Black Ace

Black Ace was the most frequently used stage name of the American Texas blues musician born Babe Kyro Lemon Turner (December 21, 1905 – November 7, 1972),[1][2][3] who was also known as B. K. Turner, Black Ace Turner, Babe Turner and Buck Turner.

Not to be confused with Black Aces.
Black Ace
Birth nameBabe Kyro Lemon Turner
Also known asB.K. Turner
Black Ace Turner
Babe Turner
Buck Turner
Born(1905-12-21)December 21, 1905
Hughes Springs, Texas, United States
DiedNovember 7, 1972(1972-11-07) (aged 66)
Fort Worth, Texas
GenresTexas blues
Country blues
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years activeLate 1920s – mid-1940s, 1960–1962
LabelsDecca, Arhoolie

He was born in Hughes Springs, Texas,[2] and was raised on his family's farm. He taught himself to play guitar and performed in east Texas from the late 1920s on. In the early 1930s he began playing with Smokey Hogg and Oscar "Buddy" Woods, a Hawaiian-style guitarist who played with the instrument flat on his lap.[4] Turner then bought a National steel guitar and began playing what a later music critic called "Hawaii meets the Delta."[1]

In 1937, Turner recorded six songs (possibly with Hogg as second guitarist) for Decca Records in Dallas, including the blues song "Black Ace".[4] In the same year, he started a radio show on KFJZ in Fort Worth, using that recording as a theme song, and soon assumed the name.[4]

In 1941, he appeared in The Blood of Jesus, an African-American movie produced by Spencer Williams Jr. In 1943 Turner was drafted into the United States Army and gave up playing music for some years.[4] In 1960, Chris Strachwitz, the owner of Arhoolie Records, persuaded him to record an album for Arhoolie. His last public performance was in the 1962 film documentary The Blues.

Turner died of cancer in Fort Worth in 1972.[2]

Discography
  • The Black Ace: BK Turner and His Steel Guitar (studio album, Arhoolie, 1960)
  • I'm the Boss Card in Your Hand (compilation, Arhoolie, 1992)
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References
  1. "Turner, Babe Kyro Lemon (Black Ace)". The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Tshaonline.org. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  2. Thedeadrockstarsclub.com – accessed September 2010
  3. Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music. Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 181. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
  4. "Babe Black Ace Turner". Thebluestrail.com. Retrieved November 19, 2011.

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