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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


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Showing posts with label South Carolina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Carolina. Show all posts

Friday, February 3, 2012

Don't Advertise Your Man - Clara Smith


Clara Smith (c. 1894 – February 2, 1935) was an American classic female blues singer. She was billed as the "Queen of the Moaners", although Smith actually had a lighter and sweeter voice than her contemporaries and main competitors
Smith was born in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. In her youth she worked on African American theater circuits and tent shows. By the late 1910s she was appearing as a headliner at the Lyric Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana and on the T.O.B.A. circuit.

In 1923 she settled in New York, appearing at cabarets and speakeasies there; that same year she made the first of her commercially successful series of gramophone recordings for Columbia Records, for whom she would continue recording through to 1932. She cut 122 songs often with the backing of top musicians (especially after 1925) including Louis Armstrong, Charlie Green, Joe Smith, Freddy Jenkins, Fletcher Henderson and James P. Johnson (in 1929). Plus she recorded two vocal duets with Bessie Smith, and four with Lonnie Johnson.

The comparisons with near namesake Bessie Smith were inevitable. Clara Smith was on the whole less fortunate than Bessie in her accompanists, and her voice was less imposing but, to some tastes, prettier, and many of her songs were interesting (and she was the second best seller on Columbia's 14000-D series, behind Bessie Smith).

In 1933 she moved to Detroit, Michigan, and worked at theaters there until her hospitalization in early 1935 for heart disease, of which she died
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Thursday, February 2, 2012

Sitting On Top Of The World - James Blood Ulmer


James "Blood" Ulmer (born February 2, 1942) is an American jazz and blues guitarist and singer. Ulmer's distinctive guitar sound has been described as "jagged" and "stinging." His singing has been called "raggedly soulful.
Ulmer was born in St. Matthews, South Carolina. He began his career playing with various soul jazz ensembles, first in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1959-1964, and then in the Columbus, Ohio region, from 1964-1967. He first recorded with organist John Patton in 1969. After moving to New York in 1971, Ulmer played with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Joe Henderson, Paul Bley, Rashied Ali and Larry Young.

In the early 1970s, Ulmer joined Ornette Coleman; he was the first electric guitarist to record and tour extensively with Coleman. He has credited Coleman as a major influence, and Coleman's strong reliance on electric guitar in his fusion-oriented recordings owes a distinct debt to Ulmer.

He formed a group called the Music Revelation Ensemble with David Murray and Ronald Shannon Jackson, with whom he recorded throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Different incarnations of the group also featured Julius Hemphill, Arthur Blythe, Sam Rivers, and Hamiet Bluiett on saxophones and flutes. In the 1980s he co-led, with saxophonist George Adams, the ensemble Phalanx.

1983's Odyssey, with drummer Warren Benbow and violinist Charles Burnham, was described as "avant-gutbucket," leading writer Bill Milkowski to describe the music as "conjuring images of Skip James and Albert Ayler jamming on the Mississippi Delta."

Ulmer has recorded many albums as a leader, including three recent acclaimed blues-oriented records produced by Vernon Reid. He also performs solo.

Ulmer was also a judge for the 8th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists.


In a 2005 Down Beat interview, Ulmer opined that guitar technique had not advanced since the death of Jimi Hendrix. He stated that technique could advance "if the guitar would stop following the piano," and indicated that he tunes all of his guitar strings to A.

In spring 2011, Ulmer joined saxophone luminary James Carter's organ trio as a special guest along with Nicholas Payton on trumpet for a six-night stand of performances at Blue Note New York.

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Monday, January 30, 2012

C.C.'s Blues - C.C. Richardson

Clarence Clifford "CC/Peg" Richardson (December 18, 1918 - January 30, 1984), Sumter, SC. Richardson got his foot in the blues doorway by performing in his uncle"s quartet in Brown Chapel Church in Sumter, SC. Sadly, he lost part of one foot in a train accident as a child. He performed in bands with such notable leaders as Jay McShann and Nat Cole and claimed to be influenced most by Blind Boy Fuller.
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Thursday, January 12, 2012

Motherless Children - Blind Gussie Nesbitt

Born January 12, 1910 only a few references are made to this great blues singer.
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Monday, January 9, 2012

The Long Road of a Young Musician: An interview with JL Fulks


I recently became acquainted with a very talented musician and after some discussions thought that his story may not only help his journey but also may help others who are traveling a similar path. JL Fulks grew up in Greenville , South Carolina and recently relocated to Boca Raton, Florida.

