| Ramblin' Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Willard Thomas |
| Born | 1902 Logansport, Louisiana, United States |
| Died | 1945 Memphis, Tennessee, Tennessee, United States |
| Genres | Texas blues, country blues[1] |
| Occupations | Singer, guitarist, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Labels | Paramount, Victor |
| Associated acts | Jesse Thomas |
Ramblin' Thomas (1902–1945)[1] was an American blues singer, guitarist and songwriter. He was the brother of another blues musician, Jesse Thomas. Thomas is best remembered for his slide guitar playing, and recording several pieces in the late 1920s and early 1930s.[2] Blues scholars seem undecided if Thomas's nickname of Ramblin' was in reference to his style of playing, or itinerant nature.[1][3]
Contents |
Willard Thomas was born in Logansport, Louisiana, one of nine children.[4] His father played the fiddle, and three brothers Joe L., Jesse, and Willard learnt to play the guitar, with Willard particularly practising slide guitar techniques.[1] Thomas relocated to Deep Ellum, Dallas, Texas in the late 1920s, and was influenced by the playing of Lonnie Johnson.[4] He performed in San Antonio, Oklahoma and possibly St. Louis, Missouri in his subsequent travels.[1] Thomas recorded in both Dallas and Chicago between 1928 and 1932, for Paramount Records and Victor Records.[5][6]
Thomas reportedly died of tuberculosis in 1945 in Memphis, Tennessee. Document Records are amongst the record labels (e.g. Heritage Records) to have released retrospective compilations of Thomas' work, although the artist's sporadic recording stints meant that no albums were released in his lifetime.[1]
All known recorded songs are:- "Back Gnawing Blues," "Cryin' for You Blues," "Down in Texas Blues," "Good Night," "Good Times Blues," "Ground Hog Blues," "Hard Dallas Blues," "Hard to Rule Woman Blues," "I'm So Lonesome," "Jig Head Blues," "Little Old Mama Blues," "Lock and Key Blues," "My Heart's a Rolling Stone," "Needin' My Woman Blues", "New Way of Living Blues," "No Baby Blues," "No Good Woman Blues," "No Job Blues," "Poor Boy Blues," "Ramblin' Man," "Ramblin' Mind Blues," "Sawmill Moan," "Shake It Blues," "Shake It Gal," "So Lonesome," "Waking Blues," and "You'll Like My Loving".[9]
|
|
Wikis
Facts
Search
