Blues History – August

A Month of Blues History
August

This is the history of the blues – one month at a time.

August 1

1953 – Blues great Robert Cray was born on August 1, 1953, in Columbus, Georgia, and went on to become one of the most successful and influential blues artists of the modern era. Raised in a military family, Cray spent time in several states before settling in the Pacific Northwest, where he formed The Robert Cray Band in 1974.

1953 – Born August 1, 1953, Robert Cray helped bring blues to mainstream audiences with Strong Persuader and hits like “Smoking Gun. ” A five-time Grammy winner and Blues Hall of Fame inductee, he continues to tour and record, blending blues, soul, R&B, and rock with timeless style.

1934 – On August 1, 1934, Lead Belly was released from Louisiana State Penitentiary after serving more than four years. Although legend says he sang his way to freedom, historians credit good-time reductions and a commuted sentence. His release launched a legendary career that helped shape American folk and blues music.

1928 – Early days: Born on August 1, 1928, in La Grange, Texas, Smith started out playing saxophone and singing in Houston clubs during the 1940s. Switching instruments: After being shot in the chest, he switched to playing drums and performed with blues great Lightnin’ Hopkins. Shift to piano: He learned to play the piano while working with a band in Odessa, Texas.

August 2

1917 – Blues singer, songwriter, and barrelhouse pianist Walter Travis “Big Walter” Price was born near Gonzales, Texas, on August 2, 1917, and became one of the Lone Star State’s most colorful blues performers. Growing up with a piano at home, he taught himself to play in the key of C before singing with the gospel group the Northern Wonders.

1917 – Born August 2, 1917, Big Walter Price was a Texas blues singer, songwriter, and barrelhouse pianist whose energetic style earned him the nickname “The Thunderbird. ” Best known for “Calling Margie” and “Pack Fair and Square,” he influenced artists including Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley.

1944 – Mark Naftalin, born August 2, 1944 is an American blues keyboardist, recording artist, composer, and record producer. He appears on the first five albums by Paul Butterfield Blues Band in the mid 1960s as a band member, and as such was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

1983 – On August 2, 1983, the music world lost James Jamerson, the brilliant bassist whose inventive playing became the heartbeat of Motown. He died in Los Angeles at age 47 from complications including cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure, and pneumonia, just months after the televised Motown 25 special. Where he was overlooked to the point of having to buy a ticket to attend.

August 3

1934 – Alex “Easy Baby” Randall, born August 3, 1934, in Memphis, Tennessee, became one of Chicago’s most respected blues harmonica players and singers after relocating to the Windy City in 1956. Raised partly in Mississippi, he learned harmonica from his grandmother and uncle before playing professionally in Memphis juke joints. Where he crossed paths with future legends including Howlin’ Wolf, James Cotton, and Joe Hill Louis.

1934 – Born August 3, 1934, Alex “Easy Baby” Randall became a respected Chicago blues harmonica player after moving from Memphis in 1956. A fixture on the city’s club scene for decades, he recorded acclaimed albums, appeared at the Chicago Blues Festival, and helped preserve the classic postwar Chicago blues tradition until his death in 2009.

2005 – Blues musician Little Milton slips into a coma after suffering a stroke. The guitarist/singer wrote the tune ‘The Blues Is Alright.’ But clearly he isn’t. James “Little Milton” Campbell, known for blues hits such as 1969’s “Grits Ain’t Groceries,” dies of complications following a stroke at age 70.

1968 – The Newport Pop Festival opened on August 3, 1968, at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California, and became one of the first rock festivals to attract more than 100,000 paid attendees. The entry documents a date-specific milestone in the subject’s blues career and biography.

August 4

2012 – Electric blues guitarist Johnnie Bassett was born October 9, 1935, in Marianna, Florida, and died on this day, August 4, 2012. A master of jump blues and Detroit electric blues, he developed a sophisticated style shaped by early encounters with Tampa Red, Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, and other blues legends who performed at his family’s fish fries. T-Bone Walker remained his greatest influence, alongside B.B.