Bman: Hi JL. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. How long have you been playing guitar?

JL: Not a problem, I have been playing guitar for about 7 years now

Bman: So give me the story. How did this all begin?

JL: I joined Unsought Rejection with some friends in high school. We had some minor gigging success, and it was the first time I contributed to writing original music. We also won my high schools battle of the bands. We ended up recording a 5 song demo in a pro studio that came out decent. Everyone in the band stopped playing music shortly after that but me, but it was a good experience for me at that age.


Bman: Then about a year later you formed “Until Next Time” which won a Battle of the Bands contest and a few contract offers. I’m guessing that you really weren’t convicted with your band or with what you were playing.

JL: I formed Until Next Time with some other musicians that I thought were some of the best in Greenville at the time. I wrote 70% of the music and we ended up making a very solid set list. Having that set list and good original hard rock songs took us to Gorilla Productions battle of the bands. We won both rounds and were voted the best hard rock band in Greenville, SC at that time. Winning that opened up a lot of doors to contract offers and gigs. All of the contract offers were inadequate offers but it was a great experience learning about the music business and the law. The band had minor success and everyone else again quit playing but me.

Bman: I think that is the time people either start to get serious or find something else to do. So you got serious and started taking lessons from an instructor at University of South Carolina. How did that change your perception of music and what you were playing?

JL: After that band I really wanted to create music on my own and not depend on other people’s commitment. I wanted to get better so I could hang out and play with the best musicians around. I started taking private Jazz lessons from Adam Knight, a professor at USC Upstate. He really changed my thought process of creating music, and fixed a lot of bad habits. He helped me in my process of auditioning for Berklee, reading music, my blues song writing, my improvisation, and many other great aspects that are used in creating great music.

Bman: It's pretty obvious that you were a serious study and he was a good teacher. So now you’re starting to get opportunities to play with national talents and a few recording opportunities. I’ll bet that lit you up!


JL: Since I have moved to Florida I have played with many top notch musicians. I hit many of the Pro South Florida Blues jams at BB Kings, The Backroom, The Blue Boar, The Funky Buddha, etc. While attending these jams I have had the opportunity to play with International Blues Challenge winner JP Soars, Muggie Doo from Buddy Miles Express, and Julius Pastorius, the son of the great Jaco Pastorius. Also since I have been here I've had the opportunity to record with a pro reggae artist named Uncle Sam Di Foreign man on his 4th album.

Bman: Sounds like you're on your way. So now you’ve moved to Boca and are continuing your studies with Berklee Music, doing session work and giving lessons. And you’re looking for some mates to gig with who compliment you. Can you articulate who you’re looking for? Maybe they’re reading this!

JL: Studying at Berklee has really helped me become a better player. It has given me the discipline needed to sit down an practice 6-7 hours a day. I am looking to form a band with adequate musicians that have the same commitment to excellence. I really want to keep the blues alive with a new age rockin' South Florida blues band. I want to have many other styles mixed in as well such as rock, funk, and jazz. Unfortunately I have not come across the musicians I am looking for to create my dream band. I have been holding out, and in the mean time I plan to be involved with a few projects on the side such as a reggae band, and a duo acoustic act.


Bman: I know that it can be tough to find the right mix. Playing different styles and just staying active in the music scene... and keeping your writing juice going is huge.
My favorite guitar player in the world ,who shall remain nameless for this interview, indicated a few years back that he gets a sound in his head and just walks around the city trying to find someone who sounds like they have it. Now he has the fortune of being the best guitar player in the world and usually has one of the top few bass and drummers in the world in his band. But it always has to be a good match. If you watch him in his most recent (not current) band on Crossroads you can see the chemistry between his rhythm section and him …and how he is as much in awe of them as they are of him. That has to be a great feeling!

JL: It is a great feeling to master your instrument and get to share your heart and soul through music with the world. The more you practice, learn, hear, and play the better musician you will become.

Bman: Spoken like a true musician. I love it! I’ve heard a few tracks of you playing and I feel confident that once you connect with the right crew you’ll be unstoppable!

JL: Most of the tracks online are jams I have done all over south Florida with different musicians with no prior rehearsal before. I feel confident that when I get with the right people, I will be able to write more structured, theoretical, and progressive music. Having the right band will definitely put my foot forward in the music business.


Bman:I certainly agree! You recently had a special unplugged appearance on an Internet Radio station. How did that go?


