Artist:Sticks McGhee
Song:Drinkin' Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee
Album:1947-1951
Though not as well known as his legendary brother Brownie McGhee, Granville "Sticks" McGhee will forever be known for writing the R&B classic Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee. And his 1949 Atlantic recording charted. He was born Mar. 23, 1918 in Knoxville, TN. His brother Brownie contracted polio. The Stick nickname was because he pushed Brownie's wagon with a stick. In reference I have seen him referenced as Stick and Sticks. I am calling him Sticks as that's what it says on the CD. McGhee learned to play guitar at age 13. McGhee dropped out of high school and moved to New York. While in the US Army during WWII, he heard someone sing the original profane version of Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee. After the war, McGhee returned to New York and rewrote the song and recorded it for Harlem Records in 1947. Harlem owner J. Mayo Williams took a songwriting credit. When that didn't sell, McGhee took the song to Atlantic Records and the 1949 recording and it reached #2 on the R&B Singles chart and #26 on the hit parade. Both recordings are on this CD. The Atlantic recording includes pianist Wilbert "Big Chief" Ellis and bassist Gene Ramey. Brownie is the second voice. Lionel Hampton and Wynonie Harris covered Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee. The Harris version is really good. McGhee didn't have any other hits. He recorded for Essex, King and Savoy. He recorded with Sonny Terry in 1960 and then he died on Aug. 15, 1961 at age 43. That's when Brownie McGhee started performing with Terry. Here's a video for Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee by Sticks McGhee.
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