Curley Weaver

Curley Weaver
Background information
Birth name Curley James Weaver
Also known as Slim Gordon[1]
Born March 25, 1906
Covington, Georgia, United States
Origin Atlanta, Georgia
Died September 20, 1962 (aged 56)
Almon, Georgia
Genres Blues
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Years active 1925–1959
Associated acts Blind Willie McTell, Barbecue Bob, The Georgia Browns, The Georgia Cotton Pickers

Curley James Weaver (March 25, 1906 - September 20, 1962[2]) was an American blues musician, also known as Slim Gordon.

Biography

Early years

He was born in Covington, Georgia, United States,[2] 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 Charlie Hicks.[3] The three formed a group with harmonica player Eddie Mapp, and played in the local area.[3]

Early career

In 1925 Weaver moved to Atlanta, working as a laborer and playing on the streets and at various social events.[1] 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.[3] 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.[3]

Later years

After World War II he recorded in New York and Atlanta both solo, and with McTell.[3] His final recordings were in 1949. Weaver lost his sight in the 1950s after working on the railroad, and died of uremia[2] in Almon, Georgia,[4] in 1962, at the age of 56.

Children

His daughter Cora Mae Bryant (born May 1, 1926) continued in her father's tradition as a blues musician until her own death in late 2008.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Curly (sic) Weaver". Thebluestrail.com. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 User.efortress.com - accessed May 2009
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues - From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. p. 182. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
  4. ↑ Allmusic.com - accessed May 2009

External links