Papa Charlie McCoy

Papa Charlie McCoy
Portrait of "Papa" Charlie McCoy with his mandolin.
Background information
Birth name Charles McCoy
Also known as Papa Charlie McCoy, Tampa Kid
Born (1909-05-26)May 26, 1909
Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Died July 26, 1950(1950-07-26) (aged 41)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres Delta blues
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Guitar, mandolin
Associated acts The Mississippi Hot Footers, Bo Carter, Tommy Johnson, Ishman Bracey, the McCoy Brothers, Memphis Minnie

Charles "Papa Charlie" McCoy (May 26, 1909 – July 26, 1950)[1] was an African-American Delta blues musician and songwriter.

Career

McCoy was born in Jackson, Mississippi. He was best known by his nickname, Papa Charlie. As a guitarist and mandolin player, he was one of the major blues accompanists of his time.[2] He played in the Mississippi area with his band, the Mississippi Hot Footers. As a slide guitarist, he recorded under the name Tampa Kid, releasing "Keep on Trying". He and his older brother Kansas Joe McCoy performed together in the 1930s and 1940s and recorded as the McCoy Brothers.

McCoy and Bo Carter recorded several sides as the Mississippi Mud Steppers, including two variations of Cow Cow Davenport's "Cow Cow Blues": the first, an instrumental, was released as "The Jackson Stomp", and the second, with lyrics and vocals by McCoy, as "The Lonesome Train, That Took My Girl from Town". They also wrote and recorded "The Vicksburg Stomp" (a version of which was recorded by the mandolinists Mike Compton and David Long in 2006).

McCoy moved to Chicago, where he organized two bands, both with his brother Kansas Joe—Papa Charlie's Boys and the Harlem Hamfats—which performed and recorded in the late 1930s.[1]

McCoy's career was cut short by his service with the United States Army during World War II. In poor health after the war, he never returned to music. He died in Chicago in 1950 from paralytic brain disease,[3] only a few months after his brother died. Both are buried in the Restvale Cemetery, in Alsip, Illinois.

Several cover versions of McCoy's composition "Too Long" have been released.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Ankeny, Jason. "Charlie McCoy: Biography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
  2. 1 2 Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books. pp. 139–140. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
  3. ↑ Doc Rock. "The 50s and Earlier". TheDeadRockStarsClub.com. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
  • Bio of Charlie McCoy with photo
  • Allmusic biography
  • "Papa Charlie McCoy". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
  • Birthplaces of Mississippi Blues Artists (maps)
  • McCoy Brothers Tribute website
  • Works by or about Papa Charlie McCoy in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
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