Jerry McCain

Jerry McCain, often billed as Jerry "Boogie" McCain (June 18, 1930 – March 28, 2012),[1] was an American electric blues musician,[2] best known as a harmonica player.[3]

Jerry McCain
Background information
Birth nameJerry B. McCain
Also known asJerry "Boogie" McCain
Born(1930-06-19)June 19, 1930
near Gadsden, Alabama, United States
DiedMarch 28, 2012(2012-03-28) (aged 81)
Gadsden, Alabama, U.S.
GenresBlues
InstrumentsHarmonica, guitar, vocals
Years active1940s–2000s
LabelsTrumpet, Excello, OKeh, Jewel, Romulus, Ichiban

Biography

Born near Gadsden, Alabama, United States, he was one of five children of a poor family. Many of his siblings also became involved in music, most notably his brother, Walter, who played drums on some early recordings.[1] McCain picked up the harmonica from itinerant musicians "Chick" and "Shorty" who played at the local bars (and street corners) when he was young.

McCain was a fan of the music of Little Walter and met the artist when, in 1953, he traveled to Gadsden for a show.[1] McCain's recording debut came via Trumpet Records the same year under the name "Boogie McCain", with his brother Walter on drums. The two tracks were "East of the Sun" and "Wine-O-Wine". After recruiting 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 (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 duplicated McCain's harp work on their version.[1]

McCain also released singles and albums for Columbia, under their Okeh Records label (1962), and for the Shreveport-based Jewel (1965–68) record label.[1] The complete collection of his Jewel label records are available on a compilation album 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 1990s, including ICH1516-2: Jerry McCain.

In 1989, after a period spent performing and touring with lesser known bands, McCain signed with Ichiban Records, and released the albums: Blues and Stuff, Struttin' My Stuff, and Love Desperado. During his time with Ichiban, McCain also released one record on the Jericho label, This Stuff Just Kills Me, which featured Jimmie Vaughan and Johnnie Johnson.[1] His 1977 release, This Stuff Just Kills Me eventually appeared on the Music Maker label.

In 2002, Ichiban released an album called American Roots: Blues featuring McCain.[1] McCain's abridged work was featured on track 8 of the Rhino Records Blues Masters Volume Four: Harmonica Classics, with an almost lost recording of "Steady". McCain's inclusion in the Blues Master series, was alongside Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, Junior Wells, Howlin' Wolf, Snooky Pryor, and George "Harmonica" Smith.

The City of Gadsden honored McCain by including his own day at their annual Riverfest Event;[4] 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 McCain. A commemorative CD, featuring some of McCain's music, was compiled for sale at the 1997 Riverfest Event. In 1996, McCain was selected by the Etowah Youth Orchestras as the most well-known musician from Gadsden. The EYO commissioned the composer Julius Williams to write a work for solo harmonica and orchestra, to be performed by McCain and the Etowah Youth Symphony Orchestra, as a part of the City of Gadsden's Sesquicentennial Celebration. "Concerto for Blues Harmonica and Orchestra" was premiered in November 1996, on the EYO's Fall Formal Concert at Wallace Hall, on the campus of Gadsden State Community College. McCain performed the solo harmonica part with the EYSO, under the direction of Michael R. Gagliardo. The "Concerto" was subsequently performed in Alice Tully Hall, at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City in June 1997, with McCain, the EYSO, and Julius Williams conducting.

Discography

Albums
  • 1973 : Jerry McCain (Romulus R-108)
  • 1978 : Living Legend (Zeus S-1021)
  • 1979 : Blues on the Move Robox EQL-1912)
  • 1979 : Choo Choo Rock (White Label WLP 9966) Demo recordings for Excello Records 1955-1957
  • 1980 : Black & Blues (Gas Company GAS 1001) reissued as Black Blues Is Back 1989 (GAS 1001)
  • 1981 : Southern Harp,Cadillac & The Blues (P-Vine PLP-715) Japan
  • 1986 : Bad Blues Is My Business (BAD 30001)
  • 1987 : Midnight Beat (Charly CRB 1148) UK
  • 1989 : Blues 'n' Stuff (Ichiban ICHCD 1047)
  • 1991 : Love Desperado (Ichiban ICHCD 9008)
  • 1991 : Rockin' Harmonica Blues Man with Kid Thomas (Wolf WBJ 018)
  • 1992 : Struttin' My Stuff (Ichiban/Wild Dog ICH-9020-CD)
  • 1993 : Jerry 'Boogie' McCain and Others - Strange Kind of Feelin' (Alligator) 1950s recordings
  • 1993 : I've Got The Blues All Over Me (Ichiban/Wild Dog ICH-9106-2)
  • 1995 : That's What They Want: The Best Of (AVI/Excello CD 3009)
  • 1996 : Turn Your Damper Down (Black & Allright LP001)
  • 1997 : Rock'n'Roll Ball (Atomic Bomb LP 701)
  • 1997 : Broad Street Blues Bash (Riverfest CD001)
  • 1998 : The Jig's Up: Complete 50's Recordings (JMC CD2111)
  • 1998 : Retospectives (Ichiban ICH 1516-2)
  • 1999 : This Stuff Just Kills Me (Music Maker) with John Primer.
  • 1999 : Good Stuff! (Varèse Sarabande VSD-6022)
  • 2000 : Somebody's Been Talking: The Complete Jewel Singles 1965-72 (Westside WESM 625)
  • 2000 : Soul Shag (Sterling 20702) UK
  • 2000 : This Stuff Just Kills Me (Jericho/Cello 90005-2)
  • 2000 : Southern Harp Attack with Frank Frost (P-Vine PCD-24047) Japan
  • 2001 : Unplugged (Music Maker JM 200)
  • 2001 : Absolutely The Best:Complete Jewel Singles 1965-1972 (Varèse Sarabande/Fuel2000 302061098-2)
  • 2002 : American Roots: Blues (Ichiban CD 1018)
  • 2003 : Boogie Is My Name (Music Maker MMCD 34)
  • 2008 : Better Late Than Never – The Greatest Hits 2 CD (Boogie Down Records 2008)

