Biography
The Jackson Blue Boys, whose name alluded to the Mississippi city rather than any actual member, functioned as a blues supergroup long before that description existed. Three seasoned musicians comprised the lineup, each proficient on no fewer than double the instruments listed and each already maintaining an independent recording history. Later reissues of their material underscore this point, with tracks such as the sly “Hidin’ on Me” appearing on anthologies credited to Charlie McCoy or Walter Vinson.
McCoy, who should not be mistaken for the subsequent country-and-western harmonica virtuoso of the same name, handled vocals while accompanying himself on guitar, mandolin, and accordion. His associate Vinson specialized in country-blues guitar and vocals. Completing the trio was Bo Carter, whose comparable skills and repertoire extended to banjo and bass. Columbia talent scout Frank Walker captured the group during a concentrated round of recordings at New Orleans’ Roosevelt Hotel in late 1928. In a letter to another producer, Walker offered an assessment that seems unrelated to any later three-piece ensembles such as the Minutemen: “Good trip so far and lots of good records (we hope) but who can tell, they may all be punk.” ~ Eugene Chadbourne
McCoy, who should not be mistaken for the subsequent country-and-western harmonica virtuoso of the same name, handled vocals while accompanying himself on guitar, mandolin, and accordion. His associate Vinson specialized in country-blues guitar and vocals. Completing the trio was Bo Carter, whose comparable skills and repertoire extended to banjo and bass. Columbia talent scout Frank Walker captured the group during a concentrated round of recordings at New Orleans’ Roosevelt Hotel in late 1928. In a letter to another producer, Walker offered an assessment that seems unrelated to any later three-piece ensembles such as the Minutemen: “Good trip so far and lots of good records (we hope) but who can tell, they may all be punk.” ~ Eugene Chadbourne