b. September 2, 1911 in Chapel Hill, NC, d. May 9, 1976 in Sanford, NC. Sometimes known as Dipper Boy or The Devil's Daddy-In-Law, Council learned to play blues guitar (and also mandolin) in his youth and played on the streets of his home town in a small band. In 1937, he was spotted in this location by a talent scout, which led to his making records. Following two sessions in New York, three discs were released, and a later session produced a further two sides that remain unissued. On a number of other records, he played second guitar to Blind Boy Fuller, and his style was in the popular east coast vein associated with that artist. Indeed, some of his records were sub-credited to Blind Boy Fuller's Buddy. He continued to play for many years, although he did not record again. "Blind Boy Fuller's Buddy," Council's solo recordings from the 1930s are rare.
Council suffered a stroke in the late 1960s, which partially paralyzed his throat muscles and slowed his motor skills but did not significantly damage his cognitive abilities. The folklorist Peter B. Lowry attempted to record him one afternoon in 1970, but Council never regained his singing or playing abilities. Accounts say that he remained sharp in mind.
Council died in 1976 of a heart attack, after moving to Sanford, North Carolina. He was buried at White Oak AME Zion Cemetery in Sanford.
