Howard Armstrong (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Howard Armstrong
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Armstrong at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, 1998
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Howard Taft Armstrong |
| Also known as | Louie Bluie |
| Born | March 4, 1909 Dayton, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | July 30, 2003 (aged 94) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | Country blues |
| Instruments | Fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1920s–1990s |
| Associated acts | The Tennessee Chocolate Drops Martin, Bogan and Armstrong |
Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong (March 4, 1909 – July 30, 2003) was a very talented American musician. He was known for playing many instruments like the fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. He also sang. Besides music, he was a great artist and loved telling stories.
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Early Life and Talents
William Howard Taft Armstrong was born in Dayton, Tennessee. He grew up in LaFollette, Tennessee. He was one of nine children in a very musical family. His father was also a musician, but he worked in a steel mill to support the family.
When Howard was a teenager, he taught himself to play the fiddle. He joined a band with Blind Roland Martin and his brother Carl Martin. They traveled all over the United States. They played many different kinds of music, from work songs and spirituals to popular songs of the time. They even played songs in other languages!
For a few years, Armstrong went to Tennessee State Normal School. He studied painting and design there. At the same time, he played the cello in the school's symphony orchestra and the fiddle in a jazz band.
A Musical Journey
In 1930, Armstrong, his brother Roland, and Carl Martin recorded music together. They called their group the Tennessee Chocolate Drops. Later, they added guitarist Ted Bogan to the band. They toured as part of a "medicine show," which was a traveling show that often sold fake medicines. They also played with famous blues musicians like Big Bill Broonzy and Memphis Minnie.
As the group "Martin, Bogan and Armstrong," they performed at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago. In 1934, Armstrong and Bogan recorded songs like "State Street Rag." This is when Armstrong started using his stage name, Louie Bluie. A fan had given him that nickname.
Howard Armstrong could play many different types of music. His group often played popular songs of the time, including Italian, Polish, Mexican, and country songs. He would play whatever his audience wanted to hear.
After serving in World War II, Armstrong moved to Detroit. He worked in the car industry until 1971. Later, people became interested in old-time African-American music again. So, Martin, Bogan and Armstrong got back together. They recorded new music, played at clubs and festivals, and even toured South America. They played together until Carl Martin passed away in 1979.
Around this time, a filmmaker named Terry Zwigoff became interested in Armstrong's music. Zwigoff made a one-hour movie about Armstrong called Louie Bluie, which came out in 1985. Armstrong was also the subject of another movie in 2002 called Sweet Old Song.
In 1990, Armstrong received a special award called the National Heritage Fellowship. This is the highest honor the United States government gives for folk and traditional arts.
Later Years and Legacy
Howard Armstrong kept performing with younger musicians. In 1995, he released his first solo album, also called Louie Bluie. He worked on it with Ralphe Armstrong and Ray Kamalay. This album was nominated for a W.C. Handy Blues Award.
Armstrong was also a very skilled painter. He designed album covers for his own group and sometimes for other artists. He even helped design the set for the 1985 movie The Color Purple. He also made unique necklaces from beads and other small items. He could speak several languages too! For example, he sang a part of the song "Chinatown, My Chinatown" in Mandarin Chinese.
Howard Armstrong passed away in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2003, at the age of 94. He had a heart attack.
Today, the Louie Bluie Festival is held every year at Cove Lake State Park. This park is near LaFollette, where Armstrong grew up. The festival celebrates his amazing music and his lasting legacy.
Discography
- Louie Bluie (Blue Suit Records, 1995)
- Louie Bluie (Arhoolie Records, 1985)
- Martin, Bogan, & The Armstrongs: That Old Gang Of Mine (Flying Fish, 1978)
- Martin, Bogan & Armstrong: Martin, Bogan & Armstrong (Flying Fish, 1974)
- Martin, Bogan & Armstrong: The Barnyard Dance (Rounder Records, 1973)
Filmography
- Louie Bluie (1985), directed by Terry Zwigoff
- Sweet Old Song (2002), directed by Leah Mahan
Awards and Honors
- 1990 – National Heritage Fellowship
- 1996 – W.C. Handy Blues Award nomination for Acoustic Album: Howard Armstrong, Ralphe Armstrong, & Ray Kamalay – Louie Bluie
- 2000 – W.C. Handy Blues Award nomination for Blues Instrumentalist - Other (Violin)
- 2003 – W.C. Handy Blues Award nomination for Blues Instrumentalist - Other (Mandolin)
- 2003 – Tennessee Governor's Award in the Arts
