Joe Medwick

about

Joe Medwick (Medwick N. Veasey, Houston, Texas, June 21, 1931 – April 12, 1992) was an American rhythm & blues and soul songwriter and vocalist. Joe Medwick was the son of Rayfield Veasey and Renatta Watson. Though mainly noted as a lyricist whose songs were often covered by other singers, Veasey, best-known both personally and professionally as Joe Medwick, also recorded and released material (under pseudonyms) on various labels from 1958 through 1988. A lifelong Houstonian, Veasey grew up in Third Ward and attended Yates High School. As a youth he reportedly adopted the nickname “Joe” as a prefix to his given name because of the national popularity of the major league baseball player Joe Medwick (who first starred for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1930s). In his teens Veasey launched his singing career, performing with the Chosen Gospel Singers for approximately four years before turning his focus to secular music. Following an early-1950s stint serving in the United States Army in Korea, Medwick returned home and established himself at the Third Ward venue Shady’s Playhouse, a legendary showcase for blues musicians, some of whom (including Medwick’s frequent collaborator, pianist Teddy Reynolds) resided in the backyard cabins that the proprietor Vernon “Shady” Jackson offered for rent. There Medwick not only got to sing onstage but launched his major phase as a writer. During the mid-1950s he frequented a table at Shady’s Playhouse during the day and wrote lyrics on tab

top songs

albums

Voice Of Americana: Joe Medwick

Down and Out - The Sad Soul of the Black South

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Where Southern Soul Began 1954-1962

Get Soulful

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...Next Stop Is Vietnam: The War On Record: 1961 - 2008 (CD 1)

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Soul In Love - 35 Essential Love Songs

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I'M An After Hour Man

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I Feel Good

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3/60 Legends Of Soul

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Down & Out: The Sad Soul of the Black South

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Loving Soul - 50 Essential Love Songs

...Next Stop Is Vietnam - The War On Record, 1961-2008

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