(alternate) is a nickname used for the late J. Mayo Williams.

label was a subsidiary of R C A VICTOR, active during 1953-1955. Issue #0142 was released by 25 June 1955. By 10 September 1955, R C A VICTOR announced that it intended “X” to be renamed VIK. It had become Vik by the time of issue #X-0227. The #LX-3000 series (later #LVA-3009 series) commencing 1953, and mainly prewar jazz) comprised 10-inch 33 rpm LPs. The #EVA-3000 series (and also #EVA-6 onwards) comprised 7-inch 45 rpm EPs.
“X” featured: “country and urban blues” (Ida Mae Mack and Bessie Tucker: LP #LVA-3016); Peppermint Harris (#0142); Louis Jordan; “The Jug Bands” (LP #LVA-3009,); “Kings of the Blues” (LP #LVA-3032); Ida Mae Mack (#EVA-7); Memphis Jug Band (#EVA-3009); Mickey ; & Sylvia; Bessie Tucker (#EVA-8); The Washboard Rhythm Kings (LP #LVA-3021); Jimmy Yancey (LP #LX-3000; #EVA-3000).
Artists not of blues interest included: Henry “Red” Allen (LP #LVA-3033); Eddie Condon (LP #LX-3005); Johnny Dodds (LP #LX-3006); Earl Hines (LP #LVA-3023); Tommy Ladnier (LP #LVA-3027); Jimmie Lunceford (LP #LX-3002); McKinney’s Cotton Pickers (LP #LVA-3031)’ Mezz Mezzrow (LP #LVA-3015, #EVA-6); The Missourians (LP #LVA-3020, #EVA-15); Jelly Roll Morton (LP #LX-3008, LP #LVA-3028); Bennie Moten (LP #LX-3004; LP #LVA-3025); King Oliver (#EVA11); The Original Dixieland Jazz Band (LP #LX-3007); Ben Pollack (LP #LX-3003); Susan Reed (LP #LVA-3019, #EVA-29); Rex Stewart (LP #LX-3001); Pick Temple (LP #LVA-3022); Fats Waller (LP #LVA-3035).

(trumpet) was born at Evansville, Indiana on 10 April 1924. He was based at New York City as a member of Louis Jordan’s Tympany Five during 1945 and 1946. He was featured in the short film “Beware” in 1946.

(gospel vocal) sang with the Echoes of Zion.

(gospel tenor voice) was a member of the Ingramettes, backing Maggie Ingram for Nashboro in the mid-1960s.

(producer; label executive) reportedly hailed from Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a Disc Jockey at Washington, DC, in 1962. Under the name AL BELL he was credited as producer of many Stax productions, at Memphis.

(alternate) is listed at SAM BO, at S.

(blues vocal; actress; producer) was born in Georgia in about 1895: per 1930 census, 7 April 1930. She has wrongly been reported as being born in Baltimore in 1900. She may have worked as Idaho Jones. She married actor John Jordan (born about 1884) in about late 1918. She may be the Bertha Jordan, aged 25, married, “Cook, Private family”, who on 14 January 1920 resided in the household of Lynn W. Hudson, white, aged 38, at 77 Penn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia. No husband was listed for her at that address. On Monday 21 March 1927, the Idaho and Harris Music Company (headed by Bertha Idaho and William Harris, producers and principals) commenced a week’s performance, with 25 cast members, at the Savoy theatre, (Ohio and Atlantic Avenues), Atlantic City, New Jersey. The show, “Harris In Idaho” (sic), was billed as “a big musical comedy revue” starring Bertha Idaho and Arletta Harris with 25 talented entertainers. The show may not have been as big an attraction as had been hoped, because by 23 March 1927, Clara Smith and her “Black Bottom Revue” had been added without an increase in the admission price. She recorded YOU’VE GOT THE RIGHT EYE, BUT YOU’RE PEEPING AT THE WRONG KEYHOLE (Columbia #14355-D) at New York City on 22 May 1928, backed by pianist Bob Ricketts. In early November 1928, “Georgia Peaches” was presented at the Walker Theatre, Indiana Avenue and West Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, “With Those Two Funny Fellows, HEZEKIAH JENKINS and “IDAHO” – John Jordan”, and “BERTHA IDAHO – Columbia Record Star” was featured. When