JL: I was a special guest on the American Biker Talk Radio show. It is the biggest biker talk radio show in the world. I was able to perform 4 of my newly written original songs live on the radio. It went very well and to my surprise many people called in supporting me music, including the famous Jesse Ventura. There were 20,000 people viewing online, which marked the biggest crowd I have ever performed in front of.

Bman: I shared your link about the show on Facebook. Will you have access to a digital copy of the video of the show. I think it would be really cool to see for those who didn’t catch it!

JL:I have a video with no audio right now. I will be getting a professional audio copy of the whole show. I will upload it on my Youtube channel as soon as it get it!

Bman: I'll keep an eye out for that. I really appreciate your time. Your music sounds great. I hope that you find some mates soon. I know that a lot of my readers are ready for the next step!
Is there anything else that you’d like to share with your fans?


JL: Thanks a lot for interviewing me. I hope a lot of readers can use my advice to their advantage.

Bman: Best of luck pal and keep up the good work. Talk to you soon!

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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Stormy Monday - JL Fulks with JP Soars, Captain Reese and Aaron Allen


JL Fulks,(Jeffrey Lynn Fulks Jr.) started playing the guitar at age 13. By the 8th grade he was playing in his schools praise band performing weekly at school, and even traveled with the band to other christian schools to perform.

In the 10th grade he joined a rock band called Unsought Rejection. The band played weekly at skate parks, and other local gigs in the Greenville area. They won 1st place in his high schools battle of the bands. At age 15 he had already recorded his first demo track in a professional recording studio.

In November of 2008, JL performed in front of more than five thousand people at Brookwood Church in Mauldin South Carolina. In that time he learned how to use professional stage equipment, and how to work with multiple musicians.

Then in January of 2009, He formed another band called Until Next Time. UNT was very popular throughout Greenville and won Gorilla Productions battle of the bands for there first performance. Winning the battle of the bands took them to the Finals at the Handlebar, which they also won. Gorilla Productions voted them the best hard rock band in Greenville, South Carolina in 2009. After winning battle of the bands they were able to record for free at Sit-N-Spin studios, have a show headlining show at The Handlebar, and were offered contracts from two minor record labels. Eventually the band split up and JL started a solo acoustic act playing at private parties and coffee shops.

In December of 2009 JL's family and friends encouraged him to start singing and he quickly started to write his own blues songs. At that time he decided to become a blues singer and songwriter.

In the summer of 2010, JL decided to take private lessons from an instructor at University of South Carolina named Adam Knight. JL studied jazz and multiple styles of music with Adam Knight and quickly evolved as a musician. JL started playing in his own blues, jazz, and funk trio booking many gigs throughout Greenville. He also sat in with many bands and artists at venues, and recorded with a few. JL had the opportunity to jam with many successful musicians such as Rickey Godfrey, JP Soars & The Red Hots, Max Hightower, and Danny Keylon (Mac Arnold & The Plate full O blues band), Tez Sherard (Edwin McCain, Gypsy Souls), Julius Pastorius, Muggy (Buddy Miles Express, Double Trouble), and JJ Woolbright (Guitarist for Brett Michaels, Sweet Crude, and Jackyl).

As well as playing live music, JL plans to progress in his studies and become a professional guitarist. In September of 2011, JL enrolled in Berklee College of Music's Online school to become certified in Blues, Jazz, and Rock guitar.

As of right now JL lives in South Florida. He recently has done studio work for Reggae Artist Uncle Sam (Di Foreign Man), and plans to become a devoted Session Guitarist for many other artists in the future. JL is halfway into his classes at Berkleemusic maintaining a 4.0 GPA. He has been studying with Berklee professors Joe Musella, Kevin Belz, and Bruce Saunders. He is in the process of forming a professional blues band, and getting a job teaching guitar at a local music store. There is alot to come from JL so make sure you stay tuned!
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Boots Electric Theme - Boots Electric


Jesse "The Devil" Hughes (born September 24, 1972) is an American musician from Greenville, South Carolina. Hughes is known for his role as frontman of the California-based rock band, Eagles of Death Metal. He cites Little Richard as his biggest musical influence and inspiration
Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme formed Eagles of Death Metal in 1998. Hughes credits Homme with saving his life, claiming that during the recording of the second Eagles of Death Metal album Death By Sexy, he fell into serious drug addiction and that Homme not only drove him to rehab, but paid for it as well
Jesse is one of the characters in the book Sex Tips from Rock Stars by Paul Miles to be published by Omnibus Press in July 2010. In September 2011, Hughes will release his debut solo album under the moniker Boots Electric. The album will be released on Dangerbird Records and is called "Honkey Kong." They played their first show in Columbus, Ohio August 12, 2011 at the CD 101 Summerfest Eve.
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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Big Storm - Cool John Ferguson


