Biography
Mercy Dee, born Mercy Walton, brought barrelhouse-style piano playing, deeply expressive vocals, and well-crafted lyrics to the blues joints of California’s San Joaquin Valley throughout the 1950s. His signature composition, “One Room Country Shack,” has since entered the blues canon and been interpreted by artists including Mose Allison, Eddie Shaw, and Roy Buchanan.
Born and raised in rural Texas, he relocated to Northern California in 1938. Between 1949 and the early 1950s he cut sides for several independent imprints—Imperial, Specialty, and Flair—earning his first taste of recognition when the debut single “Lonesome Cabin Blues” registered as a minor hit in 1949; “One Room Country Shack” appeared four years afterward.
The rise of rock & roll in the mid-1950s narrowed opportunities for his roots-oriented electric blues. He did issue the 1955 single “Come Back Maybelline,” a satirical rejoinder to Chuck Berry’s “Maybelline,” and received renewed attention when Mose Allison recorded “One Room Country Shack” in 1957, yet by the close of the decade he had withdrawn almost entirely from music.
In April 1961 Arhoolie founder Chris Strachwitz located Dee and persuaded him to undertake four recording sessions. While most selections featured only his piano and voice, several included rhythm guitarist K.C. Douglas, harmonica player Sidney Maiden, and drummer Otis Cherry.
Born and raised in rural Texas, he relocated to Northern California in 1938. Between 1949 and the early 1950s he cut sides for several independent imprints—Imperial, Specialty, and Flair—earning his first taste of recognition when the debut single “Lonesome Cabin Blues” registered as a minor hit in 1949; “One Room Country Shack” appeared four years afterward.
The rise of rock & roll in the mid-1950s narrowed opportunities for his roots-oriented electric blues. He did issue the 1955 single “Come Back Maybelline,” a satirical rejoinder to Chuck Berry’s “Maybelline,” and received renewed attention when Mose Allison recorded “One Room Country Shack” in 1957, yet by the close of the decade he had withdrawn almost entirely from music.
In April 1961 Arhoolie founder Chris Strachwitz located Dee and persuaded him to undertake four recording sessions. While most selections featured only his piano and voice, several included rhythm guitarist K.C. Douglas, harmonica player Sidney Maiden, and drummer Otis Cherry.