Cat Iron facts for kids

William Carridine, known by the nickname Cat-Iron, was an American blues singer and guitarist. He was born on September 8, 1898, in Roxie, Mississippi, United States. He passed away on November 11, 1958, in Natchez, Mississippi. His unique nickname, "Cat-Iron," actually came from a misunderstanding of his last name by the person who first recorded his music.

Discovering Cat-Iron's Music

During the 1950s, there was a growing interest in traditional American music, especially folk and blues. This period is often called the "folk and blues revival." It was during this time, in 1957, that Cat-Iron was "discovered" by a music researcher named Frederic Ramsey Jr.. Ramsey recorded Cat-Iron's songs, capturing his unique blues style for future generations.

Releasing His Recordings

The recordings made by Frederic Ramsey Jr. were released to the public in 1958. They came out in the United States on the Folkways record label. Later, in 1969, his music was also released in the United Kingdom on the XTRA label. These recordings helped share Cat-Iron's talent with a wider audience.

His Famous Song: "Jimmy Bell"

One of Cat-Iron's most well-known songs is "Jimmy Bell." This song has become quite popular and has been covered by many other musicians over the years. Some of the artists who have performed their own versions of "Jimmy Bell" include Koerner, Ray & Glover, Stoney & Meatloaf, and Watermelon Slim. This shows how his music continued to inspire others long after his time.

Discography

• Cat-Iron Sings Blues And Hymns (Folkways, 1958)