2012 – Born October 9, 1935, Johnnie Bassett became one of Detroit’s finest blues guitarists, blending jump blues with electric blues. He backed legends from John Lee Hooker to Tina Turner, earned numerous awards, and released his final album weeks before his death on August 4, 2012, leaving a lasting blues legacy.

2005 – Blues musician Little Milton slips into a coma after suffering a stroke. The guitarist/singer wrote the tune ‘The Blues Is Alright.’ But clearly he isn’t. James “Little Milton” Campbell, known for blues hits such as 1969’s “Grits Ain’t Groceries,” dies of complications following a stroke at age 70.

August 5

1951 – On August 5, 1951, Elmore James forever changed the sound of electric blues when he recorded “Dust My Broom” for Trumpet Records at Ivan Scott’s Radio Service Studio in Jackson, Mississippi. Built on Robert Johnson’s 1936 “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom,” James transformed the song with a searing amplified slide guitar intro that became one of the most recognizable riffs in music history.

1951 – On August 5, 1951, Elmore James recorded “Dust My Broom,” creating one of blues’ most influential slide guitar performances. The Trumpet Records release became the label’s only national R&B hit, inspired generations of guitarists, and was later honored by the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress.

1921 – Thomas “T.N.T.” Tribble was born on August 5, 1921, in Canon, Georgia, and became one of the most dynamic figures on the Washington, D.C., rhythm-and-blues scene. A talented drummer, singer, songwriter, and bandleader, Tribble earned his explosive nickname through his energetic stage performances and powerful musical presence.

1937 – Ed Kelly’s Washboard Band recorded “Shim Shamming.”. The entry documents a date-specific milestone in the subject’s blues career and biography.

August 6

1922 – Unsung blues legend Willie Nix was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 6, 1922, and became one of the most original blues drummers, singers, and songwriters to emerge from Beale Street. Beginning as a tap dancer with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels, he developed the driving sense of rhythm that defined his music before joining Memphis’s thriving postwar blues scene.

1922 – Born August 6, 1922, in Memphis, Willie Nix was an influential blues drummer, singer, and songwriter whose gritty recordings and powerful rhythms shaped postwar blues. He performed with B.B. King, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Elmore James, and Ike Turner before his death on July 8, 1991.

1900 – Delta blues pioneer Willie Brown was born on August 6, 1900, although some sources suggest 1899, and his birthplace is variously listed as Clarksdale or Shelby, Mississippi. A gifted guitarist and understated vocalist, Brown became one of the defining accompanists of early Delta blues, shaping the music of Son House, Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, and later Muddy Waters.

1900 – Born August 6, 1900, Willie Brown was a pioneering Delta blues guitarist whose rhythmic playing influenced Son House, Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, and Muddy Waters. Though few recordings survive, his 1930 Paramount sessions and 1941 Library of Congress recordings secured his place in blues history.

August 7

1937 – Magic Slim, born Morris Holt on August 7, 1937, in Torrance, Mississippi, became one of the last great standard-bearers of traditional Chicago blues. After losing his little finger in a cotton gin accident, he switched from piano to guitar. His childhood friend Magic Sam gave him the nickname “Magic Slim,” a name that would become legendary in blues circles.

1937 – Born Aug 7, 1937, Magic Slim became one of Chicago blues’ greatest traditional guitarists and bandleaders. With the Teardrops, he built a worldwide following through relentless touring, powerful recordings, and gritty performances. Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2017, his legacy remains a cornerstone of Chicago blues.

1891 – Houston country blues singer and guitarist L.V. Thomas was born L.V. Grant on August 7, 1891, on Washington Avenue in Houston, Texas; Paramount Records transformed her initials into the name “Elvie,” but fellow musicians called her “Slack,” a nickname heard in the introduction to “Pick Poor Robin Clean.” Later, after leaving secular music, church members knew her as Mama Thomas or Sister L.V.

1891 – Born August 7, 1891, Houston blues guitarist and singer L.V. “Elvie” Thomas left a lasting mark with her rare 1930 Paramount recordings alongside Geeshie Wiley. Though she later devoted herself to church, her music was rediscovered by new audiences after “Pick Poor Robin Clean” appeared in the 2025 film Sinners.