[5]

Singles
YearA-SideB-SideArtistRecord Label
1953East of the sunWine-O-WineJerry McCain & His OrchestraTrumpet 217
1953Ooh Wee BabyFeel Just Like I'm in LoveJerry "Boogie" McCainTrumpet 218
1954Stay out of AutomobilesLove to Make UpJerry "Boogie" McCainTrumpet 231
1954Crazy 'Bout that MessFall GuyJerry McCainTrumpet 232
1955That's what They WantCourtin' in a CadillacJerry McCain & His UpstartsExcello 2068
1956If it wasn't for my BabyYou Don't Love me No MoreJerry McCain & His UpstartsExcello 2079
1956Run, Uncle John, RunThings ain't RightJerry McCain & His UpstartsExcello 2081
1957My Next Door NeighborTrying to PleaseJerry McCain & His UpstartsExcello 2103
1957Listen, Young GirlsBad CreditJerry McCain & His UpstartsExcello 2111
1957Groom without a BrideThe Jig's UpJerry McCain & His UpstartsExcello 2127
1960She's ToughSteadyJerry McCainRex 1014
1962Red TopTwist '62Jerry McCainOkeh 7150
1962Run Back HomeJet StreamJerry McCain & His HarmonicaOkeh 7157
1962PopcornJet StreamJerry McCainOkeh 7158
1963Turn the Lights on PopeyeHop StrollJerry McCainOkeh 7170
1965Courtin' in a CadillacCourtin' in a CadillacJerry McCain & Blues RockersExcello 2268
1965Here's Where You Get ItPokeyJerry McCainRik's 153-65
1965Love me RightTing-Tang-TigaluJerry McCainContinental C-777-1/2
1965Shimmy Shimmy ShamPussycat A Go GoThe Shindigs feat. Jerry McCainEsco Prod. 100
1965EdnaShe's RighteousJerry McCainEsco Prod. 101
1965728 TexasHomogenized LoveJerry McCainJewel 753
1966Honky TonkSugar BabyJerry McCainJewel 761
1966Love ain't Nothing to Play WithShe's Crazy 'bout EntertainersJerry McCainJewel 773
1967Juicy LucyPut it Where I Can Get ItJerry McCainJewel 790
1969Homogenized Love728 TexasJerry McCainPython PKM 02
1970Welfare Cadillac BluesFunky Down EasyJerry McCainRoyal American RA-4
1970The CockfightI'm in TroubleJerry McCainRoyal American RA-14
1972Somebody's Been talkingSoul SpasmJerry McCainJewel 828
1973Rainin' in My HeartKing BeeJerry McCainRomulus R-1001
1973The Woodpecker SongHot NutsJerry McCainRomulus R-1004
1977SteadyShe's ToughJerry McCainGAS 1101
1977Ruff StuffWhat About YouJerry McCainGAS 1102
1979Blues on the MoveCost of LivingJerry McCainRobox EQ 1904
1980Love WhipIf I'm your FoolJerry McCainGAS 106
1984Hot NutsThe Woodpecker SongJerry McCainMerit M45-2508
1985Long Tall TexanIf I'm your FoolJerry McCainMerit M45-2514
1986She Tore me upA Little Bit of SomethingJerry McCainBAD 1001
198653 Year Old ManYour Place or MineJerry McCainBAD 1002
1989She's ToughSoul ShagJerry McCainHeart HR 1961
1990Trying to PleaseMy Next Door NeighborJerry McCain & His UpstartsDelta 6 (promo)
1991Burn the Crackhouse downBlues TributeJerry McCainIchiban 92-242
1992VoteStrut My StuffJerry McCainIchiban 92-264
1994Tumblin' in the SeaTeddy BearJerry McCainIchiban 94-295
2001Geronimo Rock & RollChoo Choo RockJerry McCainNorton 855
2001A Cutie named Judyit must be LoveJerry McCainNorton 856
2001I'm a Ding Dong DaddyBell in my HeartJerry McCainNorton 857
2001My Next Door NeighborCrying Like a FoolJerry McCainNorton 858
2001Rock'n'Roll BallI Want Somebody to LoveJerry McCainNorton 859

References
  1. "Biography by Bill Dahl and Al Campbell". Allmusic.com. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  2. Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music (1st ed.). Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 181. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
  3. Carter, Kendra. "Legendary bluesman Jerry Boogie McCain dies". GadsdenTimes.com. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  4. "Gadsden RiverFest homepage". Gadsdenriverfest.com. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
  5. "WangDangDula.com : Jerry McCain discography". Koti.mbnet.fi. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
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