Here we are, again, drawing near the end of another year. December is the time to reflect on the past year, look forward to the new one about to begin, and to hope that all will go well and that your health remains good. That said, we hope that you will all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe New Year!
Answer to November’s Blue Question: The bluesman we were looking for is Shirley Griffith. Born in Brandon, Mississippi, April26th., 1908. He moved to Jackson about 1925 and learned more/studied with or under Tommy Johnson for a short period. Around 1928 he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he worked outside music, though he did play at local parties, clubs, and taverns, with Scrapper Blackwell. He lived there from 1928 on. There are some of his songs you may recognize: “Walkin’ Blues”, ”Going Away Blues”, and “Indiana Avenue Blues”. That last one was recorded around 1961 and also featured J.T. Adams, on the Bluesville label. He also played gigs on the East Coast during the 60’s, with Yank Rachel. He passed away June 18th.,1974, of heart disease.
Some December Blues Births:
- December 1st., 1935- Louis Allen “Lou” Rawls
- December 17th., 1942- Paul Vaughn Butterfield
- December 31st., 1930- Odetta Felious Gordon, aka Odetta
The December 2014 Blues Question: This bluesman, born in Georgia, shares a name with another musician of some note. He played piano and guitar. He is credited with writing 90 songs, though he probably wrote more when he was on the road performing. He recorded on so many labels, in so many cities, and under so many different names that there isn’t enough room here to list them all. Any idea who this bluesman is?
December 2014 Blues Trivia: Lizzie Douglas, best known as “Memphis Minnie”, aka “Minnie/Kid Douglas”, ”Gospel Minnie”, “Minnie McCoy”, and “Texas Tessie”, played guitar, banjo, and sang. Born June3rd.1897 in Algiers, Louisiana, one of 13 children, learned banjo at 10 and guitar at 11 years of age. At 7 years of age the family had moved to Walls, Mississippi where, at the age of 11/12, she played at local house parties. At 13 she ran away to Memphis where she worked/played the street for tips and to hone her skills. Once she became better-known from the later club gigs she played, she always helped other musicians who were having a rough time. The songs she is best known for are “Queen Bee”, “What’s The Matter With The Mill?”, and “Bumble Bee”. There are two items of trivia. First, that she once beat out Big Bill Broonzy in a talent contest, and second, that if someone was giving her a problem, she would not hesitate to use her guitar as a “tool” to “convince” the person to correct their attitude.
Some December Blues Passings:
- December 3rd., 2008- Vernon “Chico” Banks
- December 12th., 1982- William “Bill/Lazy Bill” Lucas
- December 30th., 1952- Willie Lee Brown, who is credited with writing 2 songs: “Future Blues”, and “M&O Blues”, but recorded 3
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