August 8

1950 – Willie Clarence “Too Big” Hall was born on August 8, 1950, in Memphis, Tennessee, and became one of the most accomplished drummers to emerge from the city’s legendary soul and blues scene. He began playing professionally while still in high school, joining the Bar-Kays before becoming a member of Isaac Hayes’ backing band, The Movement.

1950 – Born August 8, 1950, Memphis drummer Willie “Too Big” Hall helped define the Stax sound before joining Booker T. & the M.G.’s and the Blues Brothers Band. His legendary groove powered recordings by Isaac Hayes, Albert King, The Staple Singers, and many others, making him one of soul and blues’ most respected drummers.

1920 – Born August 8, 1920, Jimmy Witherspoon became one of the greatest postwar blues shouters, scoring a No. 1 R&B hit with “Ain’t Nobody’s Business. ” His powerful voice bridged blues and jazz, earned Grammy nominations, and led to his 2008 induction into the Blues Hall of Fame after his death in 1997.

August 9

1908 – Blues and boogie-woogie pianist Robert Shaw, born August 9, 1908, in Stafford, Texas, was one of the last masters of the Texas barrelhouse piano tradition. Though he made relatively few recordings, his thunderous left hand, intricate rhythms, and driving style made him one of the genre’s most influential pianists. His best-known work is the landmark 1963 album Texas Barrelhouse Piano, later reissued as The Ma Grinder.

1908 – Born August 9, 1908, Robert Shaw was a master of Texas barrelhouse piano whose landmark album The Ma Grinder preserved a nearly lost blues tradition. Rediscovered in the 1960s, he returned to international stages before his death in Austin on May 18, 1985, leaving a lasting musical legacy.

1947 – Trudy Lynn, born August 9, 1947 is an American electric blues and soul blues singer and songwriter, whose recorded work has been released on twelve studio albums, one live album, and four compilation albums. The entry documents a date-specific milestone in the subject’s blues career and biography.

1978 – On August 9, 1978, Muddy Waters brought Chicago blues to one of America’s most famous stages when he performed at the annual White House Staff Picnic at the personal invitation of President Jimmy Carter. The appearance reflected Carter’s genuine appreciation for American roots music and his belief that the blues deserved national recognition alongside the country’s other great musical traditions.

August 10

1909 – A true music icon arrived on August 10, 1909, when Clarence Leonidas “Leo” Fender was born in Anaheim, California. Although he never learned to play guitar, and only experimented with saxophone and piano, his talent for electronics and practical design changed modern music forever.

1920 – “Crazy Blues,” recorded by Mamie Smith and Her Jazz Hounds on August 10, 1920, it transformed the American recording industry and launched the commercial blues era. Smith was not the first artist to record a blues song, but hers became the first recording by a Black blues singer to achieve nationwide commercial success.

1920 – Songwriter Perry Bradford spent months convincing executives at OKeh Records to record Black artists. Earlier in 1920, he persuaded the label to record Smith singing two non-blues selections. After those records sold well, OKeh agreed to another session.

1920 – Recorded on August 10, 1920, Mamie Smith’s “Crazy Blues” became the first major commercial blues hit by a Black singer. Its success shattered industry myths about the market for African American artists, launched the “race records” era, and paved the way for legends including Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Alberta Hunter, and Ida Cox.

August 11

1887 – Among the earliest recorded blues pioneers, “Crying” Sam Collins helped shape the sound of South Mississippi blues long before the genre reached a national audience. Born in Louisiana on August 11, 1887, and raised in McComb, Mississippi, Collins developed a deeply expressive style built around haunting vocals and weeping bottleneck guitar.

1887 – Born on August 11, 1887, “Crying” Sam Collins became one of the earliest recorded blues pioneers. His haunting bottleneck guitar and emotional vocals defined the South Mississippi blues style. Best known for “The Jail House Blues,” his influential recordings helped preserve the roots of prewar country blues for future generations.

1963 – Few artists embody the spirit of modern Detroit blues as completely as Thornetta Davis. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on August 11, 1963, Davis has spent decades carrying the Motor City’s rich blues tradition to audiences around the world. Her commanding voice, soulful delivery, and electrifying stage presence have earned her the title “Detroit’s Queen of the Blues,” making her one of the city’s most celebrated musical ambassadors.