John was born in Beaufort, SC in 1953. He learned to play the guitar by the age of 3. By age 5, John played gospel music professionally and astounded musicians ten times his age. John was the featured entertainer for Lowcountry Sing on Channel 5, Charleston SC, for three years, appearing with three of his sisters, the Ferguson Sisters, an outstanding gospel trio.

Early in life John made a decision to follow his dream of becoming a renowned guitarist, pianist, and singer. He made his dream a reality. He has formed bands playing psychedelic music, rhythm and blues, pop and jazz. John’s fingers just seem to glide effortlessly across the guitar strings as his audience watch in amazement.

John has spent his life traveling where his music leads him. He has performed at many concerts and major blues festivals throughout the United States and abroad, including the Savannah Music Festival, Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors, Lucerne Blues Festival, and Switzerland’s Blues to Bop Festival, Australia’s Byron Bay Blues Festival, and many other festivals throughout the world.

John is very versatile. You never know what he’s going to play next. He seamlessly combines styles of gospel, blues, funk, country, jazz, and rhythm and blues. He has been active on tent revival circuits, played with LaFace Records of Atlanta, GA, and collaborated with several well-known artists throughout the world, including Taj Mahal, Kenny Wayne Shepard, BB King, Beverly Guitar Watkins, and the Stylistics. He has provided sound tracks for countless events. John was honored by Living Blues Magazine for two consecutive years as “Most Outstanding Guitarist.”
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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Going Up - Ironing Board Sam


Music Maker is happy to present our first release from artist Ironing Board Sam. Going Up is a product of more than 55 years of blues experience; the 13-track album features Sam's return to his early solo piano and vocal roots.

Ironing Board Sam is a charismatic singer, songwriter and piano player and a true original in blues music. Sam earned his nickname in the late 1950s after inventing his "button board," a homemade and portable keyboard mounted on an ironing board. After showcasing his button board in Memphis, Sam was dubbed Ironing Board Sam for his unique invention.

Track Listing:

1/Life Is Like a Seesaw 2/(Come On) Let's Boogie 3/Why I Sing the Blues 4/Somewhere Over the Rainbow 5/Don't Worry About Me 6/Cherry Pie 7/Skinny Woman 8/Self Rising Flour 9/Orleans Party 10/Come to Mardi Gras 11/Heaven, Please Send Me 12/Tallahassee Bridge (Billy Joe) 13/In the Mood for Love

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Thursday, October 6, 2011

She Knows How To Stretch It - Pink Anderson


Pinkney "Pink" Anderson (February 12, 1900 – October 12, 1974) was a blues singer and guitarist, born in Laurens, South Carolina.
After being raised in Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina, he joined Dr. Frank "Smiley" Kerr of the Indian Remedy Company in 1914 to entertain the crowds whilst Kerr tried to sell a concoction purported to have medicinal qualities.
cemetery marker for Pink Anderson in Spartanburg, SC.
Cemetery marker for Pink Anderson in Lincoln Memorial Gardens, Spartanburg, South Carolina

In 1916 in Spartanburg, Anderson met Simeon "Blind Simmie" Dooley, from whom he learned to be a blues singer, this after experience in string bands. When Anderson was not traveling with Dr. Kerr, he and Dooley would play to small gatherings in Greenville, Spartanburg, and other neighboring communities, as well as recording four tracks for Columbia Records in Atlanta in April, 1928.

After Dr. Kerr retired in 1945, Anderson stayed more close to home in Spartanburg, keeping his musical talents in tune with an old Gibson J-50 guitar and a harmonica. He still "went out" annually when he could with Leo "Chief Thundercloud" Kahdot (of the Potawatomi native Americans) and his medicine show, often with the Jonesville, South Carolina based harmonica-player Arthur "Peg Leg Sam" Jackson. In May 1950, Anderson was recorded by folklorist Paul Clayton at the Virginia State Fair. Heart problems eventually forced Anderson to retire from the road in 1957. He was once more recorded at his home in 1962 by Samuel Charters.

