b. August, 1917 in Dallas, TX, d. June, 1956 in Lawton, OK. Discovered by band leader Jay McShann just a few days before his band’s debut recording session for Decca Records in Dallas in April 1941, vocalist Brown became the band’s biggest selling point, with his laid-back blues style on such successful titles as ‘Hootie Blues’, ‘Lonely Boy Blues’, and the million-selling ‘Confessin’ The Blues’. In 1945, owing to a drugs problem, Brown left the band to work and record as a soloist, although he often used McShann and/or old colleagues on his later recordings for King Records (1945/6), Signature (1947), Mercury Records (1947), Capitol Records (1949) and Peacock (1951). He is reported to have retired to Lawton, Oklahoma, during the early 50s, where he opened his own nightclub. He died in June 1956 from drug-related disorders. In spite of his personal life, Walter ‘Confessin’ The Blues’ Brown recorded over 50 individual blues in his unique lazy drawl during his 10-year recording career and seldom produced a less than outstanding performance. He has been named as a major influence by artists as diverse as Chuck Berry and Big Miller.