1963 – Born in Detroit on August 11, 1963, Thornetta Davis rose to become “Detroit’s Queen of the Blues. ” Her powerful blend of blues, soul, and R&B earned collaborations with music legends, more than 30 Detroit Music Awards, and multiple Blues Music Awards, cementing her place among today’s premier blues vocalists.

August 12

1955 – On August 12, 1955, Sonny Boy Williamson II walked into Chicago’s Checker Records studio and recorded the song that would become his biggest commercial success, “Don’t Start Me Talkin’. ” It marked his first session for Checker after the collapse of Trumpet Records and launched a new chapter in one of the most influential careers in Chicago blues.

1955 – Recorded on August 12, 1955, Sonny Boy Williamson II’s “Don’t Start Me Talkin'” became his biggest hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart. Backed by Chicago blues legends, the classic inspired countless cover versions and was later inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

1920 – Known as “the Poet Laureate of the Blues,” Percy Mayfield transformed personal hardship into one of the most celebrated songwriting careers in American music. Born in Minden, Louisiana, on August 12, 1920, Mayfield paired smooth, understated vocals with thoughtful, introspective lyrics that explored love, loneliness, morality, and the complexities of human relationships.

1920 – Born in Minden, Louisiana, on August 12, 1920, Percy Mayfield became the “Poet Laureate of the Blues. ” After a career-altering car accident, he wrote classics including “Hit the Road Jack” and “Please Send Me Someone to Love,” leaving a lasting legacy as one of blues’ greatest songwriters.

August 13

1943 – The ever-talented blues singer and entertainer Mississippi Slim was born August 13, 1943, in Shelby, Mississippi. Born Walter Horn Jr., he grew up in nearby Greenville. Where he worked as a tractor driver while developing his musical skills in local juke joints.

1943 – Born on August 13, 1943, Mississippi Slim, born Walter Horn Jr., became a colorful Delta blues ambassador known for his flamboyant style and soulful performances. He recorded memorable blues albums, toured with legendary artists, and later taught young musicians through Mississippi’s Blues in Schools program. He died on April 14, 2010.

1921 – Born on August 13, 1921, Jimmy McCracklin became one of the West Coast blues’ most influential artists, writing nearly 1,000 songs during a seven-decade career. His 1958 hit “The Walk” brought national fame, and he remained a respected performer and songwriter until his death on December 20, 2012.

1919 – Detroit blues singer and guitarist Robert Henry “Baby Boy” Warren was born August 13, 1919, in Lake Providence, Louisiana. He moved with his family to Memphis when he was only three months old. Two older brothers taught him guitar, and by about 1931 he was playing for money; His brothers also gave him the nickname “Baby Boy,” which stayed with him into adulthood.

August 14

1958 – Blues giant Big Bill Broonzy died August 14, 1958. From country blues to the emerging Chicago sound, he helped shape 20th-century blues while recording hundreds of songs, including “Key to the Highway. ” A prolific songwriter and international performer, Broonzy influenced generations of blues musicians.

1942 – Frank “Son” Seals was born August 14, 1942, in Osceola, Arkansas, although some say August 13th instead, where the blues surrounded him from childhood. His father, Jim “Son” Seals, owned the legendary Dipsey Doodle Club, a juke joint that hosted giants such as Robert Nighthawk, Albert King, and Sonny Boy Williamson. Watching these performers night after night gave young Frank an education few musicians could match.

1942 – Born on August 14, 1942,, some say Aug 13th Son Seals became one of Chicago blues’ fiercest guitarists after learning from legends at his father’s Arkansas juke joint. His powerful recordings for Alligator Records and relentless performances earned him Blues Hall of Fame induction in 2009, five years after his death on December 20, 2004.

1942 – Chicago electric blues guitarist Frank “Son” Seals was born August 14, 1942. The entry documents a date-specific milestone in the subject’s blues career and biography.

August 15

1950 – The blues classic “That’s All Right” or “That’s Alright” was recorded singer and guitarist Jimmy Rogers in Chicago on August 15, 1950. He recorded it with Little Walter on harmonica. Although based on earlier blues songs, Rogers’ rendition became a blues standard and has been recorded by numerous blues and other artists.

