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	To: WIKIPEDIA
	C/O: Editor

	Re: Suggested "NEW" Category of "The Greatest Unheralded Blues Guitarist/Singer-Musicians from Mississippi.


	Greetings,

	The following information is provided on the basis of Anonymity for the purpose and courtesy of giving credit to Musician/Entertainers from Mississippi, who were never given their 'Just due' in helping to build the Reputation and Popularity of the famous Mississippi 'Bluesters'.
	I am a fellow-Musician and native of the State with credentials, and have personally performed with and witnessed these personalities, to the extent of my tenure with them. And I do attest to the validity of foregoing by Time line Category; These men are still great blues musicians.

	UNHERALDED GREAT BLUES GUITARIST/MUSICIANS FROM MISSISSIPPI;

	1. NAME: John "A" McGee*
	Era: 1935's-1950's
	Date of Birth: ? 1920's; Place of Birth, Uncertain:Community Near Starkville, MS.(d)1980;s

	Played with the likes of "Sonny Boy Williams",'Howling Wolf' and others now listed in the
	archives of Blues History.
	John "A",as he was called, was an original'improvisationlist',in his Blues playing technique
	and style(with or without a harmonica or 'bottleneck'). He mentored children in the area,who
	also became "Unheralded" Blues Guitarist and Musicians in their own right.
	Namely; Gene'A.("Flip")McBride, Jacob ("Jake")Dawson*,and the Nicks'brothers, "Eugene",
	"Frankie",and "Bernard" Nicks, but especially to his sons;"Wade"and "Wayne"McGee**(who
	became an accomplished Blues Guitarist,Saxophonist in his own right and was hired
	as'Bassist'with the "Caminos"(b) when original bassist"Frankie Nicks"***,left for college.
	Realizing he had to make a living for his family, "John A." drove a gasoline tanker for'Lyon
	oil company', in Starkville until his death.There should be some homemade recording around
	his home there.


	UNHERALDED GREAT BLUES GUITARIST/MUSICIANS FROM MISSISSIPPI;

	2. NAME: Gene A.("Flip") McBride** (Singer/Guitarist)
	Era: Late 1950's -to present
	Date of Birth: 1943 ? Place: "New Light"; Community around Starkville, MS.

	Mr. McBride, a person of "immense" talent,as a young boy first heard the "Mississippi
	Blues'by listening to "WLAC"in Nashville TN, with "John R","Hoss" Allen" and others out
	of Memphis,TN.and New Orleans LA.,late at night(The only time we could pick those
	stations without static). During his early years, he studied the styles of those he heard
	on "Randy's Record Mart",like; Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, Bo Diddly,Lighting
	Slim, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed,Son House,Otis Rush(cousin),John Lee Hooker,Howling
	Wolf ,"Chuck"Berry and others. Then he went to Chicago,IL.in his teens and heard some of
	the Great Bluesmen,who fled from the Poverty, Oppression and Racism of the Mississippi
	Delta. He came back a 'Blues' man.
	He first group experience came when hooked up with his cousins( The 'Nicks Brothers'),in
	Starkville, MS. There were 6 (six) boys and they all played instruments.
	Gilbert(Piano/Vocals); Rufus Jr,(Tenor Sax/Piano), Alphonse(Trombone/vocals),
	William'Eugene'(Drums/Piano),'Frankie'(Bass/vocals)and 'Bernard'(Sax/Drums/Piano/vocals).
	At 15 years of age, he was an accomplished "Blues" guitarist,sought by Bluesmen everywhere.
	Eveybody who heard this kid play, wanted to take him on the road, but he only wanted
	to 'play'with his cousins.
	His first group experience is believed to have been; 1."Hog & The 5 Pigs"; 2."Tommy Norwood
	and the House Rockers"; and finally, 3. "The Caminos", a group comprised of him and his
	cousins, all of whom,"Dusted their Broom" and did their "Wang dang doodle" thang".
	Upon graduation from high school, he move with his family to Michigan, where he expanded his
	knowledge and skills, by studying with and won the respect of Bluesmen,..and the
	likes of Jazz Greats such as; Kenny Burrell; Grant Green; George Benson and others.
	His favorite Blues Icons were; "Son House", Muddy Waters, Elmo James,B.B.King, Freddie,
	Albert King, Chuck Berry,and Bobbie Bland with Joe Scott.

