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Julius Daniels (b. November 20, 1901 in Denmark, SC, d. October 18, 1947 in Charlotte, NC) was a Piedmont blues musician. His song "99 Year Blues" appeared on the box set Anthology of American Folk Music and has been covered by Jim Kweskin, Chris Smither, Johnny Winter, Charlie Parr and Hot Tuna on their album Burgers. Daniels was born in Denmark, South Carolina, United States. He lived in Pineville, North Carolina, from 1912 to 1930, when he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. He first recorded in 1927, joined first by guitarist Bubba Lee Torrence and later by Wilbert Andrews. He was one of the first black musicians from the Southeastern United States to record. Daniels is buried at the Silver Mount Church Cemetery near Fort Mill, South Carolina.
The Historic Society of Bamberg County held the first Julius Daniels Memorial Blues Festival at the Dane Theater in Denmark, South Carolina, on October 23, 2010. Performers included Drink Small, Beverly Watkins, The Meeting Street Sheiks and Hitman.
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By Craig Harris
Although he only recorded a few tunes, Julius Daniels plays an important role in the history of Piedmont blues. One of the first Black artists to record in the southeast, Daniels inspired future bluesmen with his rich mix of finger-picked blues, sacred and country music.
Recording for the first time, in 1927, Daniels was accompanied by guitarist Bubba Lee Torrence, with whom he shared billing. During his second recording session, Daniels was joined by guitarist Wilbert Andrews.
A native of the small Bamberg County, South Carolina town of Denmark, Daniels lived in Pineville, in Berkeley County, between 1912 and 1930. Relocating to Charlotte in 1930, he lived the rest of his life in the North Carolinian city, working in a variety of jobs including fire fighter.
Daniels' best known song, "99 Year Blues", has been covered by Jim Kweskin, Chris Smither, Hot Tuna and Johnny Winter. It has been often credited as a possible source for the tune, "Viola Lee Blues", recorded by Cannon's Jug Stompers in the 1920s and the Grateful Dead in 1966.