Award-Winning Author & Musician
Folklorist Ethnomusicologist African American Studies American Studies
Popular Culture Lecturer and Consultant
My Publications
Up Jumped the Devil: The Real Life of Robert Johnson - Chicago Review Press (2019)
This definitive biography of Robert Johnson has sold out of 5 printings of the First Edition. It is now available in paperback. The UK edition is still selling vibrantly, and the French edition has gone into its second edition as a paperback. Brazilian, Spanish, German, and Japanese editions are in the works.
It has won more awards than any other book on the blues:as won more awards than any other book on the blues:
WINNER: 2020 Penderyn Prize for the Best Music Book (UK)
WINNER: 2020 Living Blues Critics Poll for the Best Blues Book of the Year
WINNER: 2020 Living Blues Reader’s Poll for the Best Blues Book of 2019
WINNER: ARSC (Association of Recorded Sound Collections) Award for Excellence Best Historical Research In Recorded Blues, R&B, Gospel or Soul Music
What They're Saying About Up Jumped the Devil: The Real Life of Robert Johnson
“This is the book the blues world has been waiting for. Authored by two uniquely qualified scholars following years of extensive interviews and exhaustive research, the result is fascinating, important, and factual, without agenda or embellished narrative. . . . It is in my view a far more moving account than many others that have been obscured by so much fantasy. It’s a can’t-put-it-down kind of book—an exciting, great read.” —Rory Block, celebrated acoustic blues guitarist/singer and five-time Blues Music Award winner
"Finally an in-depth biography of one of the greatest blues musicians ever. The clearing up of the myths and mysteries is a relief. The work of the authors is meticulous. They detail Robert Johnson's journey with facts, creating a full view of his life and times, his friends and influences, so the reader has a comprehensive understanding of how he came to be the greatest of the Delta bluesmen. I am blown away!" —John Hammond, Jr., eight-time Blues Music Award winner, Grammy winner, member of the Blues Hall of Fame
“Conforth and Wardlow have done amazing research, turning up a wealth of new details and clearing up mysteries I never imagined could be solved. This is the definitive Robert Johnson biography, and no one interested in his life, his legend, or his music can afford to miss it. I read it in one sitting, and will reread it gratefully in the future.” —Elijah Wald, author of Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues
“Up Jumped the Devil is a tremendously important work. It not only finally reveals everything we wanted to know about Robert Johnson, but will rewrite the history of the blues.” —Lawrence Cohn, Grammy-winning producer of Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings and author of Nothing But the Blues
“This in-depth portrait of Johnson’s life and times will be mighty hard to improve upon.” --Kirkus Reviews
“Some people will tell you that blues legend Robert Johnson lived under a curse, but it’s actually research into Johnson’s life that’s been bedeviled. Three of my friends died before publishing their books on him, and for a long time I’ve feared we might never get a reliable account of this artist’s life and times. Finally the curse has been lifted. Bruce Conforth and Gayle Dean Wardlow started researching Robert Johnson and the Delta blues tradition more than a half-century ago, and they are now sharing their hard-won insights into the most mysterious man in the annals of American music. If you want the straight story on Robert Johnson, this is where you start.” —Ted Gioia, author of Delta Blues and The History of Jazz
“As the grandson of the iconic blues singer Robert Johnson, I’m honored that the truth is finally being revealed. . . . Up Jumped the Devil contains the real story of his life and does away with all the myths.” —Steven Johnson, vice president, Robert Johnson Blues Foundation
"an important and revealing new biography." —Barry Mazor, Chapter 16
“A compelling narrative of the life of Robert Johnson, succinct and poignant, revealing the immensity of his blues and the mysteries of the man, debunking myths that have overshadowed the truth while illuminating the memories and first-person accounts diligently collected by the authors over more than five decades.” —Alan Govenar, author of Texas Blues, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Stompin’ at the Savoy
“It is really incredible that after all these years celebrating the work of Robert Johnson, new information still keeps emerging. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this man’s haunting legacy.” —John Mayall, OBE, legendary blues musician and member, Blues Hall of Fame
“Up Jumped the Devil gives us Robert Johnson the man, as opposed to the myth that developed. As such it is required reading for any blues fan, and indeed, for any serious music fan.” --Down at the Crossroads
"This will be a must for those interested in vernacular music history and one of the blues' greatest artists." --Ron Weinstock from In a Blue Mood blog
"The essential document for anyone interested in the devil's music which [Johnson] will always embody." --Kris Needs in MOJO
“It’s the most comprehensive biography yet of this fascinating figure.” --Acoustic Guitar Magazine
"Robert Leroy Johnson's legend needs this book." — Goldmine Magazine
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African American Folksong and American Cultural Politics - Rowman and Littlefield (2014)
"This is a fascinating book. Although it does not solve all the riddles of (field collecting
African American protest songs) it is probably as close as we will ever get to doing so.”
