Jefferson, Blind Lemon
Bad Luck Blues
Lemon Jefferson was born in the fall of 1893 in Couchman, Texas. Blind from birth, and the youngest of seven children, Jefferson started as an itinerant entertainer in his teens, playing a repertoire of prison songs, blues, moans and dance numbers from Texas to Chicago. Known to be one of the first blues singers to record 'race records' (records specifically marketed to african americans), Jefferson also recorded spirituals using the pseudonym DEACON L.J. BATES. He died in 1929 from uncertained circumstances and became one of the most influential bluesman of the 20th centaury.