Buster Pickens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Buster Pickens
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| Birth name | Edwin Goodwin Pickens |
| Born | June 3, 1916 Hempstead, Texas, United States |
| Died | November 24, 1964 (aged 48) Houston, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Blues, piano blues |
| Occupation(s) | Pianist |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | Mid 1930s–1964 |
| Associated acts | Alger "Texas" Alexander, Lightnin' Hopkins |
Buster Pickens (born Edwin Goodwin Pickens, June 3, 1916 – November 24, 1964) was a talented American blues pianist. He was famous for playing piano with other well-known blues musicians like Alger "Texas" Alexander and Lightnin' Hopkins. Buster Pickens also made his own solo album in 1960.
Contents
Early Life and Music
Buster Pickens was born Edwin Goodwin Pickens in Hempstead, Texas. His parents were Elias "Eli" Pickens and Bessie Gage.
In the 1930s, Pickens was part of a group of musicians called the "Santa Fe Circuit." They got this name because they often traveled by Santa Fe freight trains. Pickens described how people would dance the "slow drag" to "slow low-down dirty blues" music in places called barrelhouse joints.
Music Career and Recordings
After serving in the United States Army during World War II, Buster Pickens moved to Houston, Texas. He made his first recording on January 13, 1948. He played piano for Perry Cain on his songs "All the Way from Texas" and "Cry Cry." These songs were released by Gold Star Records.
For the next year and a half, Pickens continued to record music. He played piano for other artists like Bill Hayes and Goree Carter.
Later, Pickens played with Alger "Texas" Alexander during Alexander's last recording session in 1950. Pickens also often performed with Lightnin' Hopkins. He played on several of Hopkins's albums in the early 1960s. These albums include Walkin' This Road by Myself (1962), Lightnin' and Co. (1962), and Smokes Like Lightning (1963).
In 1960, Buster Pickens released his very own solo album, simply called Buster Pickens. He also appeared in a film about blues music called The Blues in 1962.
Buster Pickens passed away in November 1964 in Houston, Texas.
Buster Pickens' Albums
- Buster Pickens (1960), released by Heritage Records. This album was recorded in Houston.
- With Lightnin' Hopkins
- Walkin' This Road by Myself (1962)
- Lightnin' and Co. (1962)
- Smokes Like Lightning (1963)
A Quote from Buster
I rode freight trains practically all over the country. Just wherever it was booming, I'd hear about it.
See also
- List of blues musicians
- List of Texas blues musicians
