Some September Blues Births:
- September 3rd.,1934-- Freddie "Freddy" King
- September 16th.,1935-- William "Billy Boy", "Billy" Arnold
- September 28th.,1951-- Norton Buffalo, born Phillip Jackson
Answer to the August 2018 Blues Question: The bluesman we were looking for is/was Alger "Texas" Alexander, born September 12th.,1900, in Jewett, Texas. He worked outside the music field up into the 1920's, in Leona, Texas. At that time he sometimes worked as an entertainer at parties and picnics. Around 1922 he worked the streets with Blind Lemon Jefferson, for tips. In his career he travelled a great deal, so documenting exactly his musical career is almost impossible, as is figuring out what area influenced his style. In the late '20's he recorded with Lonnie Johnson, the Mississippi Sheiks, and others in New York City and San Antonio, Texas. In New York City he also recorded with the King Oliver band. In some of his own shows later on, he went by the name King Oliver. In Texas, he worked the streets, in different towns, with Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins. He toured with the Howling Wolf (that's J.T. Smith, aka "Funny Paper"/"Funny Papa"/"Howling Smith"),(not Chester Burnett), Lowell Fulson, and George "Little Hat" Jones. Alexander, who was a vocalist (though, reportedly, could also play the guitar), did his first recordings with Lonnie Johnson on guitar, in August of '27. He recorded from '27 through '30, skipped '31,'32,and '33, and was back in the studio in '34. He didn't record after that year until his final recording session in 1950, with "Benton's Busy Bees", comprised of Buster Pickins and Leon Benton. In different publications it is shown that he murdered his wife, was tried and convicted, and served time from 1940 through 1945 for it, in a prison in Paris, Texas. Yet again, an "info" problem. I could find no reference to said crime and, there was/is no prison in Paris, Texas. There was a county jail there, in the city hall building, but that burned to the ground in 1916. If you have the time, please look up Paris, Texas's history-- It'll give you a good idea how tough that town was on those who dared to break the "law". There's also controversy over his musical relatives. In some listings he is shown to be a cousin to Frankie Lee Sims, while in others he's shown to be his uncle. Lightnin' Hopkins was Sims's cousin, and, therefore, even though distant, related to Alexander. Some articles state that Alexander and Hopkins are not related at all. Alexander died April 16th., 1954, in Richards, Texas, of syphilis.
Blues Question for September 2018: This bluesman was originally from Mississippi, but like so many others, moved to Chicago. Both his parents were musicians, but they weren't the ones who taught him how to play. He recorded only six sides. Any ideas on this bluesman ??
Blues Song(s) and Artist(s) for September 2018: The song is "Ball and Chain", and the artist is Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton. This song was covered and made famous by Janis Joplin, who insisted that writing credit, on the records' label, be shown as Willie Mae Thornton. That finally gave Thornton some long-deserved recognition, which was way overdue.
Blues Trivia for September 2018: Let's take a little look at Big Mama Thornton's early career. Early on she was represented by Johnny Otis (yes, the same one who "discovered" Etta James). He made an agreement with a couple of young "promoters", to record some of her songs, and make all of the arrangements to do so. They promptly took one of those and sold it to another "promoter", who had one of his up-and-coming "stars" record it. That went on to become a hit for the other performer, but with no royalties or recognition to Thornton. Otis promptly sued the first two promoters. That suit was lost, as the judge determined that the two were underage, and therefore, not in breach of contract since they were juveniles, and not legally able to sign a valid contract. Those two, who I will leave nameless, are today credited and recognized as great songwriters. This just another "tidbit" on how musicians are scammed, but, rest assured, the musicians also scam-- both other musicians, and sometimes, those who are honestly trying to help them.
Some September Blues Passings:
- September 1st.,2004-- Raful Neal
- September 17th.,2001-- Arthur "Guitar" Kelley
- September 29th.,1962-- Ann Cook
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