Browsing: Bukka White

Eric Bibb grew up in music. His dad was a major player in the New York folk scene of the ‘60s. His godfather was Paul Robeson, famous singer and activist. The likes of Pete Seeger and Odetta hung out at his house…

In honor of the BB King Entertainer of the Year award, which last night went to the great Bobby Rush, we’ve compiled a list of interesting ‘hidden gem’ facts about the life and legacy of B.B. King!!

In the early ‘20s a Vaudeville guitar player named George Beauchamp paid a visit to a stringed instrument shop. His complaint: no matter how loud he played, his guitar just couldn’t compete with the rest of the instruments in the orchestra.

So, the owner of that shop, John Dopyera, developed the idea of fitting a guitar body with aluminum cones. Discs of fine-spun aluminum that vibrate to amplify sound. Make the body out of metal, and you’ve got a National guitar.

To be cold in hand is an expression from the 1930s that’s been popular in blues, including by Bessie Smith, Bukka White, Big Bill Broonzy and more! Find out what it means!