"Anderson went on to make some albums on his own after the blues revival commenced in the early 1960s" and played some folk clubs, "establishing him as a minor but worthy exponent of the Piedmont school, versed in blues, ragtime, and folk songs". He also appeared in the 1963 film, The Bluesmen. A stroke in the late 1960s curtailed his musical activity. Attempts by folklorist Peter B. Lowry in 1970 to get Anderson on tape were not successful, although apparently he could occasionally summon up some of his past abilities. A final tour took place in the early 1970s with the aid of Roy Book Binder, one of his "students", taking him to Boston and New York.

He died in October 1974, of a heart attack at the age of 74. He is interred at Lincoln Memorial Gardens in Spartanburg. Anderson's son, known as Little Pink Anderson (b. July 13, 1954), is currently a bluesman living in Vermillion, South Dakota
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Friday, September 23, 2011

Music Maker Artist Ironing Board Sam Releases New Album



HILLSBOROUGH, NC (Sept 26, 2011)– Music Maker Relief Foundation is pleased to announce the release of bluesman Ironing Board Sam’s new record, Going Up. A product of more than 55 years of blues experience, this 13-track album features Sam’s return to his early solo piano and vocal roots. Set to release on October 1, Going Up will be available for sale and download on iTunes on October 1, 2011.

“Ironing Board Sam brings an infectious joy to this album that makes you feel wonderful about life,” said Tim Duffy, president of Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Born Samuel Moore in Rock Hill, SC in 1939, Ironing Board Sam is a charismatic singer, songwriter and piano player and a true original in blues music. Ironing Board Sam earned his nickname in the late 1950s after inventing his “button board,” a homemade and portable keyboard mounted on an ironing board. After showcasing his button board in Memphis, Sam was dubbed Ironing Board Sam for his unique invention.

Sam’s powerful and soulful voice has been featured in cities across the South, including Winston-Salem, NC; Nashville and Memphis, TN; Miami, FL; and New Orleans, LA. Though Sam began his career playing boogie-woogie piano in the drink houses of Winston-Salem, by the late 1960s he had relocated to Nashville and had become a wildly popular entertainer and regular performer on the first all-black Nashville music show called Night Train.

Music Maker Relief Foundation first partnered with Ironing Board Sam in 2010, and this album reflects an opportunity to ensure the continuation of traditional Southern music and Sam’s unique sound.

###

About Music Maker Relief Foundation:

Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. is a tax exempt, public charity under IRS code 501(c)3. Music Maker aims to keep our Southern culture vital by directly supporting senior (over 55) American roots musicians in need, expanding their professional careers, and assisting Next Generation artists in the development of their professional careers. Since the organization’s founding in 1994, Music Maker has assisted hundreds of musicians who represent the traditions of Blues, Gospel, Old-Time String Band, Jazz and more. Music Maker’s programs ensure the talents of these cultural treasures are accessible so that our rich musical heritage can be shared with the world and preserved for future generations. For more information, visit our website, www.musicmaker.org.


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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The Evil One - James "Blood" Ulmer



James "Blood" Ulmer (born February 2, 1942 in St. Matthews, South Carolina) is an American jazz and blues guitarist and singer. Ulmer's distinctive guitar sound has been described as "jagged" and "stinging." His singing has been called "raggedly soulful.

Ulmer began his career playing with various soul jazz ensembles, and first recorded with organist John Patton in 1969. After moving to New York in 1971, Ulmer played with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Joe Henderson, Paul Bley, Rashied Ali and Larry Young.



In the early 1970s, Ulmer joined Ornette Coleman; he was the first electric guitarist to record and tour extensively with Coleman. He has credited Coleman as a major influence, and Coleman's strong reliance on electric guitar in his fusion-oriented recordings owes a distinct debt to Ulmer.



He formed a group called the Music Revelation Ensemble with David Murray and Ronald Shannon Jackson, with whom he recorded throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Different incarnations of the group also featured Julius Hemphill, Arthur Blythe, Sam Rivers, and Hamiet Bluiett on saxophones and flutes. In the 1980s he co-led, with saxophonist George Adams, the ensemble Phalanx.



1983's Odyssey, with drummer Warren Benbow and violinist Charles Burnham, was described as "avant-gutbucket," leading writer Bill Milkowski to describe the music as "conjuring images of Skip James and Albert Ayler jamming on the Mississippi Delta."



