Sam Chatmon

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Sam Chatmon (January 10, 1897-1983), was a Delta blues guitarist and singer. He was a member of the Mississippi Sheiks and half-brother to Charley Patton.

Sam was born in Bolton, Mississippi. Chatmon's family was well-known in Mississippi for their musical talents; Chatmon was a member of the family's string band when he was young. He performed on a regular basis for white audiences in the 1900's<ref>http://Chatmon-www.blueflamecafe.com</ref>.

The Chatmon band played rags, ballads, and popular dance tunes. Two of Sam's brothers, fiddler Lonnie Chatmon and guitarist Bo Carter, performed with guitarist Walter Vinson as the Mississippi Sheiks.

Chatmon played the banjo, mandolin, and harmonica in addition to the guitar. He performed at parties and on street corners throughout Mississippi for small pay and tips. In the 1930's he recorded with the Sheiks as well as with Lonnie as the Chatman Brothers.

Chatmon moved to Hollandale, Mississippi in the early 1940's and worked on plantations in Hollandale. He was rediscovered in 1960 and started a new chapter of his career as folk-blues artist. In 1960 Sam recorded for the Arhoolie label. He toured extensively during the 1960s and 1970s. He played many of the largest and best-known folk festivals, including the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C. in 1972, the Mariposa Fest in Toronto in 1974, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1976.

[edit] Timeline

1897 - Born in Bolton, Mississippi
1900 - Played for white audiences
1930 - Recorded with the Sheiks, Lonnie and the Chatman Brothers
1940 - Moved to Hollandale, Mississippi, to work on plantations
1960 - Rediscovered as a folk-blues artist,he also recorded for the Arhoolie Label
1970 - Performed with Fingers Taylor on the Blues Caravan
1972 - Played many of his largest and best-known folk festivals
1974 - Played the Mariposa Fest in Toronto
1976 - Played the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
1983 - Died