Curley Weaver
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Curley James Weaver (25 March 1906 - 20 September 1962) was an American blues musician known as the "Georgia Guitar Wizard".
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early years
He was born in Covington, Georgia and raised on a farm near Porterdale. His mother, Savannah "Dip" Shepard Weaver, was a well-respected pianist and guitarist, who taught Curley together with her friend's sons, "Barbecue Bob" Hicks and "Laughing Charlie Lincoln"/Charlie Hicks. The three formed a group with harmonica player Eddie Mapp, and played in the local area.
[edit] Early career
In 1925 Weaver moved to Atlanta, working as a laborer and playing on the streets and at various social events. In 1928, he first recorded with Columbia Records, later releasing records on several different record labels. Although he recorded on his own during the 1920s and 1930s, first in the style taught by his mother and later with the spreading "Piedmont" style, he was best known for duets with Blind Willie McTell - with whom he worked until the 1950s - as well as Barbecue Bob, Fred McMullen, and harmonica and guitar player Buddy Moss. He was also a member of the recording groups The Georgia Browns (Weaver, Moss, McMullen) and The Georgia Cotton Pickers (Bob, Weaver, Moss), examples of the sort of bands that played house parties in those days.
[edit] Later years
After WW II he recorded in New York and Atlanta both solo, and with McTell. His final recordings were in 1949. Weaver lost his sight in the 1950s after working on the railroad, and died in Almon, Georgia in 1962, at the age of 56.
[edit] Children
His daughter Cora Mae Bryant (born 1 May 1926) continues in her father’s tradition as a blues musician.