Bertha Idaho appeared in “Georgia Peaches” at the Dauphine Theatre, (330 Dauphine Street), Algiers, Louisiana commencing on Monday 3 December 1928, she was reported to be “the youngest colored star employed by the Columbia Record Company”. The show’s producer was shown as ‘John Jordan Idaho’ and one ‘Ida Idaho’ was reported to be a principal cast member, alongside Hezekiah Jenkins. The show was featured by the Majestic Theatrical Circuit, Inc. On Friday 28 December 1928, Bertha Idaho was presented at the Friday night midnight “frolic” for white audiences at the 81 Theater, Decatur Street, Atlanta, Georgia, together with the “Georgia Peaches”, comedians Idaho (alias John Jordan) and (Hezekiah) Jenkins; harmonica player “Slim” Smith, and others. Bertha recorded DOWN ON PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE (Columbia #14437-D) at New York City on 25 May 1929, backed by Ed Allen playing cornet. Although the files indicate Clarence Williams was the pianist, Bertha stated that Tom Delaney was the pianist, and composer credit to (Delaney), who lived at Baltimore from about 1928, tends to confirm that. Titles from the second session have been reissued by CBS LP #63288 and Rosetta LP #RR 1300. Bertha Idaho was featured with “The Georgia Peaches” at the Star Theatre, Annapolis, Maryland, during November 1929: per “The Evening Capital” (Annapolis, Maryland), Monday 11 November 1929, page 6; and Tuesday 12 November 1929, page 6. She was featured at the Star Theatre, Annapolis, Maryland on Tuesday 10 December 1929, when “Jordan & Jordan” presented “20 Minutes in Hell”, featuring Jessie Wilson, Herman Higgs and Thelma Baytop. Bertha Idaho, “Recording Star”, was supported by a “Dancing Chorus of Fast Steppers”: per “The Evening Capital” (Annapolis, Maryland), Tuesday 10 December 1929, page 6. Bertha Idaho was featured on a 15-minute program over radio WFBR, Baltimore, at 7:00 pm on Thursday 6 March 1930: per “The Evening Sun” (Baltimore, Maryland), Thursday morning 6 March 1930, page 17; and “The Evening Sun” (Baltimore, Maryland), Thursday 6 March 1930, page 32. Tom Delaney was enumerated, as “Thomas Delaney”, at 933 Wilmer Court, near 919 Middle Court, on Sheet 10A/ Image 18, in Enumeration District 4-283, Block 38 or 39, Ward 17, Baltimore City, Maryland, for the 1930 Census on 7 April 1930. He was shown as aged 46, widow, having married at 36, “Actor, Theatre”. He was sharing a house with John Jorden (sic: 45, married at 33), and Bertha Jorden (34, married at 22), respectively “Actor, Theatre” and “Actress, Theatre”; and with Ed Smith (35, married at 34) and Geneva Smith (19, married at 418), respectively “Musician, Theatre” and “Servant, Private Family”. Mary Green, aged 22, “Actress, Theatre”, lived nearby at 919 Middle Court. Delaney was shown as having been born in South Carolina, to parents from South Carolina. John and his parents were born in Maryland but Bertha and her parents were born in Georgia. This was in the Upton district of Baltimore, near Pennsylvania Avenue. She was in Baltimore, Maryland in 1930 and 1934. For the 1937 Baltimore city directory, Bertha Jordan (widow of John A.), “entertainer”, was the householder at 939 Wilmer Court, Baltimore. In 1940, Bertha Jordan (45, no stated occupation, widow) resided at 939 Wilmer Court, Baltimore, near 605 Greenwillow Street. Lodging with her was Edward Jones (perhaps 20, born Maryland, “Musician, Tavern”). In 1948 she was residing on Greenwillow Street, Baltimore: per E. B. Rea, “Afro-American”, 16 October 1948, discussing Tom Delaney. This area seems to have been redeveloped for a public housing estate. She was still living at Baltimore in 1969, reported Paul Oliver. She may have been known as Bertha Dixie Jordan.
