Bluesdays: Ronnie Baker Brooks

Ronnie Baker Brooks makes his Bluesdays debut at The Village at Squaw Valley.

As the son of the great Chicago bluesman Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie Baker Brooks had a unique childhood.

“I used to go over to (Buddy Guy’s) house,” he said. “I was raised with his kids because his first wife and my mom were best friends. I would see him playing and I didn’t realize that was Buddy Guy. Or hanging out with Junior (Wells) and Son Seals and Koko Taylor who used to come over to the house. I didn’t realize who they were. They were just other musicians to me. When I got older I realized this is not normal. That’s when I was like, ‘OK, now I have an obligation here to continue that legacy for my generation and the generation after me.’ ”

Ronnie Baker Brooks has a novel method to get free drinks. He solos on guitar as he walks to the bar and mixes a cocktail for himself. By the time the solo is finished, Brooks has downed the concoction and is back onstage.