Shorty Medlocke

Shorty Medlocke (born Paul Robert Medlock, 20 July 1912 – 6 August 1982)[1] was an American blues, country and bluegrass musician and banjo player. He is the grandfather of Rickey Medlocke of the Southern rock bands Blackfoot and Lynyrd Skynyrd.[2] Despite his stage name "Medlocke" his real surname officially is spelled without an "e" on the end.[1]

Starting in 1969, Shorty made contributions to Blackfoot's music. He wrote the Top 40 hit "Train Train" (released on the album Strikes), and played harmonica on the track.[2] For the follow-up album Tomcattin', Shorty co-wrote the song "Fox Chase" and gave the song a short introduction.[3] For Marauder, Shorty co-wrote "Rattlesnake Rock 'n' Roller" and played banjo on the track.[4] Shorty had also appeared on Blackfoot's 1975 debut album, No Reservations, singing a version of "Railroad Man" (which he also wrote). Shorty Medlocke was also the inspiration/actual subject of the song "Ballad of Curtis Loew" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.