Sylvester Weaver (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sylvester Weaver
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Weaver with Sara Martin
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 25, 1897 Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
| Died | April 4, 1960 (aged 62) Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
| Genres | Blues, country blues |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist |
| Instruments | Slide guitar, guitjo |
| Associated acts | Sara Martin, Walter Beasley, Helen Humes |
Sylvester Weaver (born July 25, 1897 – died April 4, 1960) was an American blues guitar player. He was one of the first musicians to play country blues. This style of music mixes blues with country sounds.
Who Was Sylvester Weaver?
Sylvester Weaver made history with his music. He recorded two songs with blues singer Sara Martin. These were "Longing for Daddy Blues" and "I've Got to Go and Leave My Daddy Behind." This probably happened on October 24, 1923, in New York City.
Just two weeks later, he recorded two songs by himself. These were "Guitar Blues" and "Guitar Rag." These were the first blues guitar songs ever recorded without a singer. Both songs were released by Okeh Records. They were the first recorded country blues songs. They were also the first known recordings of a special way of playing guitar. This is called the bottleneck-style slide guitar.
"Guitar Rag" became a very famous blues song. He played it on a special instrument called a Guitjo. Later, a band called Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys recorded their own version. They called it "Steel Guitar Rag." This song then became a classic in country music.
Life in Louisville
Sylvester Weaver lived most of his life in Louisville, Kentucky. He lived in the Smoketown neighborhood. He worked different jobs to support his music career. He was a porter, a packer, a janitor, and a chauffeur.
During the Great Depression, times were tough. In 1938, he lived with his parents. By 1949, he and his wife, Dorothy, moved to a different neighborhood. They lived in a small apartment near Cherokee Park.
His Music and Legacy
Weaver recorded about 50 more songs. Sometimes, Sara Martin sang with him. In 1927, Walter Beasley and singer Helen Humes also joined him on some recordings. Weaver often played his guitar using a special "bottleneck" style. He would use a knife as a slide on the guitar strings.
His songs were popular. But in 1927, he stopped recording music. He went back to Louisville and lived there until he passed away. He died on April 4, 1960.
Years later, people became interested in old country blues music again. This started in the 1950s. But Sylvester Weaver had already passed away. He was almost forgotten.
In 1992, all of his recorded songs were put together on two CDs. Also in 1992, his grave received a headstone. This happened because the Kentuckiana Blues Society helped. This group is in Louisville. Since 1989, they give out the Sylvester Weaver Award every year. This award honors people who have done great things for blues music.
His Music Collections
- Complete Recorded Works Vol. 1 (1923–1927), 1992, Document Records
- Complete Recorded Works Vol. 2 (1927), 1992, Document Records
