Artist description Singer/Songwriter James Peterson's style is described as gritty and reminiscent of Freddie King. Born and raised in rural Alabama he learned the blues in his father's juke joint. He left home at age 14 and moved to Indiana where he began performing as a vocalist with a band. Peterson, a self taught guitarist, formed his first band in the 60's. This band often backed such blues legends as Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, and Howlin' Wolf. While living in New York during the 60's he opened a blues club. This gave him a place to showcase his talent as well as a venue for the many musicians who were enjoying the blues revival of the 60's. In 1970, Peterson recorded his first album, "The Father, Son, and the Blues", produced and co-written with Willie Dixon. He followed this album with "Tryin' to Keep the Blues Alive". He recorded "Rough and Ready" twenty years later in 1990. His fourth album, "Too Many Knots for the Kingsnake", was recorded in 1991. "Don't Let the Devil Ride", recorded in 1995 brought him a tremendous amount of recognition. An in demand show stopping performer James Peterson has been touring and performing nationally and internationally with almost nonstop energy. A master showman, he works his audience, giving them a roller coaster ride through the blues.

Music Style Blues

Musical Influences Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, etc.

Similar Artists Freddie King, Albert King, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, etc.

Artist History Born on November 4, 1937, Russell County, Alabama, USA. Blues guitarist and singer James Peterson spent much of his early musical career as a club owner in Florida. He is probably best known, however, for being the father of child prodigy Lucky Peterson. James's own father had run a "juke-joint' club in the early 50s, on exactly the same site where James later established Club 49. In the early 50s he travelled with his brother Aaron, before marrying and settling in Buffalo. There he established the Governor's Inn: The House Of Blues - although when purchasing the site he had to pretend to be a construction worker because the original tenant, who desperately wanted to sell, did not want to be seen associating with a black man. Artists including Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Howlin" Wolf, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, and many others, appeared at the venue, usually for six-night residencies. Other local stars included Elmore Weatherspoon and organist Joe Madison, while Peterson himself contributed backing guitar when visiting artists did not supply their own bands. Soon, with Lucky's emergence as a guitar-playing prodigy, he played alongside his son on shows including What's My Line and Sesame Street. The pair's exposure originally came as a result of recording a single together, "1, 2, 3, 4"/"Good Old Candy'. That was also Peterson Snr."s first release, though he quickly followed it up with "Sing The Blues Till I Die" for Yambo Records, which, like "1, 2, 3, 4', was produced by Willie Dixon. His first album was another collaboration with his son, but at the same time he continued to finance his musical career with club management (the After Dark in St. Petersburg and the New Governor's Inn in Buffalo) and a job as a second-hand car salesman. In the 90s he concentrated more on his own music, recording two albums for Ichiban Records before moving over to the Malaco Records' subsidiary label Waldoxy for 1995"s critically acclaimed Don't Let The Devil Ride.

Albums Preachin' the Blues, Don't Let The Devil Ride, Too Many Knots, Tryin' To Keep The Blues Alive, Wrong Bed!, Rough And Ready.

Press Reviews JAMES PETERSON "WRONG BED!" I knew about James Peterson before I got here. In fact I have a couple of his albums. His latest effort on his own label is a tasty stew of soul, funk and blues. James is still burnin’ and churnin’ after more than 40 years on the prowl. James’ son, former child-prodigy (now adult prodigy) Lucky Peterson, co-produced the album and contributes some dynamic backup. Solid listening pleasure! ©copyright 1999, Suncoast Blues Society

Additional Info 727-322-8274

Location St. Petersburg, Florida - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).