with RPM records and, soon into the 1950s, King had become one of the most prominent names in R&B music. Never forgetting his roots, King has always made time to visit his home state for performances and, more importantly, visit family. His great-granddaughter can attest to this fact. Destiny Johnson is a kinesiology major at Mississippi State University and is related to King on her mother’s side. Having a blues legend as a relative sounds burdensome, but Johnson takes it in stride.
“First and foremost, he’s my grandfather, and I love him dearly,” Johnson said. 
Johnson said she is one of King’s biggest fans and has attended more of her great-granddad’s shows than she can count. She has traveled as far as California to attend a concert. When she does get to visit with her great-grandfather, Johnson said she enjoys the words of wisdom, joke cracking and stories he has to share with her. Johnson also said she was not aware of her family fame until she was older.
“I was about six years old, and I saw that M&M commercial (starring King), and I said, ‘Grandaddy, you are on television!'” Johnson said. 
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee would soon come full circle from his great-granddaughter’s television to her college for a blues concert.
The B.B. King Band had just finished “Rock Me Baby” when someone in the crowd boldly suggested “The Thrill is Gone,” one of King’s greatest hits. King gave a wide grin, and turned to his band to see if it could grant the request. 
“I think we’ll do as the lady says,” King said.
Right from the opening 10-note guitar lick, the crowd went absolutely wild with applause. King’s wizened hands still slide up and down Lucille’s ebony and mother of pearl neck with the same vitality and feeling since the mournful soul tune was first recorded. The backing drums and organ only served to punctuate every beat from the heart of both man and instrument at center stage.
Thanking his fans for coming one last time, King said, “I dedicate this next one to all my people … all you wonderful people out there.”
After two deep bows from the blues icon and his band, they exited the auditorium to make their way to the tour bus. I was waiting near the front of the bus and before he boarded I asked, “Mr. King, what makes you play the way you play?” He looked at me with a smile and said, “Cause I’m broke!”
The entire night was truly a testament to the good nature, skill and passion of the luminary guitarist from northwest Mississippi. I will never forget the sounds of the night from the sultry saxophone, beating drums, soaring trumpet to the singing rhythm and blues of Lucille at the hands of her master, Mr. B.B. King.