1950 – Jimmy Rogers recorded the blues classic “That’s All Right” in Chicago on August 15, 1950, with Little Walter on harmonica and Big Crawford on bass. Released as Rogers’ Chess Records debut, it became a Chicago blues standard and helped launch his nine-year association with the label.

1911 – Influential blues singer and harmonica player Buster Brown was born August 15, 1911, in Cordele, Georgia. Long before commercial success, Brown played local clubs during the 1930s and 1940s, developing a whooping, high-energy harmonica style strongly influenced by Sonny Terry.

August 16

1951 – Acoustic blues singer and guitarist Eric Bibb was born August 16, 1951, in New York City. Raised among folk legends, he developed a distinctive blend of blues, folk, gospel and soul. A three-time Grammy nominee with more than 40 albums, Bibb remains an active international performer and recording artist.

1915 – Texas country blues singer and guitarist Melvin “Lil’ Son” Jackson was born August 16, 1915, near Tyler, Texas. His father, Johnny Jackson, sang and played music, while his mother, Ivora Allen, played gospel guitar. Jackson absorbed records by Blind Lemon Jefferson, Texas Alexander and Lonnie Johnson before forming the gospel group the Blue Eagle Four.

1915 – Texas country blues singer and guitarist Lil’ Son Jackson was born August 16, 1915, near Tyler, Texas. His “Freedom Train Blues” became a national hit, followed by recordings for Imperial Records. After leaving music in the 1950s, he briefly returned to record for Arhoolie; Jackson died May 30, 1976.

1923 – Electric blues guitarist, harmonica player and singer Eddie Kirkland was born August 16, 1923, the date he gave throughout his life. He said he was born in Kingston, Jamaica, although modern researchers note that his birthplace and even birth year remain uncertain. Raised around Dothan, Alabama, he absorbed field hollers and traveling music at an early age.

August 17

1939 – Blues singer-songwriter and guitarist Luther Allison was born August 17, 1939 in Widener, Arkansas, although some accounts suggest his actual place of birth was Mayflower, Arkansas. The entry documents a date-specific milestone in the subject’s blues career and biography.

1939 – Blues guitarist and singer Luther Allison was born August 17, 1939, in Arkansas. After moving to Chicago, he learned from blues greats including Howlin’ Wolf and Freddie King before launching his own career. Known for fiery guitar solos and electrifying shows, Allison became an international blues star; He died August 12, 1997.

1937 – Louisiana blues guitarist Gabriel “Guitar Gable” Perrodin was born August 17, 1937, in Bellevue, Louisiana. Inspired by Guitar Slim, he taught himself guitar as a teenager and helped shape Louisiana swamp blues and swamp pop in the 1950s.

1937 – Louisiana blues guitarist Guitar Gable was born August 17, 1937. A key figure in swamp blues and swamp pop, he recorded with the Musical Kings and backed Slim Harpo on classics including “I’m a King Bee.” His distinctive guitar helped define the Excello sound. Gable died January 28, 2017.

August 18

1928 – Chicago blues singer and songwriter Barkin’ Bill Smith was born on August 18, 1928. The entry documents a date-specific milestone in the subject’s blues career and biography.

1911 – Sister Ola Mae Terrell was born August 18 in 1911. The entry documents a date-specific milestone in the subject’s blues career and biography.

August 19

1935 – Soul blues and R&B singer Earl Gaines Jr. was born August 19, 1935, in Decatur, Alabama. Raised partly in Alabama and Nashville, he sang gospel as a youngster and listened to blues and R&B broadcasts from Nashville’s WLAC. At 16 he moved to Nashville, where songwriter and producer Ted Jarrett helped him find club work and cut demos.

1935 – Soul blues singer Earl Gaines Jr. , born August 19, 1935, scored his biggest success singing the 1955 R&B hit “It’s Love Baby, 24 Hours a Day.” A fixture of Nashville’s R&B scene, he recorded for numerous labels, toured with major stars, and enjoyed a late-career revival. Gaines died December 31, 2009, at age 74.

