Blues with a Butter Knife: The Unstoppable Music of Cedell Davis

Young CeDell Davis learns to play the blues in a style unlike anyone else—playing his guitar upside down with a butterknife in hand—and goes on to become a legendary musician.

Renowned Black illustrator R. Gregory Christie brings the story of the blues legend to life in this nonfiction picture book for ages 7–10.

As a child, CeDell Davis felt the blues deeply and longed to make music of his own. Without a real instrument, he became inventive, building makeshift setups—nailing wire and a rusty barrel ring to the side of his house so he could play and practice.

When he eventually received a real guitar, CeDell’s talent grew, but his life changed when he was struck by polio around age ten. After years in the hospital, he returned home determined to play again, only to find that the illness had weakened his hands.

Refusing to give up, CeDell reimagined how to make music—turning his guitar upside down and using a butterknife as a slide. In doing so, he created a completely new sound, one that would eventually carry him to the stage alongside his musical heroes.