Paul "Delta Boy" Ruzenski performs as a solo Bottle Neck Slide Guitarist in the tradition of Son House, Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters; incorporating original songs into his performance.
His involvement in this music goes back to the early1970's.
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, 1972... Paul has his first meeting with James Cotton. "I told Cotton that the most important thing in my life was to be a real Blues player." Cotton said "if you are serious, go see Theresa at her club in Chicago, and tell her that I sent you. She will take care of you if your heart is in the right place, and it won't be long before you are in a real Blues band—if you are good."
Muddy Waters at Carnegie Hall, NYC, 1973. Paul sat in the front row seats that were reserved for Muddy's wife and family. He rolled the perfect joint, and handed it to Muddy during the show. "He always remembered me, inviting me backstage before and after many of his shows. He was a man that could see beyond color and I always felt welcomed by him, he was a gentleman."
Playhouse, Hofstra, NY 1973 was Paul's second meeting with Muddy.
"I asked him if it was okay for a white person to play the Blues."
Mud said "tell me son, are you any good at it?" "I'd like to think so",
I replied. Muddy paused and said "Then you should do it in as many
places as you can, and as often as you can."