“Screening the Blues”, page200.

(secular vocal; composer; producer) was born Di Fosco T. Ervin, Jr. (sic) at New York City on 8 July 1939. He sang with The Pastels and worked with Little Eva. He was based in California. He was known for SWINGING ON A STAR and ANOTHER NIGHT WITH THE BOYS. He was a member of Local #47. He died of heart failure at Las Vegas, Nevada on 27 August 1995, aged 63.

The Aces (group); Carey Addison (drums); (Little) Nathaniel Addison (drums); Alabama Red (piano); Pete Allen (guitar); Luther Allison (guitar); Ray Allison (drums); Ike Anderson (bass); Willie Anderson (harmonica); Hermon Applewhite (bass); Nate Applewhite (drums); Billy Boy Arnold (harmonica);
Easy Baby (Randall: harmonica); Frank Bandy (bass); L. V. Banks (guitar); Barkin’ Bill (vocal); Lefty Bates (guitar); Alan Batts (keyboard); Steve Beal (guitar); Carey Bell (harmonica); Lurrie Bell (guitar); Fred Below (drums); Wayne Bennett (guitar); Buster Benton (guitar); Little Joe Berson (harmonica); Big Bad Ben (Murphy) (guitar, harmonica); Big Red (Walter Smith) (guitar); Big Time Sarah (vocal); Willie Black (bass); Sylvester Boines (bass); Cornelius Boyson (bass); Buck Braggs (bass); Billy Branch (harmonica); Blind Jim Brewer (guitar); John Brim (guitar); Big Leon Brooks (harmonica); Lonnie Brooks (guitar); Andrew Brown (guitar); Arelean Brown (vocal); Dusty Brown (harmonica); Willie Buck (vocal); Elbert (J.D.) Buckner (drums); Eddie “Jew Town” Burks (harmonica); Aron Burton (bass); Kenny Burton (guitar); Larry Burton (guitar); Wild Child Butler (harmonica)
Eddie C. Campbell (guitar); Odell Campbell (bass); Bombay Carter (guitar, bass); Joe Carter (guitar); Tyrone Centuray (drums); Vince Chapelle (drums); Nick Charles (bass); Singing Sam Chatman (bass); Chico Chism (drums); Bessie Clark (vocal); Jim Conley (saxophone); James Cotton (harmonica); Robert Covington (drums); Steve Cushing (drums)
Dallas Guitar Slim (vocal, guitar); Lester Davenport (bass); Ike Davis (drums); Blind John Davis (piano); John Henry Davis (bass/guitar); Bobby (Top Hat) Davis (organ, drums); Jimmy Dawkins (guitar); Detroit Junior (piano); Willie Dixon (bass); Lefty Dizz (guitar); Dog Man (drums) (Arthur Jackson); Johnny Dollar (Williams) (guitar); Tail Dragger (vocal); Johnny Drummer (vocal)
Good Rockin’ Charles Edwards (harmonica); Honeyboy Edwards (guitar); Edward El (guitar); Big Mojo Elem (bass); Johnny Embry (guitar); Sylvia Embry (bass); Billy The Kid Emerson (piano); Larry Exum (bass)
Douglas Fagan (saxophone); Bob Fender (guitar); Bobby Fields (saxophone); Left-Hand Frank (guitar); Michael Frank (harmonica); Steve Friund (guitar)
Ashward Gates (drums); Ernie Gatewood (bass); Johnny Gayden (bass); Alberto Gianquinto (piano); Lacey Gibson (guitar); Chickenhouse Shorty Gilbert (bass); Leonard Gill (guitar); John Lee Granderson (guitar); Arvella Gray (guitar); James Green (bass); Buddy Guy (guitar); Phil Guy (guitar);