Dick Weissman 100 Books Every Folk Music Fan Should Own
“Those who want to know more about the history of the American Left and African American history will find this a fascinating read.”
Solidarity Journal (Jan/Feb 2015)
“Bruce M. Conforth’s long-awaited African American Folksong and American Cultural Politics provides a more complete picture of the collection of African American songs and stories recorded during the 1920s and 1930s.
African American Folksong and American Cultural Politics deserves to be hailed for its contribution to the study of the American left’s investment in African American culture.
- Jesse P. Karlsberg, Emory University 2014
"African American Folksong and American Cultural Politics will appeal to students and scholars in the fields of American social and political history, African American studies, the history of American folk music, and ethnomusicology.
– Goodreads (July 2014)
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
2016 – “The Business of Robert Johnson Fakery” Living Blues, Issue 241, Vol. 47, #1 pp. 6-7.
Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi
2013 - “The Death of Robert Johnson’s Wife” Living Blues, Issue 226, Vol. 44, #4 pp. 4-7.
Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi
2012 - “Enduring Questions: Pop Culture Universe” The Swinging Sixties. ABC-CLIO
http://popculture.abc-clio.com/Analyze/Display/1784764 December 2012
2012 - “What Comes After the Hipster? Flavorwire http://flavorwire.com/269261/what-comes-
after-the-hipster-we-ask-the-experts March 2012
2008 - “Ike Zimmerman: The X in Robert Johnson’s Crossroads” Living Blues, Issue 194, Vol. 39, #1
pp. 68-73. Center for the Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi
2006 - Book Review. Michael Taft. Talkin’ to Myself: Blues Lyrics, 1921-1942.
Routledge New York and London, July 22, 2005. xxiii, 718 pages Paperback (ISBN:
041597378) – Journal of Folklore Research – July 2006
2006 - Book Review. Barry Lee Pearson. Jook Right On: Blues Stories and Blues Storytellers,
University of Tennessee, 2005 – Journal of Folklore Research – July 2006 (1296 words)
1995 - "Rock and Roll” Encyclopedia entry for AMERICAN FOLKLORE: AN ENCYCLOPEDIA, published
by Garland Press
1990 - "Popular Culture, Process, and Tradition” Western Folklore - Vol. 49, July 1990, #3,
Pp. 306-313
1988 - "The Centennial Index” Journal of American Folklore Vol. 101, No 402 - 1988
1988 - "Scandalize My Name: Black Imagery in American Popular Music" review in
Ethnomusicology: Journal of the Society for Ethnomusicology Vol. 30, #1, Winter 1986, pp.
