Robert Curtis Smith

Robert Curtis Smith
Also known as R. C. Smith
Born February 17, 1930
Cruger, Mississippi, United States
Died November 10, 2010(2010-11-10) (aged 80)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres Piedmont blues[1]
Occupation(s) Singer, guitarist, songwriter
Instruments Vocals, guitar
Years active 1960s
Labels Bluesville Records

Robert Curtis Smith (February 17, 1930 – November 10, 2010)[2] was an African American Piedmont blues singer, guitarist and songwriter.[1]

Smith was influenced by Big Bill Broonzy.[1] He released one album on Bluesville Records in 1963.[3]

Biography

Smith was born in, or around, Cruger, Mississippi, United States.[4] He worked as a poor farm labourer in upper Mississippi, where he and his wife raised eight children. He first played the blues guitar in 1948.[2] He left the Delta area twice in hope of finding alternative employment in either Chicago or Texas, but each time returned to his birthplace.[4] In 1960, by chance, he met Paul Oliver and Chris Strachwitz in Wade Walton's Big Six barber shop in Clarksdale, Mississippi. This led to him recording some tracks that year and in 1961, which in turn saw the release of The Blues of Robert Curtis Smith: Clarksdale Blues in 1963.[1][2] One of his songs, "Council Spur Blues", made direct references to the conditions on the plantation where he worked.[4][5]

In 1968, he left the Mississippi again for Chicago, where he spent the remainder of his life. Around this time he auditioned for a place in Willie Dixon's backing band.[4] He later joined the church and left the blues for a gospel music existence.[1] Walton eventually tracked him down and, in 1997, Smith appeared at the Sunflower River Blues Festival in Clarksdale, playing purely gospel songs.[6]

Smith died in Chicago in November 2010, aged 80.[2][4]

Discography

Album

Year Title Record label
1963 The Blues of Robert Curtis Smith: Clarksdale Blues Bluesville Records

[2][7]

Single

Year Title Record label
1961 "Don't Drive Me Away" Arhoolie Records

[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Robert Curtis Smith Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "R.C. Smith discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  3. ↑ "Robert Curtis Smith – The Blues Of Robert Curtis Smtih". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Council Spur Blues - Robert Curtis Smith, RIP". Jeffcrompton.blogspot.co.uk. 2010-12-08. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  5. ↑ "Robert Curtis Smith – Clarksdale Blues". Swanfungus.com. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  6. ↑ "Council Spur Blues - Robert Curtis Smith, RIP". December 8, 2010. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  7. ↑ "Clarksdale Blues | Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-09-16.

External links

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