b. Jim Bledsoe, b. c. 1925, near Shreveport, LA, date and location of death unknown, blues singer and guitarist. A somewhat obscure character, Bledsoe made several records in Shreveport, in 1949-50. As the pseudonym suggests, his music was down-home country blues, accompanied only by his guitar, a string bass, and occasional drums. His first record was issued on the local Pacemaker label, under the name Hot Rod Happy, but the later ones appeared on Imperial and had wider distribution. A year or so later, he completed a couple of long sessions for the Specialty company, but nothing was issued at the time, although a few sides appeared on albums in the 70s.
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Discography:
Pacemaker HB 1014
- Hot Rod Boogie (A);
- Worried Blues (B);
rec. 1949 in Shreveport, LA by Tillman Franks; James Bledsoe, vcl, gtr, b; dr.
Imperial 5062
- Rainy Morning Blues (IM146);
- Avenue Breakdown (IM147);*
rec. c. January 1950 in Shreveport, LA at KWKH studios; James Bledsoe, vcl, gtr, b; *dr.
Imperial 5073
- Old River Blues (IM144);
- I'll Take You Back Baby (IM145);
rec. c. January 1950 in Shreveport, LA at KWKH studios; James Bledsoe, vcl, gtr, b.
Imperial 5091
- Sad And Lonely Blues (IM186);
- Philippine Blues (IM188);
rec. April 1950 in Shreveport, LA at KWKH studios; James Bledsoe, vcl, gtr.
Specialty SPS 2149
- Mean Little Girl;
- Jimmie's Jump;
- Dial 110 Blues;*
- Don't Want Me Blues;*
- Lonesome Today;
- Travis Street Blues;
- Hollywood Blues;
- Texas Street Blues;
- Going Away Baby;
- Gonna Leave Baby;
- Last Winter Blues;
- Stormin' And Rainin';
- Come Back Baby;
- Hollywood Boogie;
- Run Around
- One Thing My Baby Likes;*
- Jesus Said I'll Go;
- It's So Lonesome;
- Undertaker;
- I'll Be Waitin' Up There;
rec. 1951/52 [one of the sessions on March 12, 1952] in Shreveport, LA at KWKH studios; James Bledsoe, vcl, gtr; *unknown, dr.