Page 80 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2017

Barbecue Bob: Early Atlanta blues guitar-man Barbecue He was just so sweet, he became known as Honeyboy. The
Bob was born Robert Hicks. But when he was discovered name stuck.
while working as a BBQ chef at Tidwell’s Barbecue in a
North Atlanta suburb, the gimmick was too good to pass Memphis Minnie: The greatest lady blues guitarist of
up. A Colombia Records talent scout took some photos of all time, and one of the greatest guitarists of all time, ball-
him playing guitar in his white apron and chef’s hat, and gown notwithstanding, was born Lizzie Douglas in 1897.
dubbed him Barbecue Bob. The rest is history. His first But man, she hated that name. So from an early age, her
record, Barbecue Blues, was recorded in 1927 and sold family called her Kid. Kid Douglas cut her teeth early, on
15,000 copies, which made him a bestseller at the time. the street, with the circus, travelling and playing wherever
she could. And it paid off. By the time she was discovered
Tampa Red: Though he’s not the most famous on the in 1929, singing and shredding outside a barbershop by
list, he sure is one of the most important. Born sometime a Colombia Records talent scout, she was better than any
between 1900 and 1908, Hudson Woodbridge Whittaker man on the scene. She went to record for the first time in
took the rural blues and made it commercial with his New York City shortly after that. It was an A&R man for
brilliant songwriting and single-string guitar solos. He was the record company who gave her the name she’d make
one of the first to take the instrument electric. And in the famous – Memphis Minnie.
26 years of his career, he cut nearly 230 sides, releasing
more 78s than any other blues artist. As for his nickname? Sleepy John
Hudson was born in Tampa, FL. Hence the Tampa. And as Estes: John Estes,
for the Red? A combination of his red hair and his light born at the turn
complexion. of the century,
is known for his
distinct vocal style
and his work with
mandolin-master
“Yank” Rachell.
But he got his “Sleepy John” Estes (far right) pictured with
nickname, Sleepy Hammie Nixon and James “Yank” Rachell
John, from a few Photo by Dick Waterman
peculiar mannerisms. Some say he looked sleepy because
he was blind in one eye, after he got hit with a rock as
a young child. Others say it was a neurological disorder,
narcolepsy, which caused him to fall asleep while he was
playing, even if he was standing up. Still others claim he
had control over his sleepiness, that it wasn’t a disease but
a choice. Whenever things got too tough or too boring for
him, Sleepy John would check out. Just decide to go to sleep.

Champion Jack Dupree: Boogie-woogie piano man
and blues singer William Thomas Dupree was known for
his clever word play and his rolling style on the keys. But
he got his start using his hands in a different manner – as
a prizefighter. That boxing background is how he got the
nickname Champion Jack. He took that handle from the ring
David “Honeyboy” Edwards Photo by Phil Chesnut to the stage.

David “Honeyboy” Edwards: David “Honeyboy” That’s all for now. You got any favorite blues nicknames?
Edwards is a legend among those in the know. The Delta How ‘bout one of your own? What do you call yourself
guitar master, born in 1915, was first recorded by Alan when you’re on stage or singin’ in the shower? Let us know.
Lomax and toured with Big Joe Williams. He made great
friends with Robert Johnson and was actually there the night CC Rider devotes her life to the men and women of the blues,
Johnson lost his life. Though he worked as a musician all his the notes on the wax, the giants on whose shoulders we all
life, he wasn’t recorded commercially till 1951, when he cut now stand. She writes and voices CC Rider’s Venerations
a record under the name Mr. Honey. That’s a name given alongside Elwood on the BluesMobile Radio Hour. Check
to him by his parents, sharecropping musicians themselves. her out at ccriderblues.com and on a radio station near you.

78 Blues Festival Guide 2017