1960 – Big Daddy Wilson, born Adam Wilson Blount on August 19, 1960, in Edenton, North Carolina, is an American blues and soul singer-songwriter. Raised by his mother and grandmother, he sang in church and worked in tobacco and cotton fields before leaving school at 16.

1960 – Big Daddy Wilson, born August 19, 1960, in North Carolina, discovered the blues while serving in the U.S. Army in Germany. He remained in Europe and built an international career blending blues, soul, gospel and country, recording numerous albums and performing at major festivals worldwide.

August 20

1944 – Texas blues drummer “Uncle” John Turner was born August 20, 1944, in Port Arthur, Texas. He began playing professionally at 13, first on guitar and bass before settling behind the drums. An early association with singer Jerry LaCroix helped launch a career that would place Turner at the heart of Texas blues-rock.

1931 – Southern soul singer Sir Lattimore Brown was born August 20, 1931. He was a regular on the Chitlin’ Circuit from the early 1960s and performed with Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Etta James, Jackie Wilson and Muddy Waters, but later faded into obscurity with several publications believing he had died in the 1980s.

1920 – New Orleans jazz, blues and R&B pianist Dave “Fat Man” Williams was born August 20, 1920, in New Orleans. The son of Dave Sr. and Viola Frazier Williams, he learned piano from his mother, a church pianist and organist, and was playing by age five.

August 21

1939 – The entry documents a date-specific milestone in the subject’s blues career and biography.

1937 – Classie Ballou Jr. was born on August 21, 1937, in Elton, Louisiana, and became one of the Gulf Coast region’s most respected blues and soul performers. Raised in a musical family, he began singing in church and performing locally while still young. Drawing from blues, soul, swamp pop, and rhythm and blues, Ballou developed a smooth vocal style that made him a favorite throughout Louisiana and East Texas.

1937 – Born in Elton, Louisiana, on August 21, 1937, Classie Ballou Jr. Became a respected Gulf Coast blues and soul singer known for his smooth vocals and energetic performances. Leading Classie Ballou and the Family Band, he built a loyal regional following while preserving Louisiana’s rich blues heritage.

1923 – On August 21, 1923, classic blues singer Rosa Henderson entered a New York recording studio and recorded “So Long To You And The Blues” for Vocalion Records. Accompanied by the rising pianist and bandleader Fletcher Henderson, the performance showcased the polished style that helped make Rosa one of the most successful female blues singers of the 1920s.

August 22

1923 – Piedmont blues guitarist and singer Carolina Slim was born August 22, 1923 born in Leasburg, North Carolina. His best-known records are “Black Cat Trail” and “I’ll Never Walk in Your Door”.

1923 – Carolina Slim, born Edward Harris on August 22, 1923, was a Piedmont blues guitarist and singer whose music also reflected the influence of Texas blues. Recording under several names, he cut 27 songs between 1950 and 1952, including “Black Cat Trail” and “I’ll Never Walk in Your Door. ” He died in 1953 at just 30.

1890 – Delta blues fiddler Henry “Son” Sims, born August 22, 1890, is best remembered for accompanying Charley Patton and a young Muddy Waters. A versatile Mississippi musician, he recorded with Patton in 1929 and Waters in 1941, and also worked with Robert Nighthawk. Sims died in December 1958 at age 68.

1917 – Known worldwide as the “King of the Boogie,” John Lee Hooker was born August 22, 1917, near Clarksdale, Mississippi, although records of his exact birthplace and birth year vary. Raised in a sharecropping family, he first sang gospel. His stepfather, blues guitarist William Moore, taught him guitar and shaped his distinctive style.

August 23

1952 – Louisiana soul-blues singer Dalton Reed was born August 23, 1952, in Cade, Louisiana, near Lafayette. He sang in church as a child and played trumpet in his high-school marching band. As a teenager he embraced R&B and soul, shaping his deep Southern style.

1916 – R&B pianist Sonny Thompson, probably born August 23, 1916, scored No. 1 hits with “Long Gone” and “Late Freight.” As a King Records producer, musician and songwriter, he worked with Lula Reed and helped launch Freddie King’s recording career. Thompson died August 11, 1989.

