Cannon's Jug Stompers

Category: Artist
Time period: Pre-WWII

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

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After many years as a medicine show performer, Gus Cannon first recorded with "Banjo Joe" with Blind Arthur Blake in Chicago in November of 1927. But he earned a central place in jug band history when he formed the Cannon's Jug Stompers at about the same time. Will Shade recommended the Jug Stompers to his record label and they started recording in Memphis in January of 1928.

Gus Cannon enjoys the distinction of having written the only jug band song to become a #1 record: the Rooftop Singers' version of Cannon's "Walk Right In" went to the top of the charts in 1963. With renewed interest in his music, Cannon recorded his final album for Stax records, featuring his friend Shade on jug and Milton Robie on washboard.

Besides "Walk Right In," other Jug Stompers songs like "Minglewood Blues" (written and re-recorded later by Noah Lewis) and "Viola Lee Blues" have become jug standards.

Photos

Personnel

Name Instruments Birth Death
Elijah Avery Banjo, Guitar
Gus Cannon a.k.a. "Banjo Joe" Banjo, Jug, Kazoo, Voice 09/12/83 Red Banks, MS 10/15/79 Memphis, TN
Ashley Thompson Guitar, Voice
Hosea Woods Banjo, Guitar, Kazoo, Voice

Songs

Title Recorded  
Boll Weevil Blues Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Minglewood Blues 01/30/28 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Viola Lee Blues 09/20/28 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Last Chance Blues 09/12/29 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Going to Germany 10/01/29 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Walk Right In 10/01/29 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Money Never Runs Out 11/28/30 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Prison Wall Blues 11/28/30 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics
Salty Dog 06/10/63 Memphis, TN Chords and Lyrics