NEWS- Wish you were {t}here: BB King at the Paramount, February 18, 2007

It was as if the whole audience had said to the performer, "Rock me, baby!" and did he ever!

On February 18, "Starr Hill presents B.B. King" sold out the Paramount and thrilled legions of delighted fans with his legendary artistry. Local blues man Eli Cook started the night off with a short but energized solo acoustic set.

Then the 81-year-old King of the Blues took the stage. The talkative, charismatic King mentioned he was nervous because two of his favorite people– John Grisham and Corey Harris– were on hand for the show. But the only evidence of his nervousness was his confession. His performance thrilled the crowd.

Not only did the master sing, but he told a story before every song and persuaded the audience to help him sing some of his classics like "Ain't That Just Like a Woman," and "Rock Me Baby." No B.B. King show is complete without "The Thrill is Gone," and that was here too.

B.B. King is the most energetic 81-year-old man anyone can imagine. Even though he now sits when he plays, he dances in his seat so it's easy to forget he's sitting. Everyone in the audience was thrilled to have a chance to share a magical evening with... the King.

The King and Lucille

Local legend-in-the-making Eli Cook welcomed the master

The audience weren't the only ones having the time of their lives

B.B. King managed to make the vast Paramount space seem intimate.

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