Jerry McCain
Jerry McCain, noted Blues performer, was born in 1930 in Gadsden, Alabama. One of five children of a poor family, many of his siblings became involved in music as well, most notably his brother, Walter, who played drums on some early records. Jerry picked up the harp from itinerant musicians "Chick" and "Shorty" who played at the local bars (and streetcorners) when Jerry was young.
Biography
He also was a fan of the music of little Walter and met the artist when he traveled to Gadsden for a show. Different versions of the story have little Walter introducing him to his first record producer (Lillian McMurray, of Diamond Records Inc. usually sold under the name Trumpet Records), or inspiring him to write the first song he recorded for Trumpet Records....
However the first contact was made, he made his vinyl debut in 1953 under the name "Boogie McCain" for the Trumpet Label, playing with his brother, Walter McCain, on drums. After recruiting new drummer Christopher Collins, who would be with him throughout most of his career, he went on to the Excello Label. During his years with the Excello label (1955-57) he developed his amplified Harmonica style, and unusual Blues lyrics. The Excello Label period saw the release of such noted songs as "The Jig's Up", and "My Next Door Neighbor". His later recording for Rex Records "She's Tough/Steady" was an inspiration to The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Kim Wilson did his best to duplicate Jerry's harp work on their version...
In 1989, after a period spent performing and touring with lesser known bands, Jerry signed with Ichiban Records, and released the albums: "Blues and Stuff", "Struttin' My Stuff",and "Love Desperado". This saw a resurgence of interest in his "big Harp style". During the time Jerry was signed with Ichiban, he also released one record on the Jericho label, "This Stuff Just Kills Me",which was an all star album featuring such noted performers as Jimmie Vaughan and Johnnie Johnson. In 2002 Ichiban released an album called "American Roots: Blues" featuring Jerry McCain.
Jerry also released noted singles and albums for Columbia, under their Okeh label (1962), and for the Nashville based Jewel (1965-68) record label. The complete collection of his Jewel label records are available on a compilation CD and in recent years several of his early recordings have been released on "retrospective" and Compilation Cds, including the Verose Vintage album "Good Stuff". His longest partner,Ichiban records, also released several retrospectives in the '90s, including ICH1516-2:"Jerry McCain". (Their other notable retrospective albums being: ICH1513: "Luther 'Houserocker' Johnson", ICH 1514:"Gary B.B. Coleman", and ICH 1515 Trudy Lynn.)
Jerry McCains work was featured on track 8 of the Rhino records "Blues Masters
Volume Four: Harmonica Classics" in an almost lost recording of "Steady" which sadly cuts out after 2 minutes of some of the best
of Jerry's harmonica work. Jerry's inclusion in the Blues master series, alongside such notables as Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, Junior
Wells, Howlin' Wolf, Snooky Pryor, and
His last release, "This Stuff Just Kills Me" recorded for Cello Records, promised to be his entry into a more comfortable future, but after Cello Records (a division of Warner Bros. Records) folded, Jerry is once again without a label. Now he has signed with Music Maker.
The City of Gadsden has honored Jerry by including his own day at their annual Riverfest Event [1] a four day music event. The addition of The Jerry McCain Broad Street Blues Bash rounded out the entertainment and allowed many local citizens to experience Jerry - live and in living color, (to use one of his phrases). A commemorative CD, featuring some of Jerry's best music, was compiled for sale at the 1997 Riverfest Event.
On a personal level, Jerry still lives in Gadsden with his sixteen year old grandson, Joe, who he has raised almost all of his life. Jerry was married briefly twice before he married his third wife - the love of his life - Jean Spanks. Jean and Jerry did EVERYTHING together. They were a perfect example of a loving, devoted couple. They shared the raising of his grandchildren, fishing, gardening, and many other pastimes. Jean passed away in March of 1997 after a courageous struggle with cancer. She was diagnosed on Thanksgiving week-end of 1996. Jean endured surgery and chemotherapy, but to no avail. She deteriorated rapidly and had three stays in the hospital during her next three months. Jeans funeral was in Gadsden and she is buried at Rainbow Memorial Gardens. Jerry had the following inscribed on her headstone: "I had three marriages, but Doris Jean was my only wife". He has built a memorial flower garden in their back year and has erected a fountain in the front yard in her memory. Jerry has had a very difficult time since the death of his beloved Jean.
Discography
- 1977 : "This stuff just kills me" (Music Maker) with John Primer.
- 2001 : "Unplugged" (Music Maker)
- 2003 : "Boogie is my name" (Music Maker)
External links
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