Page 56 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2024 Digital Edition

BLUES

FROM THE BLUEGRASS STATE

By Keith Clements and Natalie Carter
Blues music may have been born in the Delta, but Kentucky
produced many of its seminal artists. It was in Henderson, KY,
that W.C. Handy was inspired to turn this unique style into one
of America’s most enduring art forms. In his autobiography,
Father of the Blues, Handy wrote: “it was there that...I learned
to appreciate the music of my people... the blues were born,
because from that day on, I started thinking about putting my John Brim. Photo by Marilyn Szabo
own experience down in that particular kind of music.” That
inspiration led Handy to publish and popularize classics like the founding members of the Chicago blues scene, including
“St. Louis Blues,” Beale Street Blues,” and “Memphis Blues” in Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Willie Mabon, Memphis Minnie,
the early 1900s. Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red, Earl Hooker and Big Maceo.
Fiddler and guitarist Arnold Shultz, the son of a former Discography for John Brim and Grace Brim lists more than 60
slave, was born in Ohio County, KY. Shultz was a major recordings; notable among these is “Ice Cream Man,” which
influence in the development of the thumb style of guitar also charted for the rock band Van Halen.
playing; this evolved into the signature Kentucky sound for Other notable Kentucky blues pioneers include bones-
which such musicians as Chet Atkins, Doc Watson and Merle and-spoon player Will Moore, harmonica player Harvey
Travis became known. Through Shultz’s influence, Bill Monroe, Blakeman, guitarist John Wesley Townsend, pianist William
the “Father of Bluegrass,” infused his legendary playing with “Fess” Hamilton, guitarist Jack Gaines and fiddler Bill Livers.
blue notes and blues licks. They all held “day jobs” for a living – playing was a means
John Brim, better-known as a Chicago bluesman, was of entertainment. To this day, with few exceptions, this still
born in Hopkinsville, KY. He moved to Indianapolis in 1941, holds true for blues musicians and presenters of this truly
then to Chicago in 1945, where he wrote and recorded (with American art form.
his wife Grace) for Chess Records. Brim worked alongside Jug bands – pivotal to the development of the blues –
originated in Louisville, KY, and Memphis, TN. A jug band
includes one or more jug players, plus a mix of conventional
and homemade instruments. The swooping sounds of the
jug produce a sound halfway between the trombone and
sousaphone, playing mid-range and lower-range harmonies
in rhythm with a washtub bass, washboard, spoons, bones
and other improvised devices. Violinist Clifford Hayes’ Old
Southern Jug Band recorded as early as 1923. Whistler &
His Jug Band first recorded in September 1924, and Earl
McDonald’s (later Henry Miles’) Original Louisville Jug Band
was also among the first to record. Blues singer Sara Martin
often employed these bands for her recordings. Jug bands
Juggernaut Jug Band with Marjorie Marshall at the 2022 Germantown Schnitzelburg performed on streetcorners, played at parties and appeared
Blues Festival. Photo by Molly McCormack at the Kentucky Derby in 1903. The Juggernaut Jug Band

54 Blues Festival Guide 2024