	Credits: Lead guitarist/Vocalist for;

	* "HOG & THE 5 PIGS "; Starkville, MS. late 1958-60's;
	Murdrow Harris{piano);Gene McBride(Guitar);"Mickey"James(Alto/ Tenor Sax),"Fritz" James
	("T-bone"),William Nicks(Drums),Frankie Nicks(Bass)and Bernard Nicks(vocals/drums);and
	Melvin Jones(T-bone),

	* "Tommy Norwood and The House Rockers"(cir. 1959-60); (Occasional-Guitarist)
	Tommy Norwood(Tenor Sax),Jerry Baker(Tenor Sax);Freddie Norwood and "Baldy"
	on (Piano);'Pete'Norwood(Trumpet);Steve Norwood(Bass);"Gene" Nicks(Drums);

	* The "Caminos"; 1961-64(Lead Guitar/Vocals)
	Gene A.("Flip")McBride(Guitar/vocals/Harmonica);Helen McBride(Vocals),Frankie Nicks(Bass)
	"A.J." & R.Deloach(Mgr.)and John Nash(Vocals),Gene A."Yogi-Bear" Moore(Drums;)"Gene"Nicks
	(Piano/Drums);"Bernard"Nicks(Sax/Vocals/bass/drums);"Wayne" Mcgee(Bass/Guitar);Roosevelt
	Burnside,and George Roberts(trumpets)

	(note after McBride,left and went to Chicago and Michigan, we lost contact due to
	pursuit of education,careers or military service. McBride has, from his early
	years studied the styles of Robert Johnson, 'Sonny Boy' Williamson, 'Bo Diddly','Lighting
	Slim', 'Muddy' Waters, 'Jimmy' Reed, 'Son House','Otis Rush'(cousin),John Lee Hooker,
	'Howling Wolf','Chuck'Berry; And have studied with such greats as 'Kenny Burrell','George
	Benson', 'Grant Green' and others. He has been sought by many Blues and Jazz "Greats"from
	around the Country,..but was not prone to going on the road due to his being a private
	person and realizing from an early age the "Price of Playing the Blues" on the road is
	heavy,..and many don't live to tell about it.
	In order to substantiate, verify and make the necessary corrections or addendums, the
	last place he was seen was in Flint, Michigan and Atlanta GA. Perhaps your research team
	might be able to locate him there.
	Good luck on finding this wealth of 'Talent & knowledge'...nbn)


	UNHERALDED GREAT BLUES GUITARIST/MUSICIANS FROM MISSISSIPPI;

	3. Jacob ("Jake")Dawson***, (Lead Guitarist/Singer; "THE MOONLIGHTERS" )
	Era: Late 1960's -to present
	Date of Birth: 1943-44 ? Place: "Coot Urns Bottom";Community around Starkville, MS.

	Jacob Dawson, affectionately known as "Jake", was a protege of Gene A."Flip"McBride.
	While McBride was playing with the "Caminos", Jake was an aspiring guitarist with another
	local group in Starkville, MS. called "The Moonlighters"; Consisting of John Davis
	(vocals/Mgr.); Felix Dawson(Bass); "Jake"Dawson (Guitar)and "Sammy" Lee(Drums).
	"Jake" admired "McBride" Style of playing the Blues and asked him to give him some lessons.
	He did,..they became great friends over the years. "Jake" went on to become one of the top
	lead Guitars(along with drummer Sammy Lee and his brother Felix on Bass ),for great
	Bluesmen like; Bobbie Bland; 'B.B.King; Albert King',Lil'Milton; "Johnny Taylor",
	Junior Parker and others. To this day "Jake" is considered to be one of the finest Blues
	Guitarist in the Country.

	(**"Jake"was last seen in 2004, performing in clubs around his home town of Starkville,MS.)


	UNHERALDED GREAT BLUES GUITARIST/MUSICIANS FROM MISSISSIPPI;

	4. Frankie ("Sam") Nicks****: (Bassist/Lead Vocals) "THE MAJESTICS"
	Era: Late 1958'- to present
	Date of Birth: 11/02/44; Place: Starkville MS.

