Blind James Campbell facts for kids
Blind James Campbell (born September 17, 1906 – died January 22, 1981) was an American blues singer and guitarist. He is best known for the music he recorded in 1962 and 1963 with his Nashville Street Band. These recordings were released by Arhoolie Records.
About James Campbell
James Campbell was born in Nashville, Tennessee. This was on September 17, 1906. Later, he became known as Blind James Campbell. This happened after an accident at a fertilizer plant. The accident caused him to lose his eyesight permanently.
His Music and Band
In 1936, James Campbell started his own band. They played many types of music. This included folk, country, pop, jazz, and blues. They performed at parties, dances, and other local events.
The Nashville Street Band had several talented members:
- Beauford Clay (born 1900) played the fiddle. He greatly influenced Campbell's guitar playing.
- Bell Ray (born 1909) was the second guitarist.
- Ralph Robinson (born 1885) played the bass horn.
- George Bell played the trumpet.
The band was happy with their steady work. They did not seem to want to record their music.
Getting Discovered
A man named Chris Strachwitz worked for Arhoolie Records. He became interested in the band. He heard recordings made by another blues fan, Donald Hill. Hill had recorded Campbell in 1959 and 1961. These recordings included country songs and blues. He also recorded Campbell and his band playing on a street corner in Nashville.
After hearing these tapes, Strachwitz went to Nashville. He wanted to find and record Campbell and his band. They had two recording sessions. These took place in 1962 and 1963. After this, the album Blind James Campbell And His Nashville Street Band was released in 1963.
These recordings did not make Campbell famous. But they showed how skilled the band was. They could play many different kinds of American music. Chris Strachwitz later released these recordings on CD in 1995. He added more songs from the original sessions.
James Campbell passed away in Nashville, Tennessee. This was on January 22, 1981.
