Friday, February 4, 2011
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.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Heroes of the Blues Featured Artist: Mississippi John Hurt
Mississippi John Hurt (1893-1966)
Heroes of the Blues Trading Tees Card #33
Art by R. Crumb Text by Stephen Calt
John Hurt was born in 1893 at Teoc, Mississippi, and raised in nearby Avalon. He took up guitar in 1903, developing a soft singing style and a unique three-finger picking technique. Never a professional musician, Hurt rarely traveled before or after recording twelve sides for Okeh in 1928, but his 1960's rediscovery helped launch a blues revival, and he performed and re-recorded songs such as "Coffee Blues" and "Richland Woman" to great acclaim before his death in 1966. Mississippi John Hurt was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1988.
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.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Heroes of the Blues featured artist: Charley Patton
Charley Patton (1890-1934)
Heroes of the Blues Trading Tees Card #26
Art by R. Crumb Text by Stephen Calt
One of the most influential Mississippi blues musicians, Charley Patton was born in the 1890's and raised in the Delta town of Dockery. By 1910 he was already an established performer, known for such songs as "Pony Blues" and "Banty Rooster Blues." A prolific artist, he recorded more titles (forty-two) within a single year than any blues artist of the decade. After his debut in 1929, his blend of comedy effects and hard blues gave him a unique musical identity. He died in 1934 and 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.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Heroes of the Blues Featured Artist: Son House
Son House (1902-1988)
Heroes of the Blues Trading Tees Card #31
Art by R. Crumb Text by Stephen Calt
The possessor of a powerful voice, Eddie James (Son) House gave up preaching for music around 1927 while in his native Lyon, Mississippi. His friend Charlie Patton arranged for his 1930 recording debut, which resulted in nine titles. He worked with Willie Brown and recorded for the Library of Congress before moving to Rochester, New York, in 1943. House influenced such famed musicians as Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. His career revived when he was rediscovered in 1964. Son House 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.
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