Rufus Payne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rufus Payne
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Rufus Payne was buried in Lincoln Cemetery located in Montgomery, Alabama. This is the marker placed near his final resting place.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Rufus Payne |
| Also known as | Tee Tot |
| Born | February 4, 1883 Greenville, Alabama, US |
| Origin | Montgomery, Alabama, US |
| Died | March 17, 1939 (aged 56) Montgomery, Alabama, US |
| Genres | Blues, gospel, country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Associated acts | Hank Williams |
Rufus "Tee Tot" Payne (born February 4, 1883 – died March 17, 1939) was an African-American blues musician. He lived in the early 1900s and was from Greenville, Alabama. Most people knew him by his nickname, Tee Tot.
Contents
Early Life of Rufus Payne
Rufus Payne was born in 1883. His birthplace was the Payne Plantation in Sandy Ridge. This area is in Lowndes County, Alabama.
Music Career and Influence
Tee Tot was a talented musician. Some people say he played the blues by himself. Others remember him leading a small band. This band played popular songs and fun, upbeat tunes. He was also a street musician, playing music for people on the streets.
Mentoring Hank Williams
Tee Tot is most famous for being a teacher to the legendary musician Hank Williams. Rufus Payne met Hank Williams when Hank was only eight years old. It is said that Tee Tot would visit Hank and play his guitar. He showed Hank how to create new chords and melodies on the spot.
Tee Tot taught Hank Williams about blues music. He also shared other African American musical styles. This knowledge helped Hank Williams mix different sounds. He combined hillbilly music, folk music, and blues. This created his own special style of music. His unique sound helped introduce these different types of music to many audiences.
Death
Rufus Payne passed away on March 17, 1939. He was 56 years old. He died at a hospital in Montgomery, Alabama.
He is buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Montgomery. The exact spot of his grave is not known. A special memorial stands near the cemetery entrance. This memorial was paid for by Hank Williams Jr. and other members of the Grand Ole Opry.
Tributes to Tee Tot
Songs and Movies
Hank Williams, Jr. honored Tee Tot's influence on his father. He wrote a song called "The Tee Tot Song." This song is on his album Almeria Club.
Rufus Payne was also shown in a movie. Actor Rex Ingram played him. This was in the 1964 Hank Williams movie Your Cheatin' Heart.
