Hammie Nixon

Hammie Nixon (January 22, 1908 – August 17, 1984)^[1] was an American harmonica player.

Life and career

Born Hammie Nickerson in Brownsville, Tennessee,^[2] he began his music career with jug bands in the 1920s and is best known as a country blues harmonica player, but also played the kazoo, guitar and jug. He played with guitarist Sleepy John Estes for half a century, first recording with Estes in 1929 for the Victor Records label.^[1] He also recorded with Little Buddy Doyle, Lee Green, Clayton T. Driver, Charlie Pickett and Son Bonds.^[1]

During the 1920s Nixon helped to pioneer the use of the harmonica as a rhythm instrument in a band setting, rather than as a novelty solo instrument. After Estes died in 1979, Nixon played with the Beale Street Jug Band (also called the Memphis Jug Band). Nixon's last recording, "Tappin' That Thing" (Hmg Records), was recorded shortly before his death in 1984, in Jackson, Tennessee.^[2]

See also

• List of Harmonica blues musicians
• List of harmonicists
• Blues harp

References