This Week In The Blues: May 24 - May 30, 2026

HEY BLUES FANS

Here's the latest episode of "This Week In The Blues" for the week of May 24 - May 30, 2026.

Some of the highlights include blues singer Mamie Smith, when the blues standard "Walkin' Blues" was recorded, and blues guitarist Lazy Bill Lucas.

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:

Son House - "Walkin' Blues" - https://youtu.be/R7NfJL5lbIk?si=qhfYyrTVFj47mCc8

Mamie Smith - "Crazy Blues (1920)" - https://youtu.be/qaz4Ziw_CfQ?si=q-58JT70I432EOBx

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

Blues guitarist John Arthur Lee was born May 24, 1915 in Mount Willing, Alabama. He developed a distinctive slide guitar style influenced by family and early blues greats. Lee gained a regional following in the 1930s and ’40s before recording in 1951 for Ralph Bass, leading to two 1952 releases on Federal Records. His “Down at the Depot” became a standout track. Lee was rediscovered in 1973 by Gayle Dean Wardlow, and he recorded a comeback album in 1974. Lee died October 11, 1977, in Montgomery, Alabama.

St. Louis barrelhouse pianist James Crutchfield was born May 25, 1912 and his career spanned decades. Raised in Louisiana and Texas, he turned fully to music after a 1927 accident. He developed a powerful, percussive style influenced by Little Brother Montgomery and Champion Jack Dupree. Active in St. Louis area clubs, he experienced a revival in the 1980s and later mentored younger musicians. Known as the “King of Barrelhouse Blues,” Crutchfield died December 7, 2001, in St. Louis.

Blues singer Mamie Smith was born May 26, 1891, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She became a trailblazer as the first African American artist to record vocal blues in 1920. Starting young in touring acts, she later performed in Harlem clubs before recording for Okeh Records. Her early releases, backed by white musicians, achieved commercial success and helped open the recording industry to more Black blues artists, marking a turning point in music history.

Brother John Sellers was born May 27, 1924, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He spent his formative musical years performing in gospel tent shows. He later expanded into folk and blues, recording for Vanguard Records and working with Big Bill Broonzy. He was a key figure in New York’s folk revival, and collaborated with Alvin Ailey. Sellers died March 27, 1999, in Manhattan.

The blues standard "Walkin' Blues" was recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin on May 28 in 1930 by Son House, who was also the song writer.  Although not issued at the time, it was part of House's repertoire. It was performed and recorded by other musicians, including Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, as they adapted the song and recorded their own versions.

Lazy Bill Lucas was born May 29, 1918, in Wynne, Arkansas. He helped shape Chicago’s blues scene after moving north in the 1940s. He performed in clubs and on the streets before switching from guitar to piano in 1950, working as a sideman with various bands. Later relocating to Minneapolis, he became a key figure in that city’s blues community and, in 1979, began hosting a radio show that further cemented his influence.

Blues guitarist Rick Holmstrom was born May 30, 1965, in Fairbanks, Alaska. He is known for blending traditional blues with modern experimentation. He gained early recognition with William Clarke and later worked with Rod Piazza and Johnny Dyer. His solo work, including Hydraulic Groove, pushed stylistic boundaries. Holmstrom has also collaborated with artists like Jimmy Rogers and serves as bandleader for Mavis Staples.

Alright blues fans, if you want to know more about these stories or other things that happened this week in the blues, then head over to BigTrainBlues.com and explore the archives. Better yet, follow us on social media and see every blues history post. We’ll be back next week with more blues stories, legends, and history. Until then, we will See you at the next stop!