Bakersfield is known for its rich music history, with well known artists like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.
Now, a local artist, who's been playing here for decades, is hoping to make the big time.
When someone has been working at something for more than 40 years, you might think they'd be ready to retire, but not blues man Bunky Spurling.
Monday night, he was at American Sound recording studios where he signed his first recording contract with Rip Cat Records.
Blues is as American as baseball, and Rip Cat Records is looking to keep the sound flowing.
The head of Rip Cat, Scott Abeyta, was in Kernville for last year's Kern River Rock 'N' Blues fest when he heard Bunky Spurling play.
Spurling has been playing locally for more than 40 years.
Even after what some might call a late start for your first recording deal, he couldn't be happier.
"It's exciting. I don't have words for it. It's awesome." said Spurling.
Spurling tells us with age comes wisdom, and things happen for a reason.
"I believe God has timing, things happen for a reason. And, I would have been tickled at any age to get a recording contract, but I don't know if I would have been mature enough to appreciate what I have now when I was in my 20s," said Spurling.
His next step is to make more music, like on this night when he was working on a new record before signing his contract.
Scott Abeyta says blues music has been struggling over the years and finding people like Bunky help keep the sound going.
"It started to slip downhill a bit and that's why I think it needed some help. You know this is America's music. This is the music we created here," said Abeyta.
In September, you'll be able to catch Bunky Spurling and four other Rip Cat Record bands playing on the stage that got Bunky his contract, at the Kern River Rock 'N' Blues fest in Kernville, if you don't find him playing locally before then.
