John T. Smith (blues musician)
John T. Smith (1896 – June 30, 1940) was an American Texas blues musician,[1] who had a short lived recording session with Vocalion Records. Little is known about his life, although he was a busking street musician in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. He was believed to have been born sometime between 1880 and 1890. Smith played at parties, juke joints, and fish fries. In a two-year period, from 1930 to 1931 he made close to twenty recordings. Among the songs he recorded was his trademark song, "Howlin Wolf Blues". On occasion the recording company would call him "The Howlin Wolf", Chester Burnette who was known as Howlin' Wolf claimed he had heard of Smith, but he did not get his nickname from him.[2] Smith's style of playing was reminiscent to Blind Lemon Jefferson.[3]
John T. Smith | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | J.T "Funny Papa" Smith "Funny Papa" Smith "Cool Papa" Smith "Funny Paper" Smith "The Howlin Wolf" |
| Born | 1896 Harrison County, Texas, United States |
| Died | June 30, 1940 Dallas, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Blues, Texas blues, country blues |
| Occupation(s) | Street musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1900–1940 |
| Labels | Vocalion |
| Associated acts | Alger "Texas" Alexander, Blind Lemon Jefferson |
Early life and musical career
Smith's birth date is not known for certainty, but he is believed to have been born in 1896. He was the child of Amos Smith and Hattie Webb, and was born in east Texas. Smith worked at the Lincoln Theatre in New York City, and also resided in Oklahoma for a while. In the 1920s, Smith got married. He was playing at local dances, picnics, and fairs, during the time he paired up with local Texas bluesman, Thomas Shaw. In 1930, Smith recorded for Vocalion in Chicago, even though he was playing in the Dallas area from the 1920s to 1930s. He has been said to have worn a stovepipe hat with his name stitched into the hat.[3]
Ending of music career
In the early 1930s, while Smith's musical career was going on, he killed a man either over a gambling dispute, or a woman. He spent a few years in Texas penitentiary. in 1935 in Fort Worth he recorded some songs for the Vocalion label, but the songs were never released. He toured Texas with Alger "Texas" Alexander in 1939.[3]
He is believed to have died on June 30, 1940, and been buried at Butler Nelson Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
References
- "SMITH, JOHN T. [FUNNY PAPA] | The Handbook of Texas Online| Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)". Tshaonline.org. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
- "Howlin' Wolf Interview". The Arhoolie Foundation. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- Laurie E. Jasinski (2012-02-22). Handbook of Texas Music. Texas A&M University Press. p. 191. ISBN 9780876112977. Retrieved 2015-07-15.