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Artist
Daddy Stovepipe
12+ albums
blues
about
Johnny Watson (April 12, 1867 - November 1, 1963) was an African American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player, best known for his recordings under the name Daddy Stovepipe. Watson also recorded as Jimmy Watson, Sunny Jim and Rev. Alfred Pitts. He may have been the earliest-born blues performer to record. Many of his recordings were jug band duets with his wife, Sarah Watson, who was usually credited as Mississippi Sarah. Watson was born in Mobile, Alabama. His career began before 1900 in Mexico as a twelve-string guitarist in early mariachi bands. He then established himself as an entertainer with the Rabbit's Foot Minstrels touring around the southern states. By the 1920s, he was working as a one-man band on Maxwell Street in Chicago, where he acquired the name "Daddy Stovepipe" from the characteristic top hat he wore. He first recorded in 1924, in Richmond, Indiana, recording "Sundown Blues" which is regarded as one of the most primitive blues on record. In 1927 he made more recordings, this time in Birmingham, Alabama for Gennett Records, as one half of the duo "Sunny Jim and Whistlin' Joe". He made more recordings back in Chicago in 1931 for the Vocalion label with his wife, "Mississippi Sarah", a singer and jug player. The couple's humorous banter made their recordings unique. They recorded together again in 1935 for Bluebird Records, by which time they were living in Greenville, Mississippi, but Sarah's death in 1937 sent her husband back out on the road. He t
top songs
albums
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Alabama: Black Country Dance Bands (1924-1949)
Rough Guide to the Blues Songsters
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Country Blues Outlaws
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A Cigar Box Nation Christmas
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Jugband Specials - 25 Great Original Recordings 1926-1935
Tuxedo Blues
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First Time I Met the Blues (When the Sun Goes Down series)
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A Richer Tradition - Country Blues & String Band Music, 1923-1937, CD A
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Alabama Black Country Dance Bands
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100 Essential Blues Masters
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And This Is Free: The Life And Times Of Chicago's Legendary Maxwell Street
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Poor Man's Heaven - Blues And Tales Of The Great Depression - When The Sun Goes Down Series