	When Mr. Frankie"Sam" Nicks, began to play Upright (Double Bass), it was unusual in that
	part of the country. It was an instrument used mostly by Opera or Country Western
	Musicians, but rarely for the Blues. The Mississippi Blues was traditionally played by one
	Guitarist(playing the Base line on the heavy strings and the melody line on the thin ones,
	or by two (2) Guitars, with one playing lead(melody) and the other accompanying on Bass.
	"Frankie", began his career as a Bassist, under the tutor-ledge of professor Tommy
	Norwood,the first full time Band Director at Oktibbeha County Training School in 1958.
	His first appearance as a performing bassist was with a group called. The Hog & the 5 Pigs.
	Which was really just an introduction into his career. However his first full time tenure
	with a performing group was with a Band called "The Velvets, a local band playing
	everything from; "Cool Blues to Juke joint Blues.

	The "CAMINOS"; 1961-64(Bassist/Vocals)
	This is the band where "Sam's Blues Skills really began to develop, thanks to a strong
	Bluezy licks from the Guitar of his Cousin "Gene A.("Flip) McBride,..and the soulful Blue
	Vocals of Helen McBride,"Gene's Sister.
	The CAMINOS made their first recording in 1962,which was popular locally but they didn't
	have anyone with'knowhow'of marketing.
	Upon Graduation from Henderson High School in 1963,he matriculated to Tennessee State
	University. However, financial struggles and hard times,forced him and his brothers to
	work over time on construction jobs on weekday afternoons while playing Bass Guitar in
	night clubs on weekends.
	"Sam'as he was later called ,replaced his younger brother,Bernard "Hosae" Nicks,as the
	MAJESTICS Bassist when the latter was drafted into the Vietnam War in 1966.
	The Band was comprised of 'Paul Smith'(Drums),Blues Guitarist 'Bobby Martin','Frankie'
	Nicks(Bass);Trumpets;'Butch' Jordan, Kenneth Gunn, Saxophonist;'Harvey"Johnson William
	Harper. He was Bassist for many Blues Artist;Jimmy Hendrix, Billie Cox,GateMouth Brown,
	Johnny Taylor,and as House band at"Club Stealway" on Jefferson Street.
	The Vietnam War also interupted his career ,but he continued playing with blues bands while
	in the Air Force stationed at Eggland Air Force Base, Florida and in the Phillipines and in
	FairBanks Alaska. He now resides in Moreno Valley, California.

	Credits: Bassist / Vocalist for;

	* "Hog & the 5 pigs"; Starkville, MS. late 1959-60's;
	Murdrow Harris{piano);Gene McBride(Guitar);"Mickey"James(ALto/ Tenor Sax),"Fritz" James
	("T-bone"),William Nicks(Drums),Frankie Nicks(Bass)and Bernard Nicks(vocals/drums);and
	Melvin Jones(T-bone),

	* "The Velvets"; Starkville, MS. late 59'-to 62: which included Vocalist;
	R.Deloach(Mgr.);"Jesse" Hamilton; "Morris"Evans; "Aubrey" Bell(Stand with Gladys Knight
	& The Pips );"Frank"Howard;"Cal" William(Piano);"Mickey"James(Alto-Sax); "Gene" A.Moore
	(Drums);and "Roy" Johnson(vocals/Trom-Bone);


	* "Tommy Norwood and The House Rockers"(cir. 1959-60); (Sub-Bassist)
	Tommy Norwood(Tenor Sax),Jerry Baker(Tenor Sax);Freddie Norwood and "Baldi"
	on (Piano);'Pete'Norwood(Trumpet);Steve Norwood(Bass);"Gene" Nicks(Drums);

	* The "Caminoes"; 1961-64(Bassist/Vocals)
	Gene A.("Flip")McBride(Guitar/vocals/Harmonica);Helen McBride(Vocals),Frankie Nicks(Bass)
	"A.J." & R.Deloach(Mgr.)and John Nash(Vocals),Gene A."Yogi-Bear" Moore(Drums;)"Gene"Nicks
	(Piano/Drums);Bernard("Hosae")Nicks(Sax/Vocals/bass/drums);"Wayne" Mcgee (Bass/Guitar),
	Roosevelt Burnside,and George Roberts(trumpets)

