Cool John Ferguson facts for kids

John W. Ferguson (born December 3, 1953 – died August 12, 2025), known as Cool John Ferguson, was an amazing American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He released five of his own music albums and played on about 20 others. He also helped new artists as the Director of Creative Development for the Music Maker Relief Foundation. What made him special was that he played his guitar "upside down"!

Famous musician Taj Mahal once said that Cool John Ferguson was "among the five greatest guitarists in the world." That's a huge compliment! He even compared him to legendary guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, and Django Reinhardt. Cool John also played guitar for many other well-known artists, including Taj Mahal, B. B. King, and the Stylistics.

The Life and Music of Cool John Ferguson

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Cool John Ferguson was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, on December 3, 1953. His family had strong ties to the Gullah culture. This unique culture comes from African Americans who live in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina and Georgia.

He started playing the guitar when he was just three years old! He was so small he had to sit on someone's lap to reach the guitar. Cool John was naturally left-handed. So, he learned to play a right-handed guitar by holding it upside down. This became his special way of playing.

By age five, he was already a professional gospel musician. He performed with his brothers and sisters as 'Little John and the Ferguson Sisters.' They even had a show on a radio station in Charleston, South Carolina. As he grew, he learned more about music. He listened to different radio stations and played the trumpet in his high school marching band.

In the 1970s, Cool John joined jazz and soul bands. He played music all over South Carolina. He also recorded music with different record labels.

Becoming "Cool John"

When he was younger, Cool John also worked in landscaping and construction. This helped him earn money while he built his music career. He moved to Durham, North Carolina, where people noticed his unique style. They would say he had a "cool walk" and a "cool talk." That's how he got his famous nickname, "Cool John."

Cool John began performing under his own name. He also played guitar for other musicians in the studio. He traveled a lot, playing at big music festivals around the world. These included the Byron Bay Bluesfest and events at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Even with all his travels, he always remembered his roots. He often played on Saturday nights at a local spot near Durham, North Carolina.

Helping Other Musicians and Releasing Albums

Cool John joined the Music Maker Relief Foundation. This group helps older and lesser-known blues, folk, and country artists. He became their Director of Creative Development in the 1990s. This meant he helped many musicians record their albums.

In the early 2000s, Cool John released several of his own albums. These included Guitar Heaven, Cool Yule, and Cool John Ferguson. In 2007, he moved to Atlanta and started his own music company called Cool John Recordings. His album With These Hands was the first one released on his new label.

Recognition and Legacy

Living Blues magazine recognized Cool John Ferguson as the 'Most Outstanding Guitarist' for two years in a row. This shows how talented he was!

He also appeared in a documentary film called Toot Blues in 2008. This film was about the start of the Music Maker Relief Foundation and its important work. Cool John often played music to help raise money for the Foundation.

In 2011, Cool John played a special electric guitar version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in his hometown. This was to honor Joe Frazier, a famous boxer who was also from Beaufort. Cool John also shared his music by playing in churches every Sunday.

Cool John Ferguson was known for his special look, often wearing a flat-brimmed hat. He continued to play his Fender Stratocaster guitar upside down throughout his life. Cool John Ferguson passed away on August 12, 2025, when he was 71 years old.

Cool John Ferguson's Albums

See also

• List of electric blues musicians