Mark Hannon (harmonica); Joe Harrington (bass); Vernon Harrington (guitar); Ted Harvey (drums); Willie Hayes (drums); Jesse Hawkins (saxophone); Erwin Helfer (piano); John Lee Henley (harmonica); Charles Hicks (drums); Highway Man (vocal); Harmonica Hinds (harmonica); Douglas “Lee Baby” Holt (drums); Nick Holt (bass); Big Walter Horton (harmonica); J.B. Hutto (guitar)
Illinois Slim (Tom Morris);
Jump Jackson (drums); Lee Jackson (guitar: deceased); Clifton James (drums); Homesick James (guitar); Andrew Jeffrey (drums, vocal); Earnest Johnson (bass); Jimmy Johnson (guitar); Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson (guitar); Marcus Johnson (saxophone); Willie Johnson (guitar); Calvin “Fuzzy” Jones (bass); Carl Jones (vocal); Floyd Jones (guitar); K.C. Jones (drums); Willie Jones (drums); Johnny Junious (drums)
Kansas City Red (drums); Willie Kent (bass); King Edward (Antoine) (guitar); Bobby King (guitar); Eddie King (Milton) (guitar); Rich Kirch (guitar); Rick Krehr (guitar)
Hip Linkchain (alias Lankchan: guitar); Mary Lane (vocal); Sammy Lawhorn (guitar); Sam Lay (drums); Lafayette Leake (piano); S.P. Leary (drums); Bonnie Lee (vocal); Lovey Lee (piano); Bob Levis )guitar); Johnnie Lewis (guitar); John Littlejohn (guitar); Little Milton (Campbell) (guitar); Abb Locke (saxophone); Lucky Lopez (guitar); Phil Lowman (vocal); Willie James Lyons (guitar)
Charlie McClelland (guitar); William “Doug” McDonald (guitar); Andrew Blueblood McMahon (bass)
Magic Slim (Holt) (guitar); Lady Margo (vocal); Bob Margolin (guitar); Martin, Bogan & Armstrong (group); Mickey Martin (drums); Maxwell Street Jimmy (guitar); Harmonica George (Earring George) Mayweather (harmonica); Charles Miles (saxophone, flute); Snapper Mitchum (bass); Willie Monroe (drums, guitar); Little Brother Montgomery (piano); Johnnie B. Moore (guitar); “Murphy” (bass); Matt Murphy (guitar); Bob Myers (harmonica); Dave Myers (bass); Louis Myers (guitar, harmonica)
Dino “Alvarez” Neal (drums); Kenny Neal (bass); Little Bobby Neeley (saxophone); Alvin (B.B.Jones) Nichols (guitar); Deadeye Norris (guitar);
Andrew (B. B./ Big Voice) Odom (vocal); Little Oscar (vocal);
Steve Patterson (drums) “Twist Turner”; Eddie Payne? (drums); Odie Payne, Jr. (drums); Earl Payton (harmonica); Morris Pejoe (guitar); Piano C. Red (piano); Pinetop Perkins (piano); Junior Pettis (guitar); Brewer Phillips (guitar); Steve Plair (guitar); Jerry Portnoy (harmonica); John Primer (guitar); Snooky Pryor (harmonica)
Harmon Ray (inactive); A.C. Reed (saxophone); John Regulus (piano); Bob Reidy (piano); Dan Richmond (harmonica); John Riley (bass); Bert (Top Hat) Robinson (drums); Fenton Robinson (guitar); Harmonica George Robinson (harmonica); Jimmy Lee Robinson (bass); L.C. Roby (guitar); Jimmy Rogers (guitar); Otis Rush (guitar); Little Pat Rushing (guitar)
Ken Sadjac (organ); Ben Sandmel (drums); Frank Scott Jr. (bass); Ray Scott (drums); Son Seals (guitar); Eddie Shaw (saxophone, harmonica); Little Mack Simmons (harmonica); Smiling Bobby (guitar); Byther Smith (guitar); Chuck Smith (saxophone, bass); Willie Smith (drums); Big Smokey Smothers (guitar); Little Smokey Smothers (guitar); Carl Snyder (piano); Soulful Mary (Taylor) (vocal); Dimestore Fred Stoop (harmonica); Bob Stroger (bass); Nolan Struck (bass); Hubert Sumlin (guitar); Sunnyland Slim (piano); “T. V. Sweet” (drums); Pocketwatch Paul Switzer (guitar);
