Some August Blues Births:
- August 8th.,1926-- Alvin K. Smith, aka Al Smith and/or Al King
- August 17th.,1936-- Johnny Jones (NOT Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones, born 1941)
- August 29th.,1927-- Marion Williams
Answer To The July 2023 Blues Question: The bluesman we were looking for was/ is Herman Villere "Roscoe" Ernest III, born August 12, 1951, in New Orleans, Louisiana. I couldn't find any info on how he got started drumming, but his first job/gig as a professional drummer was in the touring band Rhythm Masters, of King Floyd, a vocalist, in 1971. When Floyd left the band, it was re- named World Blues, and they continued to play gigs around New Orleans. After some time, that group dissolved, Roscoe (as he was known), along with Teddy Royal, formed another club band called Cypress. Roscoe would also work at Sea- Saint Studios, for many years. His first recording, working as a studio musician, was with Patti LaBelle, on her album "Night Birds". Having known him for years, he started recording with Dr. John in the early '90's. In '96 he recorded with and became a member of the band, on the Dr. John album "Trippin' Live". Shortly after that he became the band leader, the position he held until his death. He was known for his playing, but also for his humourous introductions and running commentary on Dr. John's performing actions at that time. He spent most of his time recording with many different artists, but he was also the drummer at his mother's church, the Greatest Liberty Baptist Church. He was a deputy sheriff with/ for the New Orleans Police Dept. during Mardi Gras and Thanksgiving, to make sure that they were peaceful and safe. Some of the other musicians he recorded and/or performed with you might recognize are Marcia Ball, Junior Wells, Shemekia Copeland, Etta James, Earl King, and "Blind" Snooks Eaglin, just to name a few. He had also helped Dr. John through his myriad problems-- he was always there to help him. They had mutual respect for each other. Dr. John said that before he would record a song/ album, that he'd give each musician a copy of what he wanted. When Roscoe was given his copy, he'd immediately shift it around, and it always came out better. That's respect. Dr. John gave him the nickname "Herman the German". Roscoe passed away at home, in New Orleans, on March 6,2011, of head and neck cancer. After his passing, Dr. John said, and I quote, "He was a cat that always lived. He wasn't one of those guys that was a survivor. He was a guy that lived. We're going to celebrate the cat's life to the max".
Blues Question For August 2023: This bluesman was a field worker when he first heard the blues on a radio. Shortly after that, he became a gravedigger. Besides being a bluesman, he was also a folk artist whose works are on display yet. His recorded works span roughly 30 years. Any thoughts on who this bluesman might be ??
Blues Song(s) And Artist(s) For August 2023: The song is "Mr. Tom Green's Farm", and the artist is Johnny "Shoeshine Johnny" Shines. The album it's on was/ is "Masters of Modern Blues, Vol.1", by the Johnny Shines Band, recorded in June of 1966, at One-derful Studios, in Chicago. The artists were: Johnny on guitar and vocal, Big Walter Horton on harmonica, Otis Spann on piano, Lee Jackson on bass, and Fred Below on drums. Picked this one just to be different.
Blues Trivia For August 2023: As with many "sidemen", their names are not always shown. Roscoe Ernest's name was always included. There was another sideman who worked that way with many of the "big names" in the blues. This one was working in his early days in bar bands, mainly with Sunnyland Slim (Albert Laundrew) and John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson (the first). He did some of the drumming, vocals, and guitar work for them, before he joined Muddy Water's band. On recorded tracks, he's always been listed as Leroy Foster, Baby Face, or Baby Face Leroy. The trivia is that on 2 sides where he played guitar backing Sunnyland Slim, on a recording for the Opera label, he is listed only as "Delta Joe". As I've said many times, if you're looking for a particular recording, ya better have all the info you can find on it.
Some August Blues Passings:
- August 7th.,1984-- "Harmonica Frank" Floyd
- August; 16th.,1925-- Edna Hicks, (possibly born as Edna Landreaux or Lucille Landry) aka Edna Landry
- August 30th.,2009-- Marie Knight (birth name Marie Roach)
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