Raful neal biography

Some musicians in the blues-rich city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, claim the title of "King of the Blues," but the "Father of the Blues" -- literally -- can only be Raful Neal.

This gentle giant of a man has sired more great blues performers than anyone in the state capital, and perhaps more than anyone on the planet. Eight of his 11 children are excellent-to-world-class players, and the others can hang with the family (or anyone else) on stage for part of a blues show. The Neals are taking their place with the Nevilles or the Marsalises as a Louisiana musical dynasty.

Raful Neal, blessed with a powerful, soul-drenched voice and a harmonica style reminiscent of Little Walter, can get the well-dressed, middle-aged ladies that frequent his South Louisiana performances screaming when he belts out his tunes. Many have been his fans since he started playing at the age of

"We would go to the Temple on North Boulevard and catch all the stars. White kids would sit on their c