Heroes of the Blues Featured Artist: Blind Lemon Jefferson

Blind Lemon Jefferson (1893-1929)

Heroes of the Blues Trading Tees Card #9

Art by R. Crumb Text by Stephen Calt

A native of Wortham, Texas, the legendary Blind Lemon Jefferson worked as a street singer and visited several state in the course of his travels. His successful recording debut in 1926 launched the vogue for country blues. Before his mysterious death in 1929, Jefferson recorded eighty-five sides and established himself as the most popular blues guitarist of his era. An off-beat guitarist known for his free phrasing patterns, he was one of the most inspired singers found in blues. Blind Lemon Jefferson was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1980.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive t-shirt will be donated to Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Heroes of the Blue's Weekly Featured Artist: Reverend Gary Davis

Blind Gary Davis (1896-1972)

Heroes of the Blues Trading Tees Card #24

Art by R. Crumb Text by Stephen Calt

A native of Laurens, South Carolina, Reverend Gary Davis, learned to play the guitar around 1903, at the age of seven. As a street singer, he specialized in gospel songs. When first recorded in 1935, he lived in Durham, North Carolina, and counted the popular Blind Boy Fuller as a protege. Davis magnificent guitar playing earned him an avid following among northern audiences after he moved to New York in the 1940's, and he toured and made numerous records before his 1972 death. Reverend Gary Davis was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 2009.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive t-shirt will be donated to Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Reverend Gary Davis - "Death Don't Have No Mercy"
This song was later covered by The Greatful Dead, Dave Von Ronk & Bob Dylan, I think Reverend Davis did it best.

Grateful Dead covers "Death Don't Have No Mercy"

Memphis Minnie's "Kissing in the Dark"

Memphis Minnie's final commercial release from 1953.

Led Zeppelin with Neil Young cover "When the Levee Breaks" original by Memphis Minnie

The Original: When the Levee Breaks by Memphis Minnie and Joe McCoys

Heroes of the Blues Weekly Featured Artist: Memphis Minnie

Memphis Minnie (1897-1973)

Heroes of the Blues Trading Tees Card #32

Art by R. Crumb Text by Stephen Calt

Lizzie Douglas, born in Algiers, Louisiana, was raised in Memphis, and learned guitar at the age of eleven. As Kid Douglas, she toured the South from 1916 onward, returning to Memphis in the late 1920's under the name Memphis Minnie. An accomplished guitarist and gifted song-writer, she recorded over 150 sides between 1929-1941. Most were solo blues, but she also teamed for duets with her second husband, guitarist Kansas Joe McCoy, and her third husband, guitarist Little Son Joe Lawlar. Memphis Minnie was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1980.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Keep On Truckin' Apparel exclusive t-shirt will be donated to Music Maker Relief Foundation.