Earl Johnson (musician)
Earl Johnson (born August 24, 1886 in Gwinnett County , Georgia , as Robert Earl Johnson , † May 31, 1965 ) was an American old-time musician . Johnson is arguably one of the most famous and talented fiddlers Georgia produced in the 1920s.
Life
Childhood and youth
Earl Johnson was born in Gwinnett County, Georgia, in 1886. Johnson learned to play the fiddle from his father, William . In his childhood and youth he often made music with his two brothers Albert ( banjo ) and Esther ( guitar ). For Johnson, however, music was only a hobby. He continued to help his father on the farm, but also took a music course in Chicago , because Johnson wanted to be a music teacher in Atlanta. However, Johnson's brothers both died within six months in 1923, which was a hard loss for him.
Career
At the same time, Johnson had made contact with other local musicians, such as Fiddlin 'John Carson , one of the first rural musicians to be recorded on record. Johnson made his debut as a professional musician in 1925 for Paramount Records as a member of the Dixie String Band and as a background musician for his friend Arthur Tanner , with whom he often appeared on the WSB radio station. He also played on some recordings of Fiddlin 'John Carson as the second Fiddler and sometimes also as the second singer in his backing band, the Virginia Reelers .
In February 1927 Johnson began his career as a soloist. With his own band he recorded his first tracks for OKeh Records . In total, he was to record almost 50 pieces for Okeh over the next four years. During these sessions he was alternately accompanied by the Clodhoppers or the Dixie Entertainers. Both groups were known for their "wild" sound with fiddle, banjo and remarkable vocals. The Dixie Entertainers consisted of Johnson from Emmett Bankston (banjo) and Byrd Moore (guitar); the Clodhoppers also from Emmett Bankston and Lee "Red" Henderson (guitar). The first appearance Johnson was Is not Nobody's Business , a song later for his senseless lyrics ( "She runs a weenie stand, way down in no-man's land") was known and Tennessee Ernie Ford and Ella Mae Morse was covered . Johnson's repertoire and sound show clear parallels to those of Gid Tanner and his Skillet Lickers , also musicians from Georgia who recorded for Columbia Records and were one of the most successful string bands in their genre.
In 1929 Johnson moved to RCA Victor for a short time , but then returned to OKeh in 1930. In the meantime, his two background bands had left him, so he was joined by his wife Lulu Bell and guitarist Bill Henson for a session in December 1930 . With the Great Depression , Johnson's end as a musician came; he held his last session in October 1931. He then retired from the music business, but nevertheless continued to take part in Fiddler's contests .
Earl Johnson died of a heart attack in 1965 at the age of 78 . Document Records released two CDs of Johnson's collected works in 1997.
Discography
Singles
| year | title | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| OKeh Records | |||
| 1927 | Ain't Nobody's Business / Three Night's Experience | ||
| 1927 | John Henry Blues / I Don't Love Nobody | ||
| 1927 | Boil Dem Cabbage Down / Shortnin 'Bread | ||
| 1927 | Hen Cackle / Johnson's Old Gray Mule | ||
| 1927 | Dixie / I'm Satisfied | ||
| 1927 | Arkansaw Traveler / Twinkle Little Star | ||
| I've Got A Woman On Surwood Mountain / Johnnie Get Your Gun | |||
| I Get My Whiskey From The Wildwood / Old Gray Mare Kicking Out Of The Wilderness | |||
| Little Grave In Georgia / In The Shadow of the Pine | |||
| 1928 | Leather Breeches / Red Hot Breakdown | ||
| 1928 | They Don't Roost To High For Me / Mississippi Jubilee | ||
| 1928 | Wire Grass Drag / Nigger In The Woodpile | ||
| 1928 | Alabama Girl, Ain't You Comin 'Out Tonight / G Rag | ||
| 1928 | Nigger In The Cotton Patch / All Night Long | ||
| 1928 | Laughing Rufus / Poor Little Joe | ||
| RCA Victor | |||
| 1930 | Fiddlin 'Rufus / Mississippi Sawyer | ||
| 1930 | Rocky Palace / Green Mountain Polka | ||
| 1930 | He's A Beauty / I Lost My Gal | ||
| OKeh Records | |||
| 1930 | Bringing In The Sheaves / I Know That My Redeemer Liveth | ||
| 1930 | Buy a Half Pint and Stay In the Wagon Yard / Take Me Back To My Old Mountain Home | ||
| 1930 | When Roses Bloom Again For the Bootlegger / There's No Place Like Home | ||
| 1931 | Close Your Bright Eyes / Way Down In Georgia | ||
Albums
- 1997: Complete Recorded Works, Vol.1 (1927)
- 1997: Complete Recorded Works, Vol.2 (1927-1931)
Web links
- Entry in the All Music Guide
- Earl Johnson (musician) on Hillbilly-Music.com (English)
- biography
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Johnson, Earl |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Johnson, Robert Earl (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American old-time musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | August 24, 1886 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Gwinnett County , Georgia |
| DATE OF DEATH | May 31, 1965 |