User:Holden Guile/"Chicago Bob Nelson"

BIOGRAPHY
Chicago Bob Nelson is a harmonica player and singer who is known for amalgamating Louisiana and Chicago blues styles. Robert Lee "Chicago Bob" Nelson was born on July 4, 1944 in Bogalusa, Louisiana. His was a musical family. Bob's father, Versie Nelson, played upright bass and harmonica. From a very early age Bob accompanied Versie to house parties, backyard barbecues and Saturday night fish fries around Bogalusa where Cajun music, Zydeco and blues were performed. Bob recalls, "It was just people eating, jamming and having a good time!" Bob began playing the harmonica at age 8. As a youngster Bob was encouraged and instructed by Versie's musical cohorts, Louisiana blues legends Slim Harpo(James Moore) and Lazy Lester(Leslie Johnson). Bob credits Harpo, Lester, Sonny Boy Williamson II (Aleck Miller)and Jimmy Reed(all of whom he knew)as his primary influences, as well as Sonny Boy (John Lee) Williamson whose recordings he studied. Through listening to these artists Bob learned to use his instrument as a "second voice" to interpret and elucidate the emotion and themes of a song. Trips to Chicago to visit family were a major part of Bob's childhood. By the early 1960's he had taken residence there. It was in the Windy City that he met and performed with Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Earl Hooker and Muddy Waters. The latter, having run into Bob at nearly every blues venue in Chicago, bestowed upon Bob the moniker that continues to identify him today. Chicago Bob would later perform with Muddy Waters at the Newport Folk Festival. Through out his career Chicago Bob has toured extensively with Luther "Snake Boy" Johnson, Tinsley Ellis and John Lee Hooker. Now residing in Atlanta Georgia, Chicago Bob Nelson continues to tour and record internationally.

Discography:

 * "The Heart Fixers" [w/ Tinsley Ellis and the Heart Fixers] Southland Records;
 * "Live At The Moonshadow" [w/ Tinsley Ellis and the Heart Fixers] Landslide Records;
 * "Just Your Fool" Highwater Records;
 * "Comin' Back Strong" Erwin Music;
 * "Hit and Run Lover" King Snake Records;
 * "Back to Bogalusa" King Snake Records;
 * "Keep What I Got" Planisphare
 * "Flyin' Too High" 95 North records