Furry Lewis & Frank Stokes

about

Born March 6, 1899, in Greenwood, Mississippi, Lewis acquired the nickname "Furry" from childhood playmates. At the age of seven he and his family moved to Memphis, where young Lewis took up the guitar under the tutelage of a man whose name he recalled as "Blind Joe." Blind Joe apparently was versed in nineteenth century song and taught his protégé "Casey Jones" and "John Henry," songs based around the exploits of heroic figures. Lewis would later record these two songs for the Victor and Vocalion labels respectively. By 1908, he was playing solo for parties, in taverns, and on the street. He also was invited to play several dates with W.C. Handy's Orchestra. Lewis hoboed around the country until 1917, when he lost a leg in a railroad accident. He returned to Memphis, playing in association with Jim Jackson, Gus Cannon (who would form Cannon's Jug Stompers for recording dates), and Will Shade. Though primarily a solo performer, Lewis worked with this combination in a variety of clubs on Beale Street including the famous Pee Wee's (now the site of a Hard Rock Café) into the 1920s. The loss of a leg did not prevent him from touring during the early 1920s with the Dr. Willie Lewis Medicine Show, where he made the acquaintance of a young Memphis Minnie. His travels exposed him to a wide variety of performers including Bessie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Texas Alexander. Like his contemporary Frank Stokes, he tired of the road and took a permanent job in 1922. His position a

top songs

albums

Beale Street Blues (The Blues Collection Vol.61)

Beale Street Blues

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Blues Collection 61 - Beale Street Blues

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Vol.61 Furry Lewis & Frank Stokes (Beale Street Blues)

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The Blues Collection: Furry Lewis & Frank Stokes, Beale Street Blues

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The Blues Collection # 61 - Beale Street Blues

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Beale Street Blues - TBC 61

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Beale Street Blues (The Blues Collection Vol. 61)

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The Blues Collection 61 - Beale Street Blues

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The Blues Collection\61 - Beale Street Blues

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Beale Street Blues (Blues Collection No 61)

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61 Furry Lewis & Frank Stokes - Beale Street Blues

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