187-188
1985 - "Wither Goeth Folk Music?" Folklore Forum Vol. 18, #1, 1985, pp. 76-83
1985 - "Contemporary Folk Music” Folklore Forum Vol. 18, #1, 1985, pp. 103-107
1985 - "Ethnographic Anomalies and Technical Puzzles in the Reproduction of Wax Cylinder
Recordings" with Anthony Seeger and Nancy Cassell. Proceedings of the International
Symposium on B. Pilsudski's Phonographic Records and Ainu Culture Hokkaido University,
Sapporo, Japan, pp. 39-54, 1985
1984 - "Mother of the Blues: A Study of Ma Rainey" review in Ethnomusicology: Journal of the
Society for EthnomusicologyVol. 28, #3, September 1984, pp. 566-567
1984 - "Be Here Now: Experientiality in Oral Narrative” Folklore Forum Vol. 17, #2, 1984,
pp.186- 199
1983 - "Muddy Waters - 1915-1983: A Life of the Blues” Folklore Forum Vol. 16, #2, 1983,
Pp. 12-14
1982 - "Metaphor and the Audio-Communicatory Event: New Modes of Research” Folklore
Forum Vol.15, #1, 1982, pp. 39-50
1982 - "Old Friends: An Examination of Folk Music Album Rationale” Ethnomusicology:
Journal of the Society for Ethnomusicology Vol. XXVI, No. 2, 1982, pp. 493-495
Unrefereed Publications:
2015 – “A re-examination of the alleged 3rdphoto of Robert Johnson” published in The Guardian
May 23, 2015 under the title “Robert Johnson photo does not show the blues legend,
music experts say”. Article de-bunking the alleged 3rd photo of the blues musician co-
signed by 48 international blues scholars and disseminated by over 1,000 online news
sites and printed media.
2014 - “The Blues and the American Dream” Clash Magazine: The American Dream Issue Issue 96,
London, England. 2014, pp. 21-26
2011 - Foreword for Handmade Music Factory: The Ultimate Guide to Making Foot-Stompin’-Good
Instruments by Michael Orr. Fox-Chapel Publishing
2011 - “Robert Johnson: The Birth of a Legend” Liner notes for Robert Johnson Centennial Concert
– University Musical Society, February
SELECTED LECTURES / CONFERENCE PAPERS / KEYNOTE ADDRESSES / PANELS
2021 – “Damn Right I Got The Blues: Music and Agency in the Great Migration” Cultural Legacies of the Great Migration Symposium, DePauw University, Feb. 24 & 25
2021 - “Music: The Roots of Our Rhythm” Leadership for Society – Race and Power Conference, Stanford University, Feb 22
2019 – Featured performer principle narrator, and scholar for Netflix documentary on blues musician Robert Johnson – Devil at the Crossroads
2015 - “The Roots of American Popular Music” ProfTalks Lecture – Toronto, Ontario, April 25
“Buddy Guy- A Man and the Blues” - Ann Arbor District Library – March 14
2014 –“Why Music Matters” – Rackham Graduate School – November 24
“American Popular Music” Oscher Lifelong Learning Center – November 5
American Epic PBS and BBC series produced by Robert Redford in conjunction with the White House cultural series – expert on-film analysis commentator.
“Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited Reconsidered” Ann Arbor Summer Festival Literary Series. June 30
“The Arrival of B.B. King” – Michigan Theatre/Ann Arbor District Library – May 29
“African American Protest in Song Reconsidered” - Keynote Address – Race in the Americas Conference - University of Sunderland – United Kingdom – May 9
2013 - “Cold Iron Shackles: Music and Social Change” – Delta Blues Museum, Clarksdale, Miss. (June 5)
2011 - Bentley Historical Library and Ann Arbor Public Library
Narrator and interviewee for documentary being produced for the 40th anniversary of the John Lennon “Free John Sinclair” concert at Crisler Arena (April 8)
University Musical Society: Master of Ceremonies - Robert Johnson Centennial Concert, Hill Auditorium (Also wrote the program notes for the concert) (February 10)
University Musical Society: “Blues At The Crossroads” Lecture on the life of Robert Johnson, Zingerman’s Roadhouse, Ann Arbor (February 9)
University Musical Society: “The Blues According to Robert Johnson” Concert Performance and lecture, Cobblestone Farm and Museum, Ann Arbor (February 7)
2010 - University Musical Society: “East Coast String Band Music” Concert Performance and
lecture, Cobblestone Farm and Museum, Ann Arbor (November 30)
University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) Provided commentary and narration
for a UMMA video production – “Roots In The Ordinary” discussing the link between American roots music and folk art. (November 10)
(available for viewing at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgx8UlWI4vQ)
“Building the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum from Scratch: Politics and Public Perception” UMMA Museum Theme Semester evening speaker (Feb. 24)
2008 - “Understanding American Culture” Rackham Graduate Student Association
2007 - Keynote address for induction ceremony of UM chapter of NSCS (National Society of Collegiate Scholars)
“The Life of Robert Johnson” PROFS (Professors Reaching for Students) sponsored by UM Mortar Board
1993 - "Who owns American popular culture” American Folklore Society annual meeting
"What is rock and whose music is it anyway?"