Eddie Taylor (guitar); Koko Taylor (vocal); Robert Taylor (drums); Harlon Terson (bass); Mac Thompson (bass); Sonny Thompson (piano); Jimmy Tillman (drums); Smoky Tillman (guitar); Luther Tucker (guitar); Benny Turner (bass); “Twist Turner” (Steve Patterson?);
Big Moose Walker (piano); John-Boy Walton (guitar); Hayes Ware (bass); Bill Warren (drums, trumpet); Eddy Clear Water (guitar); Muddy Waters (guitar); Rob Watters (organ); Jerry Welch (guitar); Junior Wells (harmonica); Artie White (vocal); Lavelle White (vocal); J. W. Williams (bass, vocal); Lee Shot Williams (vocal); Muddy Waters Jr. Williams (vocal); Willie Williams (drums); Woody Williams (drums); Edith Wilson (vocal); Sonny Boy Wilson (harmonica); Golden Wheeler (harmonica); James Wheeler (guitar); Little Wolf (Sanders); Little Wolf (Solomon);
Mama Estelle Yancey (vocal); Mighty Joe Young (guitar); Zora Young (vocal)
By 1992, Booba Barnes was living at Chicago, and Kid Dynamite was singing on Maxwell Street. David Lindsay was active in the 1990s.
Place of death (1956) of Ernest “Big” Crawford.
Chicago Heights: featured Dusty Brown
DE KALB COUNTY
Sandwich: place of death (1979) of Don Talty.
DU PAGE COUNTY
Villa Park: location (1930) of Don Talty.
EDWARDS COUNTY: nothing known
FRANKLIN COUNTY: nothing known
GALLATIN COUNTY: nothing known
HAMILTON COUNTY: nothing known
HARDIN COUNTY: nothing known
IROQUOIS COUNTY
Watseka: location (2010) of Master James;
JACKSON COUNTY: nothing known
JEFFERSON COUNTY: nothing known
JOHNSON COUNTY: nothing known
KANE COUNTY
AURORA, was the scene of 1937 Recordings for Victor/ Bluebird by:
Merline Johnson (Bluebird) master #07631/6 May 1937; Curtis Jones (Bluebird) master #014338/41 October 1937; Little Bill (Bluebird) master #07628 May 1937; Robert Lee McCoy (Bluebird) master #07655/60 May 1937; Mary Mack (Bluebird) master #07622/5 May 1937; Tampa Red (Bluebird) May 1937; Henry Townsend (Bluebird) master #016534/7 November 1937; John D. Twitty (Black Spider Dumplin’) (Bluebird) master #07626/30 May 1937; Washboard Sam (Bluebird) master #07614/21 May 1937; Charley West (Bluebird) master #07637/40 May 1937; Sonny Boy Williamson (Bluebird) master #07649/54 May 1937.
1938 Recordings: Jazz Gillum (Bluebird) March 1938; Willie Hatcher (Bluebird) master #030866/7 December 1938; George Jefferson (Bluebird) master #020830/1 June 1938; Elijah Jones (Bluebird) master #020120/5 March 1938; One Arm Slim (Bluebird) master #020166/7 March 1938; Yank Rachell (Bluebird) master #020126/9 March 1938; Lulu Scott (Bluebird) master #020832/3 June 1938; Speckled Red (Bluebird) master # 030838/47 December 1938; Sam Theard master #0201501 March 1938; Lorraine Walton (Bluebird) master #020162/5 March 1938; (“Jackson”) Joe Williams (Bluebird) master #020854/7 June 1938.
