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W.C. Handy sees a man playing the guitar
W.C. Handy sees a “ragged loose-jointed black” playing the guitar in a Tutwiler, Mississippi railroad station. The unknown guitarist used a knife as a slide to play the guitar. Handy remarked “The event was unforgettable. His song, too, struck me instantly. Goin’ where the Southern cross the Dog. -
The first appearance of the word "Blues" in music
The first appearance of the word ‘blues’ in a piece of music: “The Dallas Blues” by Hart Wand. -
Mamie Smith records “Crazy Blues”
Mamie Smith records “Crazy Blues”, the first of the Race Records. Race Records, was the term used by recording companies at the time for recordings of black artists with the target audience of black audience. -
Tampa Red records "It's tight like that"
Georgia Born Tampa Red records “It’s Tight Like That”. This song is considered a predecessor to urban blues and spurned numerous imitators of the song and the style. -
Charlie Patton records 14 songs for Paramount
Mississippi Born Charlie Patton records 14 songs for Paramount Records in Richmond, Indiana. Charlie Patton would influence countless blues guitarists and musicians.Mississippi Born Charlie Patton records 14 songs for Paramount Records in Richmond, Indiana. Charlie Patton would influence countless blues guitarists and musicians. -
Blind Lemon Jefferson dies in Chicago.
Both his music and his success had a tremendous impact blues musicians across the Southern United States. -
The blues begins to catch on in England and Europe
Eric Clapton and the Yardbirds record John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom” among other blues standards in Surrey, England. The blues begins to catch on in England and Europe. -
Mississippi John Hurt, is found living
John Hurt is found living when many though him dead.