1952 – Canadian blues guitarist, harmonica player, singer and songwriter Big Dave McLean was born August 23, 1952, in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. The son of a minister and concert pianist, he moved with his family to Winnipeg at age 10. His older brother’s record collection introduced him to the blues, and he soon took up harmonica.

August 24

1905 – Blues singer, songwriter and guitarist Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup was born August 24, 1905, in Forest, Mississippi, and became one of the most influential links between Delta blues and early rock and roll. He did not take up guitar seriously until his 30s, first singing gospel before turning to blues.

1905 – Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, born August 24, 1905, helped bridge Delta blues and early rock and roll. His songs “That’s All Right,” “My Baby Left Me” and “So Glad You’re Mine” were later recorded by Elvis Presley. Despite their success, Crudup struggled to collect royalties; He died March 28, 1974, and entered the Blues Hall of Fame in 1994.

1915 – Wynonie “Mr. Blues” Harris, born August 24, 1915, was a dynamic blues shouter whose powerful voice, humor and energetic performances helped shape early rock and roll. His 1948 hit “Good Rocking Tonight” emphasized the backbeat that became a rock hallmark; Harris died June 14, 1969, and entered the Blues Hall of Fame in 1994.

1952 – New Orleans blues guitarist and singer Guitar Slim Jr. , born Rodney Glenn Armstrong on August 24, 1952, is the son of influential bluesman Eddie “Guitar Slim” Jones, whose 1954 hit “The Things That I Used to Do” became a blues standard.

August 25

1976 – Blues and guitarist Castro Coleman aka Mr. Sipp was born on August 25, 1976 Mr. Sipp is the 2014 International Blues Challenge winner by way of The Vicksburg Blues Society as well as the 2014 Gibson Best Guitarist Award Winner; The same year Castro was given the Bobby Rush Entertainer of the Year Award by the Jus’ Blues Foundation.

1976 – Blues guitarist and singer Castro Coleman, aka Mr. Sipp, was born August 25, 1976, in McComb, Mississippi. After a successful gospel career, he turned to blues and won the 2014 International Blues Challenge and Gibson Best Guitarist Award; His honors also include a 2016 Blues Music Award and multiple Living Blues and Jackson Music Awards.

1901 – Memphis blues singer and multi-instrumentalist Charlie “Uke” Burse was born August 25, 1901, in Decatur, Alabama, and was raised in Sheffield. Known as “Uke Kid Burse,” “The Ukulele Kid” and “Laughing Charlie,” he became one of the most colorful figures in Memphis jug band music.

1913 – Blues and R&B singer Preacher Stephens is reported to have been born August 25, 1913, although details of his birthplace, early life and even his full name remain elusive. Like many performers who recorded for small independent labels during the postwar years, Stephens left behind only a handful of sides and little biographical documentation.

August 26

1901 – Blues and jazz shouter Jimmy Rushing was born August 26, 1901, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Raised in a musical family, he learned violin and piano and studied at Douglass High School, whose celebrated music program was led by Zelia N. Breaux; His father played tuba in local bands, and Rushing sang and worked at the family lunchroom in Oklahoma City’s Deep Deuce district.

1901 – Blues shouter Jimmy Rushing, born August 26, 1901, in Oklahoma City, became famous for his powerful vocals with Count Basie’s orchestra. Known as “Mr. Five-by-Five,” he later recorded with Dave Brubeck, Coleman Hawkins and Benny Goodman; Rushing died June 8, 1972, and was honored with a U.S; postage stamp in 1994.

1960 – On August 26, 1960, blues guitarist Freddie King recorded “Hide Away” at King Studios in Cincinnati, creating one of the most influential guitar instrumentals in blues history. King was backed by pianist and producer Sonny Thompson, bassist Bill Willis and drummer Philip Paul. Released on Federal Records, the song became King’s signature instrumental.

1960 – Freddie King recorded “Hide Away” on August 26, 1960, creating a blues guitar classic from riffs heard around Chicago’s clubs. Released on Federal, it reached No. 5 on Billboard’s R&B chart and No; 29 on the Hot 100; The influential instrumental later entered both the Grammy and Blues Halls of Fame.

