Eddie Cusic facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eddie Cusic
|
|
|---|---|
Cusic performing in 2014
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born | January 4, 1926 Leland, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | August 11, 2015 (aged 89) |
| Genres | Mississippi blues, electric blues |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1950s–2015 |
| Labels | HighTone Records |
Eddie Cusic (born January 4, 1926 – died August 11, 2015) was an American musician. He was known for playing Mississippi blues music. This type of blues comes from the Mississippi Delta region. Eddie Cusic played the guitar and sang his own songs. Sometimes, his recordings were mistakenly called "Eddie Quesie" or "Eddie Cusie." He also played music with other famous blues artists like Little Milton and James "Son" Thomas.
Contents
Eddie Cusic's Early Life and Music Journey
Eddie Cusic was born in Wilmot, Mississippi, in 1926. This area is south of Leland, Mississippi. He grew up on a farm. When he was young, he heard adults playing blues music at family parties. This inspired him to become a musician.
Learning to Play Music
Eddie started playing a simple instrument called a diddley bow. This is a single string stretched on a board. Later, he learned to play an acoustic guitar. In the early 1950s, he started a band called the Rhythm Aces. It was a three-person band that played music all over the Mississippi Delta. A famous musician named Little Milton was in this band. Eddie Cusic actually taught Little Milton how to play the guitar!
Working and Playing Music
In 1952, Eddie Cusic joined the United States Army. After his time in the Army, he moved to Leland, Mississippi. He got a job working with tractors and later became a mechanic. He worked there until he retired.
Even with his job, Eddie kept playing music. In the 1970s, he often performed with his friend James "Son" Thomas. They even recorded a song together called "Once I Had a Car." This song was on an album called Mississippi Delta & South Tennessee Blues in 1977.
Returning to the Stage
Eddie Cusic retired from his full-time job in 1989. His good friend, James "Son" Thomas, encouraged him to play music again. So, Eddie started performing with his acoustic guitar. He played at many big music events. These included the Mississippi Delta Blues and Heritage Festival, the Sunflower River Blues Festival, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and the Chicago Blues Festival.
Eddie Cusic's Albums
In 1998, Eddie Cusic recorded an album right at his house in Leland. This kind of recording is sometimes called a "field recording." He played many classic blues songs in his own style. These songs included "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl", "Big Boss Man", "(I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man", and "Catfish Blues".
His first album was called I Want to Boogie. Music critics said it was a great first album. It was released by HighTone Records. Later, in 2012, a new version of the album came out. It had some different songs and was called Leland Mississippi Blues.
Music Sampled by Others
A music group called C2C used parts of Eddie Cusic's song "You Don't Have to Go" in their own music. They used his vocals for their 2012 song, "Down the Road". This is called sampling.
Eddie Cusic's Legacy
Eddie Cusic passed away on August 11, 2015, when he was 89 years old. He left behind a legacy of pure Mississippi blues music.
Discography
| Year | Title | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | I Want to Boogie | HighTone |
| 2012 | Leland Mississippi Blues | HighTone |
See also
In Spanish: Eddie Cusic para niños
- List of electric blues musicians
Images for kids
-
Eddie Cusic performing in 2014
