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Neal Pattman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neal Pattman
Also known asBig Daddy Pattman
Born(1926-01-10)January 10, 1926
Madison County, Georgia, United States
DiedMay 4, 2005(2005-05-04) (aged 79)
Athens, Georgia, United States
GenresElectric blues[1]
Occupation(s)Singer, harmonica player, songwriter
Instrument(s)Harmonica, vocals
Years active1960s–2005
LabelsGlobal Village, Music Maker, Bent Notes

Neal Pattman (January 10, 1926 – May 4, 2005)[2] was an American electric blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter.[1] Sometimes billed as Big Daddy Pattman, he is best known for his self-penned tracks, "Prison Blues" and "Goin' Back To Georgia". In the latter, and most notable stages of his long career, Pattman worked with Cootie Stark, Taj Mahal, Dave Peabody, Jimmy Rip, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Guitar Gabriel, and Lee Konitz.[2][3]

Biography

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Pattman was born in Madison County, Georgia, United States, one of fourteen children.[1][2] He learned harmonica playing from his father, after an accident involving a wagon wheel at the age of nine left him with only his left arm.[4] Inspired by Sonny Terry's playing and distinctive whoops and hollers, Pattman played on the street corners of nearby Athens, Georgia. He found regular employment in the University of Georgia's kitchens, and gained further experience and local adoration for his regular live performances at various clubs and festivals.[5] However, his more general renown was minimal until 1989, when he performed at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.[1][3]

A meeting in 1991 with Tim Duffy, of the Music Maker Relief Foundation, led to Pattman playing with Cootie Stark, supporting Taj Mahal, on a nationwide Blues Revival Tour.[1] Playing with the British blues guitarist, Dave Peabody,[3] led to Pattman releasing three albums between 1995 and 2001. He also contributed to Kenny Wayne Shepherd's album and DVD, 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads, which was released in 2007.[1]

However, Pattman had already died of bone cancer in May 2005, in Athens, Georgia, aged 79.[1][2]

Discography

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Year Title Record label
1995 The Blues Ain't Left Yet Global Village Records
1999 Prison Blues Music Maker
2001 It Seemed Like a Dream Bent Notes Records

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Jason Ankeny. "Neal Pattman". Allmusic. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 2005 – January to June". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  3. ^ a b c Tony Russell (11 June 2005). "Neal Pattman; One-armed harmonica virtuoso". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  4. ^ "Neal Pattman". Musicmaker.org. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  5. ^ Don Nelson (May 7, 2005). "Neal Pattman: 1926–2005, Athens loses a music icon". Onlineathens.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  6. ^ "Neal Pattman | Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
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