ELMORE JAMES, JR.’S BIOGRAPHY
Elmore James, Jr. (born Earnest Johnson on August 21, 1939) is the undisputed son of the legendary bluesman, Elmore James and restaurateur, Nora Mae Johnson. Though he grew up down south, Earnest was taught to play and sing when his famous father would occasionally visit their hometown, Richmond, Mississippi. Sometimes the young Earnest would even hop a train to see his Dad in the Windy City.
After reaping financial success from his hit record Dust My Broom, Elmore James, Sr. returned south to give Earnest and Nora Mae some money and a 1951 Cadillac. At this time, Earnest was singing and drumming with Johnnie Temple and Willie Nix.
Tragically, 1963 saw Elmore James die from a sudden heart attack. Two years later, Earnest made the inevitable move north to follow in his father’s musical footsteps. Upon arrival in Chicago, Earnest immediately looked up Willie Dixon from an address furnished by Johnnie Temple.
Dixon was impressed enough to offer to record him, then suggested changing his then-current stage name from “Earnest Jr. - Mr. Soul†to “Elmore James, Jr.â€. For a various reasons, a session never did materialize; partially because Dixon’s desired session axe-man, Louis Myers, was out of town at the time.
From 1969 through the late 1970’s, Elmore James, Jr. spent his days working at the Tender Crust Bakery and his evenings as featured vocalist with The Aces at the famed Theresa’s Lounge and Ma Bea’s Lounge.
Elmore eventually wound up recording in the 1970’s for CJ Records, but even those sessions never saw the light of day. Later, accompanied by the excellent Sam Myers, Big Bad Smitty and Johnny Littlejohn, Elmore finally recorded for Johnny Vincent’s Legendary Ace label. Four of those thirty songs got pressed and can now be found on a 1999 CD called “Genuine Mississippi Blues… Plus†on the Westside Records out of the U.K. Elmore also released a live CD in 2005, but is looking forward to touring the world and releasing a new record on a prestigious international label to be announced later this year.
CADILLAC ZACK’S BIOGRAPHY
Elmore James, Jr.'s manager and bandmate, Cadillac Zack spent his formative years on the still-bustling Chicago blues scene of the early 1990's. Learning from such luminaries as Magic Slim, Eddie C. Campbell and Little Smokey Smothers, he has worked with a who’s who of authentic blues acts over the last fifteen years. Originally from Boston, now the Los Angeles–based blues record producer, guitarist/vocalist, and concert promoter has recently recorded sessions with Willie Pooch, Eddie Shaw, Detroit Jr., Lacy Gibson and Little Bobby Too Tough.
He owes much of his style to the Westside Chicago blues tradition, citing influences such as Johnny B. Moore, Eddie Taylor, Willie James Lyons, Albert King, Bobby King, Sammy Lawhorn and Johnny Heartsman.
More information about booking Elmore James, Jr. can be found by emailing Zack at [email protected] or by visiting www.cadillaczack.comPlain MySpace Layouts by Iron Spider