	* THE MAJESTICS: Nashville, TN.(Bassist/Vocals;1966-1967)

	This Band was comprised of 'Paul Smith'(Drums),Blues Guitarist'Bobby Martin';Bernard "Hosae"
	Nicks(Bass);Trumpets;'Butch' Jordan, Kenneth Gunn, Saxophonist; William Harper;
	He was Bassist for many Blues and R & B Artist as House band at"Club Stealway"on Jefferson
	Street in Nashville, TN.


	UNHERALDED GREAT BLUES GUITARIST/MUSICIANS FROM MISSISSIPPI;

	5. Nathaniel Bernard "Hosae" Nicks*****:( Lead Guitar/vocals) "MADE IN JAPAN" '74
	Era: Late 1958'- to 1974
	Date of Birth: 11/03/46; Place: Starkville MS.

	This 'lil'Nicks( affectionately so-called), was the last of the male musicians-
	and the 7th Child, in the Family of 8 ), was "DYNOMITE" from the start! He came out under
	the tutorledge of his five (5) older brothers at the ripe ole age of nine(9),giving his
	first stage performance as one of the lead Singers (and Drummers)of "Hog & the 5 Pigs",
	singing 'Big Joe Turner's "Teenage Letter","Everyday I have the Blues" and the Sherrills
	Tonight Your Mine", James Brown's "Think",in the High School Auditorium of
	West Point, MS. The Auditoriom was jammed pack,the people couldn't believe what they saw,
	a little kid with so much talent(This was before "Steve Wonder"and "Michael Jackson).
	However, his parents stopped him from performing (and rightfully so),because of
	school work.
	In 1962 he appears on 'Saxophone'and Vocals with his brother William "Eugene"
	(Drums/Piano),"Frankie"(Bass),his cousin Gene A.("Flip") McBride(Lead Guitar),with John
	Nash/R.Deloach(Mgr.)and /Helen McBride,as vocals, in a group(which he named),the"CAMINOES"
	(after Billy Ward and the Dominoes and Fats Domino). They made their first recording in
	1962,which was popular locally but they didn't have anyone with'knowhow'of marketing.
	This Band recorded 'Gospel' Music at "Sam" Phillips "Sun" Records Studios in Memphis, in
	the early 1960's with a"Prophet" Anderson and others. They also were the first to perform
	at certain Faternal and Sororety Clubs on the Campus of Mississippi State, University of
	Alamama, Ole Miss and many others prior to Intergration of the South, under management of
	Nick Thornton, of Jackson MS.
	Upon Graduation from Henderson High School in 1964,He followed his brothers to Tennessee
	State University. Struggeling in shcool and Falling on hard times, forced him and his
	brothers to work construction jobs in the weekday afternoons and play Bass Guitar in night
	clubs on weekends.
	"Hosae' (as he was later called) ,was one of the founding members of a group called 'THE
	MAJESTICS',comprised of "Paul Smith"(Drums),Blues Guitarist "Bobby Martin", "Hosae" Nicks
	(Bass),Trumpets;'Butch' Jordan, Kenneth Gunn,and Arland Mitchell(-killed on tour with Jackie
	Wilson 1968), Saxophonist,Joe Locke, Arron Horn and Arron Neal. He played as a Bassist for
	many Blues Artist and House band at"Club Stealway" on Jefferson St. The Band was one of the
	first to appear on "Noble Blackwell's" original "NIGHT TRAIN" in 1965, and later one of
	the 'Few' African American Blues Bands to perform in Printers Alley 1966.
	They recorded one local hit called "Jig" in Nashville,with Larry "Red" Lee("Al" Green's
	guitarist),(cir.1965)
	The Vietnam War interupted his career (but ended the lives of many others ). After the
	being discharged from the ARMY in 1968, he regrouped as lead Guitarist/vocals in California
	(1970), with his brother's group called;'MADE IN JAPAN".
	From there they landed a recording contract with Capitol Records, where he wrote and
	recorded "Born in Mississippi".But due to Capitol's overspending on the "Beatles Reunion",
	they would not release their side,so he and his brother formed a new company (Goldstar
	Productions)with James Gaston (Watts 103rd St band),M.Dunlap, Al"steelchest" McKay( Earth,
	Wind & Fire )who Co-operated on creating a 45 to be released by "Betty (Mr. Big Stuff)
	Wright". The side was #1 on the test market charts in Philly,PA and Chicago,IL. But when
	financial regotiations flounded , the side was offered as a sound track for the movie
	"Sweetback"(Written by; Melvin Van Peebles). When that didn't go through, producers wanted
	to release it as a"Beer commercial",after many hours of rehearsing and recording at "Ike
	and Tina's" Bolic studios on Labrea, the offering was made to another group. Disappointed
	by corruption in the record business and with a change of Groups, "Hosae" Nicks, gave his
	last performed as a Blues Singer/Guitarist, in Long Beach California 1974, with a group
	called"Sport N' Sky",aboard the"Queen Mary" cruise ship. He sold his instruments and gave
	away everything he had,...because he was given a higher calling from the LORD Jesus Christ.
	He accepted it,.......and hasn't looked back.

