This Week In The Blues: March 22 - March 28, 2026

HEY BLUES FANS

Here's the latest episode of "This Week In The Blues" for the week of March 22 - March 28, 2026.

Some of the highlights include Piedmont blues guitarist Curley Weaver, blues guitarist "Louisiana Red", and Texas blues guitarist and singer Johnny Copeland.

Keep in mind that there's so much more that happened this week in the blues. If you want to know more about these artists or other things that happened this week in the blues, be sure to visit our website or follow our Facebook page:
https://bigtrainblues.com
https://www.facebook.com/BigTrainBlues

Photo credits (if known) and past episodes are posted on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@BigTrainBlues

Here are links to a few of the artists or songs we've referenced in this week's episode:

Louisiana Red - "Let Me Be Your Electrician" (Live) - https://youtu.be/RIGBKG9CGXw?si=7cyefYyjepjdOhjX

RUFUS THOMAS - "Breakdown' & 'Funky Chicken' LIVE @ WATTSTAX 1973 - https://youtu.be/KCFyKRtlLOI?si=0AzhQYQXUWrcV8FT

Join me every weekday from 12:15pm-12:45pm CT to watch a live stream on Facebook of the longest running blues radio show program. https://www.facebook.com/DeltaCulturalCenter

ALSO - Consider joining the Blues Society of Oklahoma and helping them continue their mission - https://bluessocietyoklahoma.com/membership/

We’ll have a new episode next week – we’ll see you then!

ARE YOU A FAN OF BLUES HISTORY? US TOO!

 If you want to know more about these artists or other things that happened this week in the blues, be sure to visit our website or follow our Facebook page:

     https://bigtrainblues.com

     https://www.facebook.com/BigTrainBlues

Transcript

Juke Boy Bonner was born March 22, 1932, in Bellville, Texas. This blues musician was known for performing with guitar, harmonica, and drums. He earned the nickname “Juke Boy” for singing in local juke joints as a youth. Teaching himself guitar at age twelve, Bonner launched his career as a teenager and won a Houston talent show in 1948. Between 1954 and 1960 he recorded several singles, though not all were released at the time.

"Louisiana Red" was born March 23, 1932 in Bessemer, Alabama. He lost his parents early in life; his mother from pneumonia soon after his birth, and his father was lynched by the Ku Klux Klan in 1937. He was brought up by a series of relatives in various towns and cities. Born Iverson Mintner, Red recorded for Chess in 1949, before joining the Army. After leaving the Army, he played with John Lee Hooker in Detroit for two years in the late 1950s. He recorded for Checker Records in 1952, billed as Rocky Fuller.

Harmonica Legend Lee Oskar was born on March 24, 1946. Oskar has been described as “the harmonica whiz" and considered among the best rock, blues, and soul harmonica players. In 1983, Oskar formed Lee Oskar Harmonica to manufacture high-quality harmonicas. The company sells harmonicas suited to many different styles of music, and Oskar's altered tunings allows players to explore other genres such as Tango, Reggae, Latin, Asian, and many more. When Junior Wells died, he was buried with a tray of Lee Oskar harmonicas.

Piedmont blues guitarist Curley Weaver was born March 25, 1906, in Covington, Georgia. He was influenced early by his mother and musicians Barbecue Bob and Charlie Hicks. Moving to Atlanta in 1925, he recorded from 1928 through the 1930s and became known for his long partnership with Blind Willie McTell. Weaver also performed with Buddy Moss and others before working for the railroad later in life. He died in 1962 at age 56, leaving a lasting blues legacy continued by his daughter Cora Mae Bryant.

A central figure in Memphis soul, blues, and funk, Rufus Thomas was born March 26, 1917, in Cayce, Mississippi. A performer, DJ, and talent scout, he helped launch artists like B.B. King and Bobby “Blue” Bland. His 1953 Sun hit “Bear Cat” and later Stax dance hits such as “Walking the Dog” and “Do the Funky Chicken” made him a much loved entertainer. Known as “The World’s Oldest Teenager,” Thomas remained active for decades before his death on December 15, 2001.

Texas blues guitarist and singer Johnny Copeland was born March 27, 1937, in Haynesville, Louisiana. He formed the Dukes of Rhythm in Houston and made his recording debut in 1956. Though early records saw limited success, he became a popular touring blues artist and won Blues Entertainer of the Year in 1983. Copeland was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2017. 

“Cripple” Clarence Lofton, born March 28, 1887, was a Chicago boogie-woogie pianist known for his energetic performances that combined singing, dancing, and powerful piano playing. Originally a tap dancer, he became a major figure in Chicago’s blues and barrelhouse scene. Lofton recorded beginning in 1935 with Big Bill Broonzy and influenced many boogie-woogie pianists. He later ran the Big Apple nightclub before retiring from music. Lofton died January 9, 1957.

Alright blues fans, that’s just a quick stop on this week’s ride through blues history. If you want to dig deeper into the artists and stories behind the music, roll over to Big Train Blues dot com and explore the archives. You can also follow us on social media and keep the blues rolling all week long.

We’ll be back next week with another episode packed with more legends, history, and blues stories. We’ll see you at the next stop.