Most children don't have the ambition to grow-up and own their own record label, or even to be a record producer. When did you first decide that this is what you wanted to do? What was the path you took to becoming Ruf Records – were you already involved in music in some way or another?
Like I said I was a promoter, then a booking agent. Then the publisher for Luther Allison’s music – only because somebody I met said that was the thing to do – start your publishing company. I did it without actually knowing WHAT I did. It felt right and appealing and I learned to follow my instincts, and spontaneous gut feelings. It was all learning by doing.
I think it’s a privilege to actually get a chance to pay for your own mistakes and actually learn the ropes not through a teaching business class but through trying it out yourself and seeing what happens. Because it’s your passion you can actually manage to overcome all the obstacles.
Luther and his common law wife Rocky, who used to manage him and traveled with him all the time, were real teachers. We created a tight work team based on personal trust and friendship. We all believed in what we were doing and promoting. He was a man on a mission and we organized what needed to be done. Promoting concerts, booking tours, publishing and protecting the music, publicity, travel logistics, and in the end, produced and manufactured and distributed records around the globe.
The whole organization grew step by step and we learned something new every day as we tried to figure out what was the next step for us to go about… it really is essential to keep an open mind and never loose the feeling that you actually are a student in your job. I still feel like this today. I learn something new every day… it never stops.
Did you have a definite purpose in mind for Ruf – was it always going to be a Blues label – or has this just happened.
It really just happened. I had the thought of branching out and starting sub-divisions for other music genres. I learned early on that you need to focus on one thing and grow with it. That's the only way you get recognition. If you do too many things, you water down the quality of your core business. It’s best to stay true to your roots and core business, even if the routine becomes boring at times…
Article comments
1 - Luther Allison, Jr.
That's a nice article. Thanks. There are a few corrections that need to be made and REPRINTED: 1st; Rocky is not my mother. My father is/still/was married to my mother, Fannie M Allison. She still lives/resides in Peoria, Ill. I wish that that these corrections are made and stop slandering our name and acknowledge and respect my Mom. Or acknowledge the fact that Rocky and my dad were, "kickin' it", maybe? Bernard and I are tired of being asked how is your mom (Rocky)? Our response is not nice.
2 - Richard Marcus
Luther Jr.
Yikes that's not cool is it. The best I can do for you, as this was an interview with Thomas Ruf, and he was the one who made those refrences, is to forward what you told me to him in Germany, and to my contact with Ruf Records in North America.
I have to say I agree with both you and your brother's opinion, I wouldn't have wanted anyone thinking any of my Dad's girlfriends or even my stepmom were my mom. I would have been pissed too.
I'll make sure the people at Ruf records are corrected so at least they won't make the same comments in the future. Also your comment is printed underneath this interview and I will see about getting it posted in the other places the interview has been published. Cool?
Once again I agree with what you're saying, and I'd be upset too. So I hope I can make sure that some people will stop saying it.
cheers
Richard Marcus
p.s If you want to contact me directly, email the site's publisher - you can find the contact information on the front page - and he can email your address and I'll get back to you.