	Credits: Lead Vocalist / Drums for;

	* "Hog & the 5 pigs"; Starkville, MS. late 1958-60's;
	Murdrow Harris{piano);Gene McBride(Guitar);"Mickey"James(ALto/ Tenor Sax),"Fritz" James
	("T-bone"),William Nicks(Drums),Frankie Nicks(Bass)and Bernard Nicks(vocals/drums);and
	Melvin Jones(T-bone),

	* The "Caminoes"; 1961-64(Lead Saxophonist, Bassist/Vocals)
	Gene A.("Flip")McBride(Guitar/vocals/Harmonica);Helen McBride(Vocals),Frankie Nicks(Bass)
	"A.J." & R.Deloach(Mgr.)and John Nash(Vocals),Gene A."Yogi-Bear" Moore(Drums;)"Gene"Nicks
	(Piano/Drums);"Bernard"Nicks(Sax/Vocals/bass/drums);"Wayne" Mcgee(Bass/Guitar);Roosevelt
	Burnside,and George Roberts(trumpets)


	* "THE MAJESTICS": 1964-1966 (Bassist)
	"Hosae" (as he was later called),was one of the founding members of a group called 'THE
	MAJESTICS'. This Band was comprised of "Paul Smith"(Drums),Blues Guitarist "Bobby
	Martin",Bernard "Hosae" Nicks (Bass),Trumpets;'Butch' Jordan, Kenneth Gunn,and Arland
	Mitchell(Atlanta GA.-killed on tour with Jackie Wilson 1968),Saxophonist,Joe Locke, Arron
	Horn,later Arron Neal and Vocalist;"Tyrone" Smith (and later"Obrey Wilson").He played as a
	Bassist for many Blues Artist and House band at"Club Stealway" on Jefferson St, in
	Nashville, TN. The Band recorded one local hit called "Jig" in Nashville,with Larry "Red"
	Lee("Al"Green's guitarist),(cir.1965) The Vietnam War interrupted this venture.

	* MADE IN JAPAN: 1970-1974: ( Lead Guitar/vocals)
	The Original Band was comprised of; Robert Dawson(Lead Guitar/Vocals); "Lattice"(?)
	(Saxophonist/Drums);and "Armahd"(?)(Trumpet), Ron Johnson (Bass),Gene Nicks(Drums).
	The Latter Band consisted of;Anita Sherman and "Li'Jesse Lee(vocals),Bernard "Hosae"Nicks
	(Lead Guitar/vocals);"Q"(?)(Rhythm Guitar),"Sam" Grissiom(Drums); "Jimmy" Grissiom
	(Trumpet/Vocals); Larry"Train" Williams (Saxophone).


	Contents submitted and(C)by Nathaniel.B.Nicks, submitted with permission of the Author
	P.O.Box 18947
	Pensacola, FL, 32523

	*****Caminos" of Starkville, MS,was one of the hottest groups in Mississippi during the
	60's,performing with "Howling Wolf" and many Blues Greats,including the "Red Tops of
	Vicksburg,MS.


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