Othar Turner facts for kids

Othar "Otha" Turner (born June 2, 1907 – died February 27, 2003) was a famous American musician. He was one of the last well-known players of the fife in a special kind of music. This music is called fife and drum blues. It's a very old tradition from the American South. His music was also part of Hill country blues, another unique style.

Otha's Early Life and Music Journey

Othar Turner, known as "Otha," was born in Canton, Madison County, Mississippi in 1907. He lived his whole life as a farmer in northern Mississippi. He lived near Como, Mississippi in Panola County. When he was 16, in 1923, Otha learned to play fifes. These fifes were made from rivercanes. Over time, he learned to play other instruments too.

The Rising Star Fife and Drum Band

In the late 1960s and 1970s, music experts started recording Otha and his friends. They wanted to save examples of local music traditions. Otha's band was called the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band. It was made up of his friends and family members. They mostly played music at farm parties.

In the early 1970s, the band was also known as "The Gravel Springs Fife & Drum Band." Famous members included Napoleon Strickland and Bernice Turner. Otha, along with bandmates Jessie Mae Hemphill and Abe Young, even performed on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. This was on November 18, 1982.

Gaining Wider Fame

The group's Hill country blues music became more widely known in the 1990s. Their music was included in Mississippi Blues in Memphis Vol. 1 in 1993. After that, they appeared in many other blues music collections.

They released a very popular album called Everybody Hollerin' Goat in 1998. This was followed by From Senegal to Senatobia in 1999. This album mixed their bluesy fife and drum music with musicians called the "Afrossippi Allstars."

The "Hollerin' Goat" Tradition

The album title, Everybody Hollerin' Goat, comes from a special tradition Otha started. In the late 1950s, he began hosting Labor Day picnics. Otha would prepare a goat himself and cook it in a large iron pot. His band would play music for everyone.

These picnics started as small family and neighborhood gatherings. But over the years, they grew much bigger. Music fans from Memphis, Tennessee and even from all over the world came to enjoy the music and food.

Music in Films and Legacy

The song "Shimmy She Wobble" from Everybody Hollerin' Goat was used in the 2002 movie Gangs of New York. Martin Scorsese, the director of the film, also featured Otha Turner. This was in his 2003 PBS TV series The Blues. In the series, Otha talked about how African rhythms connect to American blues music.

Otha Turner passed away in Gravel Springs, Mississippi, at the age of 95, on February 27, 2003. His daughter, Bernice Turner Pratcher, also passed away on the same day. A joint funeral was held on March 4, 2003. The Rising Star Fife and Drum Band led the procession to the cemetery. Otha's granddaughter, Shardé Thomas, who was 13 years old, played the fife at the front of the procession. She continued his musical legacy.

Awards and Special Recognition

Otha Turner received many important honors for his music.

National Heritage Fellowship

In 1992, Otha received a National Heritage Fellowship. This award is given by the National Endowment for the Arts. It is the highest honor the United States government gives for folk and traditional arts.

Blues Music Awards

He was nominated for two Blues Music Awards. These awards were formerly called the W.C. Handy Blues Awards. He was nominated in 2000 and 2003 in the "Blues Instrumentalist: Other" category.

Mississippi Blues Trail

In 2009, Otha Turner was honored with a special marker. This marker is part of the Mississippi Blues Trail in Como. It celebrates his contributions to blues music.

Cultural Influence

Otha Turner's music and life inspired others. Maurice Watkins played a fife-playing character named Othar in the 2004 Coen brothers' movie The Ladykillers.

Films Featuring Otha Turner

• Gravel Springs Fife and Drum (1971). This film was made by Bill Ferris.
• HOMEPLACE (1975). This film was made in 1972 by Michael Ford.