August 27

1926 – Chicago blues drummer Odie Payne Jr. was born August 27, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois. One of the architects of postwar blues rhythm, Payne combined formal training with a deep understanding of swing, jazz and blues, helping shape the drumming language of electric Chicago blues.

1902 – Blues, gospel and vaudeville singer Mary Smith McClain, better known as “Diamond Teeth” Mary, was born August 27, 1902, in Huntington, West Virginia. The half-sister of Bessie Smith, she built a remarkable performing career spanning more than 70 years.

1926 – Mamie Smith recorded “Goin’ Crazy With The Blues.”. The entry documents a date-specific milestone in the subject’s blues career and biography.

August 28

1928 – Delta blues musician Lee Chester “L. C.” Ulmer was born on August 28, 1928. His career spanned over half a century and he was featured in the 2008 documentary film M for Mississippi: A Road Trip Through the Birthplace of the Blues.

1928 – Delta blues musician L.C. Ulmer, born August 28, 1928, in Stringer, MS, grew up in a musical family and learned guitar by age nine. Influenced by Blind Lemon Jefferson and Blind Roosevelt Graves, the multi-instrumentalist spent decades playing juke joints before gaining wider recognition late in life for his distinctive Delta blues style.

1904 – Jazz, blues and R&B bandleader Ernest Lawrence “Ernie” Fields was born August 28, 1904, in Nacogdoches, Texas, and raised in Taft, Oklahoma. He studied electrical engineering at Tuskegee Institute, graduating in 1924, while developing his skills as a trombonist in the school’s marching band.

1904 – Bandleader Ernie Fields, born August 28, 1904, led one of the Southwest’s most popular territory bands, blending jazz, blues and later R&B. His 1959 version of “In the Mood” became a Top 10 hit and earned a gold record. Fields, an Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, died May 11, 1997, in Tulsa at age 92.

August 29

1924 – Blues and jazz singer Dinah Washington was born August 29, 1924 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She was one of the most popular black female recording artists of the 1950s. She performed and recorded in a wide variety of styles including jazz, blues, R&B, and traditional pop music, and gave herself the title of “Queen of the Blues”.

1934 – Versie Eugene “Gene” Allison was born August 29, 1934, in Pegram, Tennessee, and grew up in Nashville singing church music with his brother Leevert. Still in high school, he earned fill-in work with the legendary Fairfield Four. He later sang with the Skylarks, where producer and songwriter Ted Jarrett heard something worth pulling into rhythm and blues.

1978 – Italian blues drummer Tony Mangiullo met Junior Wells and Buddy Guy in Milan and came to Chicago in 1978, determined to experience the music at its source. The entry documents a date-specific milestone in the subject’s blues career and biography.

August 30

1915 – Jump blues pianist, singer and songwriter Mercy Dee Walton was born August 30, 1915, in Waco, Texas. The son of farmworkers, he began playing piano at 13, learning from musicians heard at house parties and country gatherings. His strongest influence was pianist Delois Maxey, while other Texas players, including the Grey Ghost, Roosevelt T; Williams, helped shape his barrelhouse style.

1915 – Mercy Dee Walton, born August 30, 1915, in Waco, Texas, transformed his experiences as a California farmworker into memorable piano blues. His “One Room Country Shack” became a blues standard, and he recorded with K.C. Douglas and Sidney Maiden; Walton died December 2, 1962, at age 47.

August 31

1962 – Blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Joanna Connor was born August 31, 1962, in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Massachusetts. She moved to Chicago in 1984 and immersed herself in the city’s blues scene. She worked with Dion Payton’s 43rd Street Blues Band and shared stages with artists including James Cotton, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy and A.C; Reed.

1962 – Joanna Connor, born August 31, 1962, became a force in Chicago blues with her powerful vocals and explosive slide guitar. Her 2021 album 4801 South Indiana Avenue reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Blues Albums chart; She followed with Best of Me in 2023, blending blues, rock, soul and funk while continuing her decades-long career.

1907 – Blues singer and occasional guitarist Nelson Wilborn born was August 31, 1907. Better known as Red Nelson or Dirty Red, his recording career lasted well over a decade.