Music writer, historical commission seek to honor legacy of influential blues musician

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Music writer, historical commission seek to honor legacy of influential blues musician

yourhoustonnews.com - Before there was Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Eric Clapton, there was Algernon “Texas” Alexander.
In his popularity, he sang the blues across Texas, even traveling to New York City and Oklahoma singing and recording.
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Big Joe Williams

Delta blues pioneer famous for originating "Baby Please Don't Go."
Joe Lee Williams, b. October 16, 1903 in Crawford, MS, d. December 17, 1982 in Macon, MS. Big Joe Williams was one of the most important blues singers to have recorded and also one whose life conforms almost exactly to the stereotyped pattern of how a 'country' blues singer should live. He was of partial Red Indian stock, his father being 'Red Bone' Williams, a part-Cherokee. 'Big Joe' took his musical influences from his mother's family, the Logans. He made the obligatory 'cigar box' instruments as a child and took to the road when his stepfather threw him out around 1918. He later immortalized this antagonist in a song that he was still performing at the end of his long career. Williams' life was one of constant movement as he worked his way around the lumber camps, turpentine farms and juke joints of the south, playing with the Birmingham Jug Band in 1929. Aroun…

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Robert Wilkins

Memphis-based country blues artist famed for “Prodigal Son” and “Rolling Stone”.
Robert Timothy Wilkins, b. January 16, 1896 in Hernando, MS, d. May 26, 1987 in Memphis, TN, country blues guitarist and vocalist, of African-American and Cherokee descent. His distinction was his versatility: he could play ragtime, blues, minstrel songs, and gospel music with equal facility.
Wilkins moved to Memphis during World War I, and by the 20s was playing his guitar and singing in the blues joints of Beale Street. Between 1928 and 1934, he made a series of excellent recordings, which showed a carefully crafted approach, tailoring his finger-picking accompaniments to suit the lyrics as well as the tunes. Some of his records were issued under his middle name, Tim. There was a 30-year gap before he recorded again, following rediscovery in the days of the folk/blues boom. By this time he had renounced blues and played only religious music, having been ordained a minister in 1950. His overall style wa…

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