Biography
Born on 19 October 1933 in Ethel, Louisiana, Dotson launched his musical journey performing blues numbers at a neighborhood juke joint before expanding his abilities to drums and guitar. He joined forces with Lazy Lester in one ensemble and later teamed with Silas Hogan in the Rhythm Ramblers. Although Hogan fronted the latter outfit, its debut recording featured Dotson handling the lead vocals. Jay Miller released two singles credited to Dotson on the Rocko and Zynn imprints, both cast in an energetic R&B style that contrasted sharply with Hogan’s raw, down-home blues approach. Dotson spent several years based in Memphis, where an additional single appeared on the Home Of The Blues label, before returning to Baton Rouge in the early 80s to resume performing at Tabby Thomas’ Blues Box club.