Memphis Jug Band

Category: Artist
Time period: Pre-WWII

Date nominated: Feb 26, 2010
Date inducted: Sep 1, 2010
Ratings: 37
Average rating: 4.49

Your rating: Voting members only

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Of all the pre-war jug bands, the Memphis Jug Band was recorded the most, and contributed the most songs to the modern jug band repertoire. Led by Will Shade and featuring an ever-changing lineup that included a few Memphis legends, the band recorded over 70 sides for Victor and OKeh between 1927 and 1934. Their most enduring songs include "Stealin' Stealin'", "On the Road Again," "K.C. Moan" and "Jug Band Quartette" (a.k.a. "Jug Band Music").

The Memphis Jug Bands songs are quite eclectic, each contained elements of jazz, blues, string and gospel, but what really made these guys different and stand out from the crowd is that these guys were fun! Choosing to present each song with great humor..
Interestingly the bands line up would vary slightly from record to record offering a spring-board to lesser known musicians who in turn went on to achieve success and careers of their own...


Photos

Personnel

Name Instruments Birth Death
Tewee Blackman Guitar
Charlie Burse Guitar, Mandolin, Voice
Lizzie Douglas a.k.a. "Memphis Minnie" Guitar, Voice
Hattie Hart Voice
Walter Horton a.k.a. "Shakey" Harmonica, Washboard
Jab Jones a.k.a. "Poor Jab" Jug, Voice
Hambone Lewis Jug
Charlie Nickerson a.k.a. "Bozo" Voice
Charlie Polk Jug, Voice
Ben Ramey Kazoo, Voice
Milton Robie Fiddle
Will Shade a.k.a. "Son Brimmer" Guitar, Harmonica, Jug, Voice 02/05/98 Memphis, TN 09/18/66 Memphis, TN
Vol Stevens Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Voice
Will Weldon a.k.a. "Casey Bill" Guitar, Voice

Songs

Title Recorded  
Memphis Jug Blues 02/24/27 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Stingy Woman Blues 02/24/27 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Sun Brimmer's Blues 02/24/27 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Newport News Blues 02/27/27 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Snitchin' Gambler Blues 02/01/28 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Peaches In the Springtime 02/13/28 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Lindberg Hop (a.k.a. Overseas Stomp) 09/11/28 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
On the Road Again 09/11/28 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Sugar Pudding (a.k.a. Take Your Fingers Off It) 09/11/28 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Stealin' Stealin' 09/15/28 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Whitewash Station Blues 09/15/28 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
What's the Matter 09/17/29 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
K. C. Moan 10/04/29 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Everybody's Talking About Sadie Green 05/12/30 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Cave Man Blues 05/21/30 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Fourth Street Mess Around 05/21/30 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
It Won't Act Right 05/21/30 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Going Back to Memphis 06/05/30 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
He's in the Jailhouse Now 11/21/30 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Got a Letter From My Darling 11/26/30 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
You May Leave, But This Will Bring You Back 11/26/30 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Boodie Bum Bum 11/07/34 Chicago, IL Chords and Lyrics
Fishin' In the Dark 11/07/34 Chicago, IL Chords and Lyrics
Insane Crazy Blues 11/07/34 Chicago, IL Chords and Lyrics
Little Green Slippers 11/07/34 Chicago, IL Chords and Lyrics
She Done Sold It Out 11/07/34 Chicago, IL Chords and Lyrics
Jug Band Quartette (a.k.a. Jug Band Music) 11/08/34 Chicago, IL Chords and Lyrics