Ollie Shepard (blues pianist) facts for kids
Ollie Shepard (born Oliver Shepard in July 1909 in Oberlin, Louisiana, USA – died 1960) was an American musician. He was a talented blues pianist, singer, and songwriter. Blues music is a style of music that often expresses feelings like sadness or happiness. Ollie Shepard was known for his unique style of playing the piano and singing.
Ollie Shepard's Music Career
Ollie Shepard performed in many places during his career. From about 1954 to 1963, he played music at Jerry's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge in Oneonta, New York. This restaurant was a popular spot where people could enjoy his music. The building where he performed was later taken down in 1970 to make space for a parking lot.
A poet and professor named Richard George Frost once played drums with Ollie Shepard. He described Ollie as a very strong-willed musician. Richard Frost said that Ollie played a fast, energetic blues style. He also mentioned that Ollie had been a pianist for Decca Records, which was a big record company.
Ollie Shepard's Recorded Songs
Ollie Shepard recorded many songs with different musicians. Here are some of his important recordings:
- Ollie Shepard and His Kentucky Boys
- This group included Ollie Shepard as the singer, Chu Berry on tenor saxophone, and Sammy Price on piano.
- They recorded songs like "Honey Bee" and "Sweetheart Land" in 1937.
- Other songs they recorded include "No One To Call You Dear," "She Walks Like A Kangaroo," and "What's Your Guess?"
- Ollie Shepard with Other Musicians
- In 1941, Ollie Shepard recorded with musicians like Ted McCord on clarinet and tenor saxophone. They made songs such as "Cool Kind Papa" and "Army Camp Blues."
- Later, in 1950, Ollie Shepard recorded with Hot Lips Page & His Orchestra. This group included Hot Lips Page on trumpet and Buddy Tate on tenor saxophone. They recorded "Baby Blues" and "Don't Come Knockin' Upon My Door."
- Complete Recorded Works
- Later, all of Ollie Shepard's recorded music was put together into two collections by Document Records. These collections let people listen to all the songs he recorded between 1937 and 1941.
Songs Written by Ollie Shepard
Ollie Shepard was also a songwriter. He wrote many of the songs he performed. Here are a few examples of his compositions:
- "It's A Low Down Dirty Shame" (1938)
- "Sweetheart Land" (1938)
- "I'm Going Back To Kokomo" (1943)
- "Good Old Tennessee" (1944)
- "Do You Wonder Why?" (1953)
- "Tee Nay" (1956)
- "Restless As The River" (1956) – he wrote this with Sammy Gallop.
- "Stepping Out" (1956)
- "Hot Dawg" (1957)
- "Now I Know" (1959)
- "If You Want Me To" (1960)
Ollie Shepard's music continues to be remembered as an important part of blues history.