University of Missouri - International Conference of Popular Music - Keynote Address
"Music as visual art” Images and Ideas Conference - Society of Graphic Artists - Keynote Address
"Rock and Roll is here to stay” 5th Annual Undercurrents National Music Conference - Keynote Address
1992 - "A Hard Day's Night: Creating a Museum” Midwest Society of Archivists
"The Psychedelic Solution" 6th Annual Case Western Reserve University Conference on Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll
"The Aesthetics of Self, or Practice Makes Purpose” Indiana University Horizons of
Knowledge Invited Lecturer
1991 - Coordinated and moderated Bicentennial Committee's celebration of the Bill of Rights - Free Speech Conference, Cleveland City Club
1990 - "Three Great Guys, Three Great Chords: Minimalist Tendencies in Popular Culture” American Folklore Society Conference
"American Countercultures, Past and Present” Indiana University American Studies Luncheon Series
"The Culture of the 60s” IU Honors Division, Month-long lecture series
1989 - "Popular Arts, Process, and Tradition” American Folklore Society Conference
"The Culture of the 60s” IU Honors Division, Month-long lecture series
1989 - "Popular Arts, Process, and Tradition” American Folklore Society Conference
"The Vision of Popular Music in a "class-ical" World” Joint meeting of the Sonneck Society and the Association for Popular Music
1986 - "The Traditionalizing of Rock and Roll” American Folklore Society Conference
"White Boy's Blues in a Bar World” American Folklore Society Conference
"Black Folksongs of Protest in the Prisons” with Marianne Fisher-Giorlando, American Societies of Criminologists Conference
1985 - "Folksong and the W.P.A. Writer's Project” American Folklore Society Conference
1984 - "American History as seen through 20th Century American Sheet Music" Midwest Popular Culture Association Conference
"Black Music and Urban Migration" Indiana Historical Society Conference
"The Subjectivity of American Music Recordings from the Field” Midwest Chapter of the Society for Ethnomusicology
"American History and Popular Culture: A Corroborative View” National Museum of American History, The Smithsonian Institution
MEDIA PRESENTATIONS
Extensive experience as an invited guest on radio and television programs, as well as hundreds of interviews with major American and international newspapers
Radio:
2019 - Many radio and media interviews regarding new Johnson biography including Sound Opinions (NPR), Downbeat Magazine, Acoustic Guitar Player Magazine, BBC Radio 2, etc.
2014 - 107.one radio – Ann Arbor – interview about the movie Inside Llewyn Davis and the culture of the folk revival – January 9
2013 - Jazz901 – Rochester, New York – interview about African American folksongs and songs of protest (August 25)
KFFA – King Biscuit Flower Hour radio show, Helena, Arkansas – interview about Delta blues – June 6
2007 - WPRX interview concerning B.B. King
1991-1994 - All major Cleveland stations,
WBZ - Boston, KOA - Denver, Talk America - Nationally syndicated show,
WNEW - New York, With Good Reason - Virginia National Public Radio
Television: - All major Cleveland stations,
WABC TV - Good Morning America, WABC affiliate - San Francisco
International Media:
Radio: - Radio Italia, Tokyo Today, Japanese Morning Buzz, and Radio Budapest, Voice of America
Television: BBC, Hungarian Television