FATHER OF THE BLUES: W.C. HANDY

W. C. Handy is one of the nation’s most influential

songwriters in blues music history

Handy was introduced to the blues by an unlikely source: a slide guitarist in a nearby railroad station, noting later in his biography that “The tune did stay in my mind”

Penning the world’s first commercially successful blues song, Handy came into fame over a century ago introducing, the nation to a genre of music that took off running and hasn’t slowed since

Handy published “Memphis Blues” in 1912 and sold the song rights to a printer for $50. Lyrics were added and the hit “Memphis Blues” was born, inadvertently making Handy a pioneer who was later credited as the inspiration behind the Fox Trot

Inspired by his credited success from “Memphis Blues” and looking to make a bigger financial impact, Handy partnered with Memphis businessman Harry Pace and published the hit song “The St. Louis Blues”

Initial success resulted in a string of hits including, the “Hesitation Blues,” “Joe Turner’s Blues,” “Yellow Dog Blues,” and “Careless Love,” earning Handy a small fortune.

Famous for his musical accomplishments and an advocate for African-American musicians, W.C. Handy – the Father of the Blues – will forever remain

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