Ulmer has recorded many albums as a leader, including three recent acclaimed blues-oriented records produced by Vernon Reid.



Ulmer was also a judge for the 8th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists.



In a 2005 Down Beat interview, Ulmer opined that guitar technique had not advanced since the death of Jimi Hendrix. He stated that technique could advance "if the guitar would stop following the piano," and indicated that he tunes all of his guitar strings to A.



In Spring 2011, Ulmer joined saxophone luminary James Carter's Organ Trio as a special guest along with Nicholas Payton on trumpet for a six-night stand of performances at Blue Note New York, NY.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Born in Carolina - Wes Mackey


For years he traveled under the radar in search of both his personal and musical identities and now, after close to 50 years as a professional musician Mackey is finally becoming recognized in North America and is busier than he has ever performing, writing, recording and collaborating.

The journey has been less than typical for a bluesman. Born and raised in rural South Carolina he learned to play the guitar from the seasoned old blues players of the Deep South and he is glad to have been part of that great bygone era. He eventually moved to Augusta, Georgia where he began working in small juke joints and dusty honky tonks and where his first “professional” gig paid 50 cents and a chicken sandwich.

Soon he found himself playing in the local bands that backed up touring greats like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Stevie Wonder and many others. Affectionately known as "Static" for his troublesome stutter he spent many years on the road working as a sideman. While many of his contemporaries from the south migrated to other American cities Wes' path took a different course and he eventually moved to Canada where he garnered some early success in the country he now calls home.

Then Mackey faced some troubling challenges and was forced to drop out of the music scene entirely. When he was finally ready to get back on stage he had to start all over again. There were some artistic compromises but in order to keep working he had to diversify, playing everything from country to jazz. Realizing that he did not stutter when he sang he also added the foot bass pedals and moved centre stage. In the long run Mackey admits it helped to develop his unique and sometimes indefinable style.

It took some time but eventually he went from working those dusty honky tonks of the past to clubs, resorts, and five star venues around the world, including places like Russia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Iceland to name a few.

With his life back on track he decided to return to the music in which his life was rooted and dedicated himself exclusively to the blues. At first unsure if his five star fans would warm up to the blues he decided to risk it all and it worked. When he is not doing concerts, festivals and shows he still continues to perform the circuit regularly in Vancouver.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

SUMMERTIME

J. B. Hutto (April 26, 1926 – June 12, 1983) was an American blues musician, born Joseph Benjamin Hutto. Hutto was influenced by Elmore James, and became known for his slide guitar work and declamatory style of singing. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame two years after his death.

Hutto was born in Blackville, South Carolina, the fifth of seven children. His family moved to Augusta, Georgia when Hutto was three years old. His father, Calvin, was a preacher and Hutto, along with his three brothers and three sisters, formed a gospel group called
The Golden Crowns, singing in local churches. Hutto's father died in 1949, and the family relocated to Chicago. Hutto served as a draftee in the Korean War in the early 1950s, driving trucks in combat zones.

In Chicago, Hutto took up the drums and played with Johnny Ferguson and his Twisters. He also tried the piano before settling on the guitar and playing on the streets with percussionist Eddie 'Porkchop' Hines. After adding Joe Custom on second guitar they started playing club gigs, and harmonica player George Mayweather joined after sitting in with the band. Hutto named his band The Hawks, after the wind that blows in Chicago. A recording session in 1954 resulted in the release of two singles on the Chance label and a second session later the same year, with the band supplemented by pianist Johnny Jones, produced a third.

Later in the 1950s Hutto became disenchanted with music and gave it up to work as a janitor in a funeral home after a woman broke his guitar over her husband's head one night. He returned to the music industry in the mid 1960s with a new version of the Hawks featuring Herman Hassell on bass and Frank Kirkland on drums. His recording career resumed with, first, a session for Vanguard Records released on the compilation album Chicago/the Blues/Today! Vol. 1, and then albums for Testament and Delmark. The 1968 Delmark album Hawk Squat! Which features Sunnyland Slim on organ and piano, and Maurice McIntyre on tenor saxophone, is regarded as his best work on album up to this point.

After Hound Dog Taylor died in 1975, Hutto took over his band the Houserockers for a time, and in the late 1970s he moved to Boston and recruited a new band which he called the New Hawks, with whom he recorded further studio albums for the Varrick label. His 1983 Varrick album Slippin' & Slidin', the last of his career and later reissued on CD as Rock With Me Tonight, has been described as "near-perfect".