Hammie Nixon
Hammie Nixon (January 22, 1908 – August 17, 1984)[1] was an American harmonica player.
Hammie Nixon | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Hammie Nickerson |
| Born | January 22, 1908 Brownsville, Tennessee, United States |
| Died | August 17, 1984 (aged 76) Jackson, Tennessee, United States |
| Genres | Country blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Harmonica, kazoo, guitar |
| Years active | 1920's to 1980's |
| Labels | Victor Records |
Life and career
Born Hammie Nickerson in Brownsville, Tennessee,[2] he began his music career with jug bands in the 1920s. He is best known as a country blues harmonica player, but he also played the kazoo, guitar and jug. He played with the guitarist Sleepy John Estes for half a century, first recording with Estes in 1929 for Victor Records.[1] He also recorded with Little Buddy Doyle, Lee Green, Clayton T. Driver, Charlie Pickett and Son Bonds.[1]
During the 1920s Nixon helped to pioneer the use of the harmonica as a rhythm instrument in a band setting, rather than as a novelty solo instrument. After Estes died in 1979, Nixon played with the Beale Street Jug Band (also called the Memphis Jug Band). Nixon's last recording, "Tappin' That Thing" (Hmg Records), was recorded shortly before his death in 1984, in Jackson, Tennessee.[2]
References
- Michael Erlewine. "Hammie Nixon | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
- Doc Rock. "The 1980s". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved October 5, 2015.