Artist:Johnny Shines
Song:I Had A Good Home
Album:Hey Ba-Ba-Re-Bop!
Slide guitarist Johnny Shines was best known for his association with Robert Johnson but you don't want to overlook his substantial musical talent. He was born Apr. 26, 1915 in Frayser, TN and grew up in Memphis. His mom taught him guitar. He had been playing music on the side while working as a sharecropper when he met Robert Johnson in 1934 and the two went out on the road together. They traveled together for three years before splitting up in 1937 and of course Johnson died in 1938. Shines continued to play but had to take day jobs like construction work. He finally recorded for Columbia in 1946 but the recordings were never released. He recorded for Chess and JOB Records but usually worked clubs and sessions while still working in construction. Shines quit the music business in 1958 over a financial dispute with the musicians union and stayed in construction. But he started taking photos at blues shows and made money that way. Finally he was convinced to record for Vanguard's Chicago/The/Blues/Today! series in 1966 and he started recording and touring again with old pals like Big Walter Horton. When his daughter died suddenly, Shines moved his family from Chicago to Tuscaloosa, AL and took care of his grandchildren. Of course he didn't tour as much but he continued to record including this 1978 CD for Rounder Records. Shines suffered a stroke in 1980 that affected his guitar playing but he continued to record and tour through the 80s until his death on Apr. 15, 1992 at age 77. He also appeared in the documentary Searching For Robert Johnson as fans seemed fascinated with his association with Johnson. But Johnny Shines was a fine guitaist in his own right. Here's Johnny Shines performing Ramblin'.
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