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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.

Subcategories

This category has the following 2 subcategories, out of 2 total.

• Blues guitarists by nationality (14 C)

B

• Blues bass guitarists (13 P)

Pages in category "Blues guitarists"

The following 15 pages are in this category, out of 15 total. This list may not reflect recent changes.

A

• Pepe Ahlqvist
• Najm Allal
• Mateus Asato

B

• Bombino (musician)

C

• Yavuz Çetin

F

• Henrik Freischlader

L

• Gienek Loska
• Erja Lyytinen

M

• Nuno Mindelis
• Xavier Moyano

N

• Fernando Noronha

O

• Erkan Oğur

S

• Heikki Silvennoinen

T

• Peter Thorup
• Tiny Legs Tim

• Guitarists by genre
• Blues musicians by instrument