Tommy Dukes, a famed Winslow musician is the dedicatee of this year’s Standin’ On The Corner Festival which took place last weekend in Winslow.
Dukes was born in Mississippi and moved to Winslow in 1954. From his humble beginnings in the Southside neighborhood until now, Dukes has played guitar in the style of some of his favorite musicians.
“I once met B.B. King, probably in the 80s sometime,” Dukes said, “and he asked me what I did. I said, I play a little like you. When I said that, he said you just be yourself. And from that point on, when I play, I am myself.”
According to a permanent exhibit at Winslow’s Old Trails Museum Dukes began his professional music career by playing at the Pinetop Buffet. He played all around Northern Arizona in his early days including stints at the former Prairie Moon Bar.
Dukes has consistently played blues and rhythm and blues both covers and originals. He released his first album, Tommy Dukes, “Keeping the Blues Alive” in 1996.
In 1997, he was the first Northern Arizona musician to be inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame. He has played around the country but considers Northern Arizona his home.
Tommy Butler of the Standin’ On the Corner Foundation said, “Tommy has been a good friend of the festival for many years and an even better ambassador for our town while he busks (performs music) on the corner playing for the thousands of visitors every summer. It was about time we dedicated the festival to him and celebrated our hometown blues hero with his very own special brick.” The brick will be placed with others as part of a memorial at the Standin’ On the Corner Park.
Dukes played two sets at the Standin’ On The Corner Festival and plans on returning next year.
He can also be found playing First Friday events in Flagstaff and Prescott. Visit Tommy Dukes on Facebook for his performance schedule.