Elgin:
KANKAKEE COUNTY
Kankakee: was mentioned by Tom Dickson, who may have had some connection with the town, despite being recorded at Memphis, Tennessee.
Manteno: residence at death (1984) of Odell Campbell.
Momence: was the site of a farm and country retreat owned (1960s) by Eddie Boyd (incorrectly transcribed as Moments).
LAKE COUNTY
Waukegan:
LEE COUNTY
Harmon Township: location (1920) of Don Talty.
MACON COUNTY
Decatur: location of Preston Jackson (guitar); he moved to Peoria.
MADISON COUNTY
Alton: reported birthplace (1903) of Thomas “Barrelhouse Buck” McFarland (also reported as MacFarland).
Alton: residence (1910 and 1920) of Thomas “Barrelhouse Buck” McFarland.
Collinsville: birthplace (1894) of Millard G. Thomas. See also St. Clair County.
Granite City: was the base of the Stevens label in the late 1950s, and of Johnny Wright.
Love Joy: was the home of Albert King
Madison: Chuck Bernard;
Newport: location of the Waterfront Club, where James “Steady Roll” Johnson played from about 1931 to 1960.
MASSAC COUNTY: nothing known
MARION COUNTY
Centralia: was a railroad center mentioned by Sleepy John Estes in his song, SPECIAL AGENT BLUES (DECCA # , recorded ). It was the birthplace (1910) of musician twins Lawrence Leake and Lenard Leake, both of whom may have been of blues interest.
PEORIA COUNTY
Peoria: featured Bobbye A. King (died 2008); Preston Jackson (initially from Decatur: more recently a sculptor/ painter/ jazz guitarist); Dave Chastain; Brian Stear; J. M. “Sully” Sullivan (booking agent).
PERRY COUNTY: Nothing known
POPE COUNTY: nothing known
PULASKI COUNTY
Pulaski:
Ullin: was the home of Snooky Pryor from 1972 until his death in 2006; and (from 1972) of his son, Richard “Rip Lee” Pryor.
RANDOLPH COUNTY: nothing known
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
East Moline: location (1930) of Laurdine Patrick, Sr., and of his son, Laurdine K. “Pat” Patrick.
Moline: “Cracker” was active there.
Rock Island: was the birthplace of Francey Clay.
SALINE COUNTY: nothing known
ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Belleville: was the site of the Marlo label.
Brooklyn has been a small center of blues activity, and is situated immediately to the north of East St. Louis and across the Mississippi River from St. Louis itself. The town, and more particularly its 45th Street, was presumably the one celebrated by Clifford Gibson in BROOKLYN BLUES (45TH STREET BLUES), recorded at New York City in 1929 on Victor #23255.
Centreville: burial site (Booker Washington Cemetery, 1966) of Charles McFadden.
Collinsville: birthplace (1894) of Millard G. Thomas. See also Madison County.
East St. Louis: location (1920) of Charles McFadden; (1930) of Arthur Pettis; (1994) of Q. T. Macon.
East St. Louis: featured George and Ethel McCoy
UNION COUNTY: Nothing known
VERMILION COUNTY
Danville: residence (1920) of Sam Utterback.
WABASH COUNTY: nothing known
WARREN COUNTY
Monmouth: residence (1910) of J. Mayo Williams (born Arkansas, 1892).
WAYNE COUNTY
Berry Township: location (1910) of Charles McFadden and his family.
WHITE COUNTY: nothing known
WILL COUNTY
Joliet: was the site of the old Illinois State Prison, as a result of which it has been mentioned in blues by Freddie Spruell (4A HIGHWAY, recorded); Kansas Joe (McCoy) (JOLIET BOUND, recorded ); Johnny Shines ( , recorded ); Joliet was home to Blue Smitty.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY: nothing known
WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Rockford: featured Walter L. Cole (bass: 1985); Floyd Murphy (guitar)