AUBURN – Rounding out the first season of the Sunday Night Blues Series at Auburn’s Midnight Blues Club, legendary bluesman Johnny Rawls will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday.

Rawls was born in Purvis, Miss., the son of a millworker and homemaker. His grandfather played blues guitar and, by the time he was about 12, Rawls was learning how to play music. His high school band director was so impressed with his talent that he asked Rawls to play in his own professional group, a show band that accompanied musicians such as Z.Z. Hill, Little Johnny Taylor, Joe Tex and The Sweet Inspirations when they were in the area.

In 1969, Rawls moved to Milwaukee. In the mid-1970s, he went to work for his old idol, O.V. Wright, as band director. After Wright died in 1980, Rawls joined Little Johnny Taylor and led his band for several years. He eventually began to tour under his own name.

In 1985, he released an LP called “You’re the One.” More recently, he released “Here We Go,” which gained him additional recognition.

The Midnight Blues Club and Restaurant at Court and Main streets is Lewiston-Auburn’s only club dedicated to the blues. This will be the final performance in its 2004 Sunday Night Blues Series.

After taking a brief hiatus, the series will begin again Feb. 13.

For more information, people may call Midnight Blues at (207) 783-9600 or check the club’s Web site at www.3clubs.com for updates as the 2005 season draws closer.

Tickets for Rawls’ show are $8 and may be reserved by calling the club.

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